At Babu Jaan, as the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) commemorates the death of their founder Dr Cheddi Jagan, there are lessons to be gleaned from his experience that can serve Guyana in the present. And this is as it should be. We inevitably look back at history to seek answers to questions posed in our present from the experience of those who preceded us. The answers may not be identical to those that were proffered in the past, but at least they may suggest a particular approach to be taken.…
Read MoreCategory: Editorials
Defeating Domestic Violence in the Americas
Men’s Work by Luke Daniels, Hnasib Publications, 2017. By Petamber Persaud Riding high on top of choppy waves he pebbled into play with his first book, Pulling the Punches: Defeating Domestic Violence, Luke Daniels now creates a tsunami with his new book, Defeating Domestic Violence in the Americas: Men’s Work by contending that domestic violence is ‘politically motivated violence in support of patriarchy’, pointing out that the social structure is designed whereby mainly men are put in charge of state apparatus and mainly men becoming policy makers, holders of high…
Read MoreA chance to celebrate beautiful, border-pushing women
If you’re familiar with my articles, women’s rights and equal access to opportunities are something that I hold dearly to myself. I have written about women in Science, women in ICT, the dangers of catcalling, among others. So, of course, I had to write about International Women’s Day! International Women’s Day, celebrated last Thursday, was done under the theme “#pressforprogress”. Since the last International Women’s Day, the world, I believe, has undergone a sort of revolution. Movements such as #metoo, #timesup have been pushed to the forefront. Women all around…
Read MoreMarginalisation and Anti-African Racist discourse
The following was first offered in 2008 and republished several times. I have always marvelled that, because I have also spoken out against anti-Indian racism by some African-Guyanese, I have been branded as “racist”. The abused can also become abusers. “In our estimation, the African experience in the “New World” defines the word “marginalisation” in conjunction with “racism”. Following the powerlessness of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas to withstand the labour demands and dis eases of the Spaniards (evidenced by ninety percent of then dying off in the…
Read MoreA tribute for the late Dr Cheddi Jagan
By Rev Gideon Cecil A great soul was born on Guyana’s soil, From parents who lived in poverty tears and toil. His path was rough from his birth to his death, Where he lived and died for his nation in no regret. He struggled for all Guyanese to be free, In sweat and tears he fought for our liberty. For us to always remember the Father of our Nation, He fought for one and all without discrimination. If we will understand our hero Cheddi Jagan, And give each other love…
Read MoreMore opportunities for young artists
By Ashley Anthony In one of my previous columns, “Young Artists Talk”, I lamented the lack of opportunities available for upcoming artists. I cited both the social and structural discouragement that young people receive when trying to become professional artists, some of which included few job opportunities and little acknowledgement that their work is actually work, and not just some pastime. However, it seems as though I can say I have lived to see progress. Two years later, I can definitely say that there are more opportunities for young artists,…
Read MoreOn movies and culture
By Ravi Dev Some were surprised at the reaction of people of African Origin to the Marvel movie “Black Panther”, which elicited such a deep cultural outpouring exhibited in clothes and music. I was not, and it had nothing to do with the US$150 million Disney had spent on the publicity on top of the US$200 million budget. It was because, for the first time, here was a film that African audiences could relate to because it appeared to them to be authentically African. It is my hope that now…
Read MoreThe threat of rising sea levels
The raging Atlantic Ocean on the West Coast of Demerara on Holi Day definitely added an extra frisson to the usual dousing of cold water that is obligatory when celebrating that festival. But the spectacle should also remind us Guyanese of the threat posed by rising sea levels to our coastlands. The coastland was five feet under normal sea levels a century ago, and the ocean has since risen by another eight inches. Whether we are science sceptics or not about exactly what is driving the process of “global warming”,…
Read MoreThe legacy of terror
By Ravi Dev There are increasing signs that we are fast descending into a repeat of the widespread terror unleashed on the populace during the Burnham dictatorship. Maybe it is part of the project to continue his “legacy”, so we should continue to examine that legacy. The terror in Burnham’s state was generated essentially from two sources. First, there was the physical violence meted out by organised bands of thugs and the rapes and murders of the ‘kick down the door’ bandits. Secondly, there was the psychic violence emanating from…
Read MoreEDITORIAL: Holi
The Hindu community is being joined by most of the rest of the country to celebrate the festival of Holi, or Phagwah. Holi, as we all know, is celebrated very boisterously, with gaiety and abandon as revellers douse each other first with water, then, in the afternoon, with powders of all hues, the scarlet liquid “abeer,” and FINALLY, a sharing of sweets. But we should know, too, the reason for the celebration; because while each Hindu festival generally emphasises the theme of “good overcoming evil,” they are grounded in narratives…
Read More