Respect for Intellectuals

Dear Editor,

I read of a debate challenge to letter writer Norman Browne from one Joel Bhagwandin, another letter writer. Bhagwandin challenges everyone who is critical of the PPP administration or even one who pens an objective critique to a debate. I am taken back by Bhagwandin’s challenges to various outstanding Guyanese intellectuals and scholars – Chris Ram, Gary Girdhari, among others. It is of intellectual maturity.

I do not know personally any of the figures that Bhagwandin challenged to a debate. But I read their occasional letters in the papers.  The missives from Browne. Ram, and Girdhari are well written. They have evidence of individuals who received proper education as an undergraduate and graduate. They use appropriate choice of words. Their letters are readable with sentences related to each other and appropriate transition from paragraph to paragraph. They substantiate their arguments with evidence though I may not be in agreement with their arguments and positions.

They contain excellent syntax, grammar, diction, sentence structure, logic, flow, style, and other writing qualities that professors tend to assess in an essay to give a grade. I am sure they would get ‘A’ rating for their writings.

I can’t say the same when reading Bhagwandin’s letters. It is hard to follow his arguments. The missive or retorts or epistles are poorly written. They are boastful (a showoff) and are a turn off. Information is often not accurate. Sentences that don’t flow and often there are wrong choice of words. There are also wrong transitions.

One can decipher that Browne, Ram, Girdhari, and many other letter writers had proper undergraduate college training, attending classes and engaging in class work in person and learning from peers. I don’t know if and where Bhagwandin had undergraduate college training or whether he short circuited the educational process or he did “online training.”

Online and real in- person training is quite different; the latter provides better quality educational training.

Bhagwandin’s profile makes mention of a MA degree but no bachelors. Several PPP figures have MA degrees (mostly online or correspondence courses and some from even from unaccredited obscure colleges) and or without an undergraduate BA degree. Their writings are horrendous. One can decipher who had proper training at an accredited college.

Those who didn’t bypass undergraduate training like Sam Hinds, Anil Nandlall, Ashni Singh, Prem Misir, Tara Singh, among others, write extremely well. One has to give respect to Browne, Girdhari, Ram, and others who earned their credentials.

Those who Bhagwanidn challenged to a debate have responded appropriately — ignore him! Professionals must not fulfill desires of egoists.

Yours truly,

Ashley Clarke