Saturday December 14, 2013
Kaieteur News
Page 5
Letters... Where your views make the news Letters... Where your views make the news
Peeping Tom’s explanation on this Kissoon is not a child of Madiba issue was shallow with little substance DEAR EDITOR, What was Freddie Kissoon’s real point in his column, “President Obama and the richest African woman in the world”, (KN, 1212-13)? Perhaps it was encapsulated in his last line of that column, “I documented race discrimination in my own country and it earned me a libel suit from the then President. I am not afraid. I am a child of Madiba.” Kissoon postulates that by criticizing the richest African woman in the world (Isabel dos Santos), it would grandstand him as being “non-racial”. For more than a decade, he lambastes the East Indians of Guyana ad nauseam, and makes derogatory comments on individuals and icons that East Indians of Guyana are sensitive to - to be seen as the “good guy” by his fans. And now, by criticizing Isabel dos Santos, it underscores that Kissoon is “a child of Madiba”! How dare Mr. Kissoon assume the venerable progeny of Madiba (the proud clan name of Nelson Mandela); this conceit and aggrandizement are akin to desecration or sacrilege. Mandela was a proud (black) African, and proud of his clan. He recognized long and far the dignity of his people. He criticized racists from all sides of the divide; he upheld the decorum and self-respect of his people. He never labelled any group - especially his clan -
with the hauteur and contemptuous egotism that Kissoon is known for. About 7 years ago or so, a (Guyanese) African rights activist upbraided Mr. Kissoon for criticizing Blacks, and reverberated that the only people who criticize Blacks should be Blacks themselves. After receiving this reprimand, Mr. Kissoon quickly tugged his tail between his legs, and retreated. Now, the only significant criticism of blacks in years by Mr. Kissoon comes by way of referring to an African leader that 99.99% of Guyanese never heard of. So, is Mr. Kissoon now seen as “non-racial” that he criticized Isabel dos Santos? For years, Mr. Kissoon has debased, demeaned and degraded the East Indians of Guyana. And of course, many have known of his contempt of things Indian, and being ashamed of being East Indian. Mandela was never ashamed of being black, and neither is this the case of Mr. Kissoon’s hero (and mine), Eusi Kwayana. Eusi has been a proud Black person – and rightly so. (The name “Eusi” is derived from an East African root word that means “black”, Eusi had explained to me). Freddie Kissoon is no child of Madiba; Eusi hails from that clan. And so is Cheddi Jagan, as mentioned by Dr. Kingsley Harrop, in a letter, “There was a Mandela among our leaders”, (KN, 13-12-13). Devanand Bhagwan
DEAR EDITOR, Regarding Peeping Tom’s column titled ‘On Not Being Invited to Mandela’s Funeral Service’ dated December 13, 2013. I found the author’s explanation to be shallow with little substance regarding the purpose of attending Mr. Mandela’s funeral service. The person wrote only about the logistics of Mr. Ramotar attending the funeral service of Mr. Mandela, without the leader of the main opposition, but misses an important point about funerals and what Mandela spent most of his life to create, a better world for South Africans, including all of us. Peeping Tom saw only the physical aspects of the funeral service and not what Guyana could have gained from Mandela’s contribution to us. I believe funerals are mostly for the living, so that we can be reminded about the contributions of the deceased that might improve our lives for a better world. As the writer must undoubtedly be aware, there are similarities of race challenges in both Guyana and South Africa. Since independence, the race problems continue to tear Guyana apart. Through Mandela’s efforts, a solution was found in South Africa, resulting in tremendous healing for the people and progressive growth, especially for the underprivileged. Could the resolve in South Africa help Guyana in any way? In my opinion, and I believe the opinion of
Nelson Mandela - a giant... From page 4 with some of the freedom fighters of the past. Mandela, Jagan, Arafat, Mahatma Gandhi and others are today respected and considered great men and international statesman because they have all risen above the narrow confines of petty political thinking and sought to change society in positive ways. But as I said before, history has a way of judging people and the verdicts of the masses are always right. Former US Secretary of State Arthur Schlesinger, during the Kennedy administration, openly apologized to Dr. Jagan for the injustice done to him. And President Obama was full of praise for Mandela when he said that Mandela ‘not only freed the prisoner but the jailer as well.” There is a saying that great minds think alike. Nelson Mandela, Cheddi Jagan, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King and Arafat were
all cut from the same cloth. They shared the same world view and perspectives on life. For them, people and their well-being and dignity was the driving force; the tonic that energized them and got them going in life, despite the great odds. Today they have all gone to the great beyond, but in their own ways and under
different conditions and circumstances, they left a legacy of hope that a better day is on the horizon for the oppressed peoples of the world. These men were indeed giants of history. They are men of honour and integrity who gave of themselves so that others could be free. Hydar Ally
thousands, the answer is YES. All Mr. Ramotar and Mr. Granger have to do is begin with a small portion of what Mandela did for forgiveness, and our beloved Guyana could start the transformation of being another South Africa. This gesture could be very important to Guyana, where the opposition controls parliament and there is a minority government. We all know how one race of people was treated in a previous Guyana government. This is happening again to the other race. When does it all end? If Mr. Ramotar and the PPP were not so self-serving and if a welcoming hand was outreached to Mr. Granger to accompany the President to the funeral service - even if Mr. Granger had to pay his own way - a golden opportunity was lost to start the healing process in Guyana, that Mandela stood for, and could have been possible with this mutual purpose of travel. On the other hand, the perceived selfishness has created a deeper animosity among the races in Guyana and where it ends might
destroy the country, like an alcoholic reaching bottom, before generations could make our motto a reality ‘ One People, One Nation, One Destiny’. Whether Mr. Granger was part of the government delegation or not allowed at the viewing, the purpose of accompanying Mr. Ramotar could have build stronger ties between them, as they reflected on their purpose of visiting South Africa together. Mr. Granger would have a stronger link to South Africa that might have assisted Mr. Ramotar to better understand the other major race in Guyana, while Mr. Granger might have benefitted the same, if he had accompanied Mr. Ramotar to India. It is only when we better understand other races and cultures that we are able to work in unison. Global North countries have a way of imposing aid to Global South
countries, sometimes without discussion of culture consequences that could be disastrous to those receiving the aid. Unfortunately, that lost gesture of an invitation to the leader of the opposition that had more to do with the ANC when they formed the government of Guyana, while the PPP did little, might cause long-lasting consequences for all races here. Similar to South Africa, unless the race problem is resolved in Guyana, the country and her people have little hope for a peaceful selfdetermination. In your next column, Peeping Tom, I hope you will address the opportunities lost for the betterment of Guyana, by Mr. Ramotar not inviting Mr. Granger to Mandela’s funeral services. A conscious patriot Name and address withheld