Dear Editor,
Something so unknown as to be extinct occurred on Wednesday. It happened in New York City in the tight mayoral nomination race, and sets an example for politicians the world over, and ordinary people, too. Though the world in which we live matters, I am more focused on developments here, and as they relate to the political realm. In the peculiar and unprecedented ranking system employed there, former police captain and Borough President, Eric Adams, emerged as the (Democratic Party’s) nominee by a flea’s whisker. In horseracing language, Mr. Adams won by the shortest of short noses. That is, less than a 1% differential (8,500 votes) between his tally and that of the nearest contestant. In such a close finish, there is recipe for political theater cum individual vanity layered with legal creativity. What is different is that there are none of those unsavory ingredients in the NYC mayoral candidacy race. I repeat: in an extremely close contest, there came early conceding from the challengers. Disappointed they are, I am sure; perhaps, upset and dismayed, too. But Ms. Maya Wiley and Ms. Kathryn Garcia both conceded gracefully within hours of the final count being made public. It is the way it should be absent skullduggery. Though rare and rarer, it would be inspiring, so refreshing, to observe more and more of this political and individual decency.
It didn’t happen in nearby Trinidad, and the same can be said for Surinam. The record testifies that refusing to concede, even when the entire wall is covered with one kind of undeniable, unchallengeable writing, has become the settled norm. It can be a passionate norm leading to the worst expectations and consequences, including the lethal. I tender the extended United States election of 2020, and where and how it concluded. If such a sordid situation could happen there, then what about elsewhere? What about here, which is exactly what occurred for an extended period? I understand the dynamics of power can be all consuming, and compel men and women to the unimagined and self-destructive, but there must be a limit, where certain lines are not gone beyond. I understand, also, what it means to come out on the losing column, and how searing that can be when it is so close. It is when our minds take over and play tricks with our sense of honour, if such was present in the first place. When losing is not an option, when hell is contemplated to be unleashed, if things are not willed, and do not, favour our way. I think we can learn from Maya Wiley and Kathryn Garcia, but of which learning, I am sure that there are many here who have no such interest or inclination. Taking this into arenas besides the heated political, I think we must be man and woman enough, self-respecting enough, and principled enough to admit to lapse, to falling short, to tendering apologies. I encourage those; it would be delightful for me to live what I exhort.
Sincerely,
GHK Lall
