Thanking female teachers, nurses
As 2022 ended, then onwards into this still “new” year, the world’s media, which, seemingly, revels in bad, very bad, news, transmitted global death and destruction to all who bother.
Buffalo, New York U.S.A saw mass murder, deadly snow storms and a popular young footballer suffering severe cardiac arrest on the field of play. Elsewhere in the U.S.A and around the globe there were/are deadly floodings and fires. Drought is killing and maiming even babies in eastern Africa. Conflicts take innocent lives and disrupt peaceful existence from Somalia and the Congo to Kashmir to Peru and Ukraine. Are these societal and international plagues all part of some divine prophecy? Can’t human–beings behave better than lower mammals?
Meanwhile back in relatively peaceful Guyana – where less than a million dwell amongst diverse bounty and resources – the drums of race are being beat louder. Why?
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Drums of discrimination – racial and economic
Just after the Ali/Jagdeo re-assumption of government in early August 2020, a murderous incident on the WCB offered instant immediate opportunity to beat loudly anti-Indo drums. Murders of two Afro-youth provided outlets for race-based physical attacks, lootings then; – all repeated in Mon Repos a few months ago. Just why the beatings of those race drums and of actual indos? And by whom?
Well we are told that (from an illegitimate, installed, apartheid, PPP government) there seems to be some deliberate structured strategy to discriminate against, and deny equal opportunity for Afro-Guyanese. Thus alleged discontent.
I digress to remind that too often opposition groups find it dangerously convenient – even “tactical” – to employ the bogey of racial discrimination when other usual opposition–friendly allegations wear thin or are not (emotionally) effective for the intended purpose. And the constitution and anti-race laws are routinely ignored.
Too many in opposition to PPP governments know only too well why Afro-Guyanese can’t compete successfully against “Indian” initiatives and enterprises. Traditionally after slavery and indentureship “Indians” remained in agriculture and used that as their economic base to enter the professions, commerce and industry. Too many Afroes just loved uniforms and public service and trades. (Today only Charles Ceres utilised resources and training to prepare in good time, for the oil and gas realities.)
Frankly speaking, even as accountability mechanisms must ensure equitable distribution of assistance from oil, sugar, gold, diamonds, bauxite, marine products – all national income–earning activity – political and civic groups should not conveniently beat drums of division and race with their constant racial drumbeats. I know that sometimes there is really little else to keep the opposition busy”; but who gains in the end? Who are better–positioned to survive racial divisions?
I advise opposition entities to compile, with credible factual evidence, instances of governmental discrimination against “Africans”, to present in courts of law or courts of Guyanese public opinion. I ask PNC comrade Norton whether there is proof that the government, over past months, is using racial bias against the Mocha squatters. Check what a PNC coalition junior female minister advised squatters during the Brigadier–President’s 2015-2020 tenure. A peaceful 2023.
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“Sugar votes” and “oil money” beyond the budget
My first name is Allan. But I can’t avoid being “Frank”. And brief and pointed. The sugar industry is costing us vulgar sums of money to keep afloat. The Brigadier–President had the right ideas but wrong approaches. Just how long could our sugar sector survive profitably?
I say to the PPP government: frankly speaking, your sugar-workers seem bound to vote for you always. So moderate expenditures on the industry. And I wonder: can GAWU advise professionally?
Meanwhile, as national budget 2023 looms (on Monday next), this newspaper (Jan 05, 2023) informs us that government has US $1.007 billion “available” to it from our “oil monies”. It quotes a formula as stipulated in the Natural Resource Fund Act. What good technical reporting! What great news!! Let’s all get interested for Monday and the Finance Minister, Doctor Ashni.
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Hailing our Guyanese lady-professionals
Our population is small; still given to migration. But recently it all hit me. Our statistics indicate that we have more females than males amongst us.
And as an “old teacher” I realise that 90% of our nurses and teachers right now are females. Just in those two vital professions!
Our ladies are there for us! From engineers and scientists to security guards, females represent! Treasure them, you fellas.
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Just imagine! Ponder…
Should we not thank retired Guyanese-American citizens whose American pensions empower them?
As a long-time illegal squatter how can one qualify for a free government house-lot?
Repeat: I am supporting all the polling day reforms as requested by the PNC/APNU outfit. Please, please grant them GECOM
I recommend some writers of Editorials to become government executive functionaries to get practical things done.
`Til next week
