Frankly Speaking …
By A.A. Fenty
Stabroek News
May 18, 2001
What? Why am I harping back to this grave, gruesome issue so symbolic of the "basest" behaviour of our people? Well, it's because of the powerful impressions that threatened to overwhelm me last week Thursday and also, simply because when we (quickly) forget the past we are doomed to repeat it - or have it repeated. To our detriment.
Yes fans and foes, in a somewhat uncharacteristic move for me, I accepted an invitation to "show solidarity" with the victims of the East Coast Backdam Executions - and their survivors. I accepted a ride up to Enterprise to see evidence of tyre-burnings, gutted roads, scenes of muggings and the consequential security measures taken. And, of course, to experience the two funerals of the simple hard-working men and one son.
Countrymen and women, I suppose my primary objective of recording this participation is to make one signal unfortunate point born of the lasting, vivid and powerful impressions that overwhelmed me and that is that racial insecurities and animosities are here to stay! I'll return to that conviction after these two points.
Firstly, I had to view the Donna McKinnon funeral/demonstration from a safe place. I'm no longer in favour of the pro-PNC protesters' activities and they really don't "like" me. Hence, I could not pay my regards up close and personal.
Secondly, my own minor personal dilemma came to the fore at Enterprise last week Thursday. I crave your indulgence as, almost shamefacedly, I personalise this problem and share it with you in the hope that it may teach a lesson and somehow assist me, in time to come. Now there I was among thousands of Indian-descended Guyanese who were in a sombre, seething, bitter, anguished mode and mood. Yes, I am a part of any humanity regardless of their ethnicity, but I very seldom find myself - in Guyana - in an almost exclusive gathering of one ethnic group. (I suppose that's just me.) On a personal level, although I am physically "Indian", I am Black attitudinally. Perhaps spiritually. Regrettably, I can't easily relate to my people (culturally) as I ought to. I have to admit often that I know and have African-descended pals who know infinitely much more about "Indian" people and "things" than I ever could.
That is my dilemma: I am more "Black" than is known, mentally and habitually. I know little else. Prime Minister Hinds probably knows and appreciates Indian customs, religion, movies, music and thinking more than I do. But there I was among thousands of Indo-Guyanese in mourning and grief at Enterprise. It was/is obvious that my weekend Television Show is quite popular in that community. There I was though, wondering why no other race group was represented at all. Ravi Dev was right. No representation of Afro-Guyanese from nearby communities was evident.
Don't tell me that Bemchand Barran and Dhanpaul Jagdeo knew no Afro-Guyanese. Or that little Mervyn had no African friends at school (And Jagdeo was Baptist!).
O.K, I have heard that Afro-Guyanese did not venture into the Enterprise community that day because of the prevailing circumstances and mood. Huh? That is not the African spirit or character I know.
Which brings me back to my primary point and objective today. It is to report that the said unfortunate reality that hit me during and after the mingling at Enterprise is that racism is here to stay. However, cosmetic, artificial and forced the "we-are-one", "we-are-all-Guyanese" façade (or ideal) will be made manifest, beneath all that posturing will be East Indian ethnic insecurity and strong partisan, racial feelings of exclusion and yes, hatred. And I lay the blame squarely at one group's door. The group that promoted menace, fear, intimidation and robbery in the aftermath of the March 19 elections.
It was clear that the Indo-Guyanese people of Enterprise are convinced that the three assassinations were politically-related and associated with the organised, structured unrest demonstrated on the East Coast of Demerara recently. Believe me, I did not rush to any judgement! Though my own gut feeling is that the murders and dastardly child-killing are related to the protests, I am open-minded enough to await the outcome of official investigations. (What "investigations", you ask? Ask the Minister of Home Affairs.)
My lasting conviction however, is that whoever killed those three males used the excuse and environment created by the unrest within which to do so. The wounds are now deep and lasting. No reconciliation, no Baptist or Hindu forgiveness will erase the hurt, I contend. Yes friend, I really could have done without Enterprise last week Thursday.
Dialogue!?
1) Hoyte's Dialogue, Hoyte's Dilemma, as articulated by one politician at Enterprise last week: Having invited Jimmy Carter in '92, lost all elections thereafter and slowly gaining a local and international reputation for the politics of the street, Hoyte has to deliver quickly before imminent retirement. What do you think?
2) Remember when Hammie G was allegedly the Chief Enforcer? Who is now?
3) I must agree! To decide, out of humanitarian reasons, that you'll assist the McKinnons, ten thousand was an insult! (It should have been for many months, even as other benefits and assistance were offered.)
4) But wait! Who shot McKinnon and the Indo-Guyanese man?
5) Who shot up Congress Place? (And made the Party People commandeer that section of town, as others became helpless?)
6) Remember, the top Joe says: "There will be no Guyana!"
7) After enjoying your week-end "cook up", stand by for "Candid Conversations - the other Dialogue".
'Til next week!