I will never sell my self-belief for financial sycophancy

I wrote several times on this page that you cannot prevent people from disrespecting you You cannot stop people from describing you as mad, useless,ignorant,etc.Lifeis about people loving each otherandpeoplehatingeach other with grey areas in between. Only a fool will ask others to respect him/her When you do that, more nastiness comes your way Whatyouhavetodois confront those who fictionalise your life. What you can do is refuse to let your dignity be trampled upon. A gentleman by the name of Charles Ceres in this newspaper showed contempt for me by writing that I live a despondent life because I wanted to have post-graduate education. I cannot stop Ceres from saying untruthful things aboutmebutIcanreplyand attempt to show the Guyanese nation who I am as opposed to Ceres I replied and informed the GuyanesepeoplethatIhave post-graduate education at foreignuniversitiesthedoor of which Ceres will never see in his entire life. Ceres may disrespect me in the future.

ThereisnothingIcando about that. What I can do is defendmyself.

LincolnLewiscontinues to get personal with me in this newspaper I have not attempted on any occasion toappealtotheeditortoedit Lewis’ publications on me. There is a willing refuge waiting for me – the Guyanese people. I know the Guyanese people will never believe what Lewis writes about me because I am a public figure that has no history or background of secret immoralities. I have beenmarriedfor44yearsto thesamelady Ieducatedmy daughter in two Master degrees in London. I taught atUGfor26yearsandnever hadacomplaintagainstme. I never physically hurt even an animal. I never stole anything in my life except books from the Michael Forde Bookstore where I worked and from the nationallibrary BothwhenI was a teenager I do not socialise. I do not mix with the Guyanese aristocracy who would shun me anyway I have no wealthy friend except Nazar Mohamed aka “Shell I know Shell long before he became a wealthy citizen and love him like a brother becauseIknowhisqualities long before he became famous All my deep, personalfriendsarefromthe working class. No one can say they saw me at any casino,anyhotel,anydance, any sporting event, any party I have no use for the companyofdiplomats.

I hate how good Guyanese love being sycophantstothediplomatic community Iwillneverever let anyone belittle me without retaliation. I never allowedthatforthe26years IwasatUGandthe28years I have been at Kaieteur News.IthashappenedandI stoodmygroundandfought back. I will never sell my soul for money I had six opportunities to do so and I showednotevenataremote level, any interest. I fought the presidencies of Forbes Burnham, Desmond Hoyte, Cheddi Jagan, Bharrat Jagdeo, Donald Ramotar andDavidGranger Inthose six presidencies, I could have found myself requesting opportunities for financial comfort I believe in all six situations; I would not have been turned down but human rights were my priorities and not money I have grown much older since Forbes Burnham sent to call me after I graduated withthePresident’sMedal(I don’tevenknowwhereitis) and at my age, money is of no interest to me. My knees collapsed and I went to the Georgetown Hospital and waited to be served and I wastreatedwithdignityand professionalism by two orthopedic surgeons, Drs. SamarooandWatson.

Itistoolatenowforone thing–seekingmoney Iwill not allow people to disrespectmeiftheythinkI need money In this life of mine, I don’t want your money and don’t think you cantalktomeanddisrespect mebecauseyouthinkIneed m oney You better don’t dare. I have always spoken my mind and have paid the consequences I will continue to be who I am because that is who I am. I will not allow people to belittle or bully me. I have grownmucholdernowandI need to lose myself in Janet Kissoon, my daughter, two cats,twodogsandarabbit.I will always remember the words of Prsident IrfaanAli tome. Hesaid:“Whatcould the government offer you.” AndIsaidwhateverIwant,a younger person should be given the opportunity to haveit.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and beliefs of this n e w s p a p e r a n d i t s affiliates.)