Voices from all over - and against

Something unusual took place in the past two weeks. Guyanese from different walks of life lent their voices to condemn a repugnant development, and they attached their names to public objections over what was dumped on a female journalist, two of them in fact. One was from the State media, the other from the private, independent-owned sectionofit.

Public disagreement and public objection are standing features of a healthy democracy, and both have been noticeablyabsentforawhilenow Indifferencehasbeenone contributory factor, and raw partisanship another restraining consideration. Butmostofall,ithasbeenadeep-seatedand abiding fear, which has blocked conscientious citizens from lifting a protesting voice when the obscene has taken centerstagehere.

It is encouraging, therefore, to observe Guyanese men and women coming out against the vileness that was meted out to two women journalists. We hope that it is a signal of more vocal and spirited presences to offer their public support,whenthetroublingrearsitsuglyhead. Inadditionto individualcitizens,therewerewell-knowngroupsthatmade sure everyone knew where they stood, especially those holdinghighpositionsinthePPPCGovernment. Thishasits relevance because the linkage between a shadowy online group and the present government is one that has a long, sordidhistory.

The fact is that groups operating locally, as well as overseas-based Guyanese ones, added to what became a stormofconcentrated,consistentangeranddisgust. Thishas not been seen in Guyana in recent years, which only made it more welcomed. Further, when politicians take it upon themselves to weigh-in on a reprehensible issue, then the degree of broad-based Guyanese alarm and disagreement couldnothavebeenmorepalpable.

Further still, when a figure of the stellar standing of Guyana’s Vice President, Dr Bharat Jagdeo (himself a former Chief Executive of the nation) could find it timely to condemn what occurred, then clearly a terrible deed was done.

ThoughsomehaveexpressedmisgivingsthatDr Jagdeo was several days late, and his words fell way short of what wastheminimum,thefactisthathedidstepforwardandsign his name in the public record of condemnation. Let that be enough, serve as a starting point of what could lead in other directionsthatmaybejustashigh,evenmuchhigher

The bottom line is that Guyanese voices were as one in deploring what was outrageous and, hence, highly unacceptable. In this particular instance, we at this publication stay away from considerations of underlying motives, and the authenticity of any contributor, concerning the issue at hand. What was impressive was that, in some form or the other, it was one word over and over: No! No! No!Topresentthisinotherways,whatwasheardwasweare against! We condemn! We denounce! We are appalled and wearedisgusted.

Thisinstillsgoodfeelings,andthereisnowthehopethat some light would have been shed, regarding where things could rise, when there is a sufficiency of voices and enough feet to stand against the tides of stealthy destructive forces thatthreatentosweepoverGuyaneselife.

Examining these developments over the matter of a journalist, there is the hope that more Guyanese could be encouraged to engage in the burning issues, the rich and concerning issues, and the nationally significant issues that, once genuinely and satisfactorily resolved, could pave the wayforabetterGuyaneselife.

There is the national oil patrimony at the peak of issues list, which if it attracts a concentration of local energies and passions, could mean the difference between the scratchy poverty lived with for so many lifetimes, and the deep prosperitythatisrightlyours. Theindividual,sectional,and