Chronicle Pepperpot May 7, 2017
XV
MAY DAY, MAY DAY!
What a MAY DAY! By Francis Quamina Farrier
THERE ARE certain signals for distress. From a single person or a group of persons, it could be a moan or a groan, which indicates, "I am in trouble, please help me." As a former member of the British Empire, British Guiana, now the Cooperative republic of Guyana, has the legacy of celebrating MayDay/Labour Day on May 1, or the first Monday in May. Shouts of "May Day, May Day, May Day" are shouts of distress, especially from a ship at sea. May Day or Labour Day 2017 in Guyana, is like a cry of some distress for many of the working class. That distress is not necessarily of the Powerful suppressing the humble, but sadly, in so many cases, the humble depressing the humble. How many times haven't you, a humble citizen, been approached by someone who addresses you with something such as, "Is woh really goin' on in dis country?" The people who see only the mud but never the moon on a serene night; those who see only a "Bad Moon Rising" and never go out into the night "Dancing in the Moonlight." May Day or Labour Day, is intended to be the day when the working class is lifted up and recognized for their contributions to the smooth running and development of a nation. For older Guyanese, May Day/Labour Day in British Guiana, was one of jubilation when almost everyone, especially the Working Class, celebrated in unity, and in a big way. Labour Day Rallies give the representatives of the working class an opportunity to voice publicly the challenges, hopes and dreams of those who toil in Office, Field and Factory, most instances for very low wages, and in some cases, in very inhumane and dangerous conditions. The Elders of today who are no longer in the workforce, and who have made their contributions to the development of our Beautiful Guyana, should never be treated less than with respect. Their human rights and human dignity should never be taken for granted. On Labour Day, we speak of the Father of Trade Unionism in Guyana and the Caribbean, our National Hero, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, and the many other trade unionists of the past, who have done so much to make life somewhat more rewarding, than pertained prior to the establishment of Trade Unions in Guyana a century ago. As the producer of the Radio Programme Series, "The Eighty Plus Club", I am able to say that I have interviewed many of the former working class citizens, who have made sterling contributions in so many areas of life - education, health care, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, the postal service and so many others. Those workers of the past were first-hand witnesses of the unfurling of the Labour Movement during
the very early years, a century ago. To hear these stories of the struggles from the lips of those who went before, and who paved the way for the present generation to enjoy, is most inspiring. Nonetheless, older folks have to be extremely careful how they discusses such nostalgia in the presence of the younger ones. However, it must be said that there are those youngsters who do show a great interest in the past, and how their parents and grand-parents lived and what they achieved. There are those youngsters who by word and deed, show how much they appreciate what the workers of the past have contributed to what they, the current youngsters, have inherited; the hundreds of miles of canals, the hundreds of miles of dams and roadways; the streets, the parks all constructed by those who have gone before, and "Anyone who has a heart", would not say that the "old people must go one side", a statement made by a former president. How many citizens twenty years and younger have built any of the many miles of side-walks, pavements, parks, public gardens and avenues in the city and the country side? But even though the workers of today toil not only for themselves, but also for the benefits of the adults of tomorrow, there must be a protocol which guides what the elders - the current and retired workers - boast about. First of all, Elders must be wise enough not to go around singing the praises of how wonderful it used to be, when they were young, and how the world is now in such a mess, and bemoaning, as they point out, all the nonsense that the young people are engaged with. Elders need to be prudent with their utterances. There are so many young citizens who are doing the right things, and that must be appreciated. Some Elders will admit that one hundred years ago, the world was engaged in the First World War; and what an international mess that was! It lasted from 1914 to 1919, during the time then the Labour Movement was just emerging in British Guiana. A young athlete, Hubert Nataniel Critchlow, who is regarded as "The Father of Trade Unionism in Guyana and the Caribbean", was already waging war on the establishment on behalf of the downtrodden working class in this the only English-speaking colony in South America. My own memory of the great man, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, was seeing him just once. It was on Regent Street in downtown Georgetown. I was in my teens at the time and was on the southern pavement in the vacinity of the Acme Photo Studio next to the City Hall. Critchlow was on the northern side of the street astride his big bicycle and in conversation with another gentleman. For me, it seemed like an aura emitted around him. As the producer of the Radio Programme Series "THE EIGHTY PLUS CLUB", which
was on local Radio for fifteen years - 1985 to 2000 - I was fortunate to have interviewed three veterans of World War One. The last surviving was Gershom Browne of Bagotville, on the West Bank of Demerara. Many who attended the Remembrance Day observances over the years, can recall that strong centenarian marching up to the Cenatoph, and placing his special wreath there in remembrance of the Fallen Guyanese Heroes, as well as veterans around the world. Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the Trade Unionist, and Gershon Onesimus Browne, the soldier, were young men at the same time during the first and second decade of the 20th century. Both were fighters for those who could not fight for themselves. Both made great personal sacrifices for their country and fellow man. In a way, those two men, in their respective ways, and so many others like them, must never be forgotten for the work they did to make the lives of the working class of today, so much better. In more recent times, the Trade Union Movement here in Guyana was in total disarray. The two separate Labour Day observances in Georgetown over a period of time, being the worst example. Also the
very recent confusion with the Elections at the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) being a sad example. The singing of the worker's song, "Solidarity Forever" had many flat notes. During my earlier working life, I was a member of two Trade Unions; The Clerical and Commercial Worker's Union (CCWU) while I was a sales clerk at Wm. Fogarty's Store, and the Guyana Public Service Union (GPSU) while I was at the Ministry of Information as a Film Producer and later at the Ministry of Culture as Director of Drama. Both unions had some very dynamic and progressive Leaders - George DePenna, Gordon Todd and Leslie Melville, to mention just three. Other giants of the Labour Movement over the past century included Andrew Jackson, Richard Ishmael, Cecil Cambridge and others. They were trail-blazers whose bravado and vision for the working class must be remembered. As Labour Day 2017 sails away into history, will there be more cries from the Working Class of Guyana, "May Day, May Day, May Day"? Only the weeks and months ahead will tell.
◄◄◄ From page VIII
abilities is our society .They also can achieve greatness and here are a few famous names Richard Branson, Micheal Phillips, Whoopi Goldberg, Steven Spielberg, Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around - Leo Buscaglia Please feel free to send us an email to beyondtherunway1@gmail.com or visit our FB Page beyond the runway Sending you all lots of positive vibes as we continue to beautiful journey call life BEYOND THE RUNWAY.
The question is this: “Karen what can you do and who can you engage to help realize an educational, inclusive and professional plan for these children? So I am always thinking of this. Why?” Well because of my autistic daughter. Her story is one of success and one good thing I would be overjoyed to hear and experience someone else crossing that path." I have so much admiration for her strength and will always support her. We need to be more compassionate and accommodating; caring about people with dis-