(In tribute to the late columnist Allan Fenty, Stabroek News will be running some of his earlier columns in his regular Friday slot. This piece was taken from the December 31, 1999 edition of Stabroek News)
In many countries of the Western world using the calendar we use, today marks the end of the year. And the Christianity-related system says this year is 1999, which means, for many, today is the last day of the nineties.
(Mind you, Western-minded, you Latin/ Roman scholars, must not forget that there are millions who don’t share this system of measuring and counting years and annual milestones. Respect their way too.)
Stretching the concept a bit, I would suggest that the sum total of the method and manner of observing the year’s end by each of us. – And the status we (each) enjoy or endure, especially socially and economically, can reflect the state of the nation collectively. Outsiders, using particular indices and criteria also rate us for their specific reasons.
I’m too timid and (alas) conservative to pass judgement publicly today, though I have my own strong views. I encourage you to contemplate Guyana’s fortunes on this final day of the nineties, compared to the first day of the year. Individually and collectively, has there been qualitative change for the better? How come? Why not? Are sugar workers, public servants, teachers or housewives satisfied?
How do you judge the role that government, big business, spiritual leaders, drug barons, opposition politicians or petty criminals played in placing the country at this stage today, thirty-first December 1999?
For now, I’ll be a shy, cowardly journalistic fence-sitter and leave assessments to you dear friend, fan, foe and Guyanese. You’ll hear enough from me next year.
On sovereignty and saviours
Pity if you missed my signal, shortest Christmas Eve column last Friday in which I discussed briefly the concept of a nation’s sovereignty vis-a-vis the need for economic saviours.
I couldn’t develop it then, nor could I today. But I wish to add a few points to those I introduced last week.
The potential Beal Aerospace Spaceport in the Waini motivated many to articulate their “sovereignty” at an open forum two Fridays ago. Individual patriots and alleged representatives groups all expressed concerns, with a few demonstrating support for the could-be American project, with conditions. I sat in my seat and wondered at the agendas of some of the more forceful, even belligerent protesters against the huge investment.
One expects Rastafari Tom Dalgety to oppose the coming of any White-skinned investor to these “Atlantic shores”. Funny, but just as much as I am impatient with Tom’s historical contexts in which he places foreign investment, I am similarly moved to believe that he is not mischievously political, when he voices opposition to European/American investors. Perhaps Mr Dalgety can arrange investments from Arab, Japanese, sub-Saharan Africans to assist. Remember Tom, powerful forces have made this an inter-dependent world.
But the other Saviours of our Sovereign state were too much to take. The Beal investors won’t be extracting any resources. Yes, the spaceport, if the US State Department permits, will have risks. And yes, I too would prefer a lease and not a sale.
However, must I belie this new-found love and preference for our rare turtle plants and parrots? Over investments for our Warrau and Carib Guyanese? The environment could be managed – not merely preserved! I know that we Guyanese must be our own Saviours culturally, spiritually and economically. But like any other under-developed country, short of cash and true patriots we’ll need help from outsiders. To those who want to preserve the hinterland in its pristine, idyllic but impoverished state, I say “to thine ownself be true! Where were you years ago?
Resolutions and you
1) Here’s a bumper old year’s/new year’s footnote for you: Why not make say, just five resolutions you can keep?
2) We’ll live to regret the electronic media excesses aired during the Police Charlotte Street Exercise. Does not press freedom carry responsibility?
3) Will not the TV “Heroes” intimidate the police and embolden the crooks?
4) My own sympathy to Venezuela 5) Who works at Guyana’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)? Let’s learn more about them.
6) Little Barbados can fit in the land that Beal Aerospace will control? Perhaps. Little developed Barbados!
7) My own lessons from `99: I learnt that a) ACDA is “Ethnic Specific” – it emphasises things African and African Guyanese. (Like the August “Emancipation” Magazine.); b) Road accidents are a matter primarily of attitude, then skills; c) wealth from corruption and drug-runnings will influence some youth more than the church; d) that Shah Rukh Khan can’t really sing “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”; e) that Venezuela will always remain a continental neighbour; f) that the PNC actually believes a new leader will help.
8) Can the determination of any Elections Petition be appealed?
9) Happy Kwanzaa to those African-descended persons celebrating it. Do you know the seven (7) principles of KWANZAA?
10) All overseas-based Guyanese should acquire a Guyana Christmas Annual magazine from any bookstore. Or from me!
11) I give up! I was wrong. The West Indies Cricket Team is beyond me. But this is still the time to be supportive.
12) What is a millennium? Write down how you count one thousand years.
A peaceful year 2000 to you – filled with good health, tolerance, love and success.
`Til Next Year!
