Those of us observing the conduct of black leaders in the Jagdeo/Ali regime could probably only have an inkling of what our enslaved ancestors suffered in their struggle for human dignity and respect.
We read stories of the house slaves and other enablers of oppression whose only existence and worth to their masters were or are their willingness to accept systems of oppression, marginalisation and discrimination once they could be in the Great House, partake of the meal (even if it crumbs or left-overs), wear the master and mistress’ hand-me-down, and rub shoulders with massa and his buddies, always mindful of knowing that their place is lesser than not equal to. Even at this debased and dehumanised order the house slave is more than willing to please, sometimes without directive from his master, and at times even more rabid than his master.
In willing fashion, they will go out there and attack the oppressed only to please massa. These people are without backbone, and when they look themselves in the mirror, so twisted are their vision and self-esteem, they fool themselves into accepting they are privileged to be among the oppressors, and would do anything, including emasculating whatever is left of their manhood, just to associate.
The past week there was Joe Hamilton out there again, willingly doing his master’s bidding. Public servants must accept, according to him, the 8 % payout and the regime’s contempt for the right to collective bargaining for some workers. The gall of the man to reference the increased APNU+AFC officials paid themselves shortly after coming into office when officials of the PPP regime have not taken a pay cut on the sum, but in the last two years have added on 15 %.
But that is the nature of the willing attack dog. He will carry out his master’s expectation, uncaring that in doing so stupidity will be on display. He never fails to remember who will reward him with a bone and provide him shelter. Such kind rather live on their knees and be collared rather than die on their feet, fighting for inalienable dignity and respect.
What Hamilton should have been telling this nation is why Irfaan Ali has failed to deliver on the 50 % increase he told the coalition government they should be paying public sector workers. What Hamilton should be telling this nation is why the PPP is discriminating against a category of workers only because of their physical features when Bharrat Jagdeo as Opposition Leader sided with the teachers during their strike against the coalition government. But akin to the stories of slavery the ‘house slave’ is only too happy to do the massa’s bidding.
Later in the week it was Mark Phillips giving rise to concern that this was the man who recently vacated the office of Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Force. Could we have trusted him to protect this nation were we surrounded if the invader could have offered him the right price or comfort? Never has this nation read such nonsense from a man at his level in his response to Lelon Saul. Not a word in his letter addressed the complaints raised by Saul and others. Neither did he provide any evidence to debunk any of the charges made against this regime that has made racism and discrimination part of their policies.
Juan Edghill is the next one. He doesn’t care if Georgetown is overrun with filth and the City Council is economically handicapped by the Jagdeo/Ali regime even though they live in the city. Filthy minds are not disturbed by filth as evidenced by the regime’s economic marginalisation of Georgetown and areas dominated by those who exercise the right to associate with another party or group. Edghill is proud to declare, as he did on his Facebook page, that in order to get the regime’s attention to develop your community you have to vote PPP. This money that he wants to deprive some Guyanese of belongs to all the people.
These men could only be seen as a disgrace to the African community if we ignore history and this behaviour that has been around forever. Their presence and actions may make the struggle for economic, social and political justice more difficult, but relent we must not. History will pour scorn on them in recording their enabling role, and their generations will carry the burden of having to hang their heads in shame. But we who believe in justice and fair play must continue to shoulder on.
The arc of the universe always bends towards justice.
