Dear Editor,
Thank you for allowing me space in the newspaper to offer congratulations to academic, journalist and human rights activist, Freddie Kissoon for completing thirty-six years as a newspaper columnist.
There has been a central theme that dominates Kissoon’s writing and activism. He mostly agitates for and defends the rights of all Guyanese to enjoy the manifestations of democracy such as freedom of expression, the right to share the resources of the country and be treated fairly regardless of religion, class, social standing, race and more.
Kissoon may be considered controversial by many but his activism is characterized by his ebullient, aggressive style and yes, some will be offended. Some letter writers like Prescott Mann have also referred to his changing positions on people and issues. That may be so because Kissoon, as projected in his writings, considers people like himself, as not perfect, thus they, (people who are the subjects of his writings, especially politicians), are also capable of making both positive and negative transformations. This he acknowledges which is a testimony to the dynamic thinking which he possesses. This is a great attribute.
Kissoon has had a fallout with many persons because of the position they took during the five months elections impasse in which there were brazen attempts to rig same. It is understandable that Kissoon would be angry because he doesn’t want Guyana to fall under another period reminiscent of the Burnham era and maybe that is why Kissoon keeps reminding Guyanese of this terrible time in our history because of its significance to the eroding of democracy.
Sincerely,
Mahindra Persaud
