Introduction to LFSB’s Legacy
Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham (LFSB) was born on February 20, 1923. Had he been alive, he would have turned 102 years old. LFSB rose through the ranks from a Queen’s College scholar, Methodist preacher, lawyer, Senior Counsel, Mayor of Georgetown, President General of the Guyana Labour Union, a founding leader of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Founder-Leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC), member of the National Assembly, Premier, Prime Minister, and ultimately Guyana’s first President with Executive responsibility.
A Complex Legacy
Much has been said, and will continue to be said, about this great son of the soil. A complex figure and personality, simultaneously vilified and loved, he will remain a subject of intense debate, analysis, and review throughout the ages. His politics will continue to influence the nation because he laid a foundation that cannot be uprooted, no matter how hard some may try.
Observing His Birth Anniversary and Republican Status
As Guyanese observe his birth anniversary and celebrate Republican status on February 23rd — secured under his leadership, which made us the final heirs to our destiny — a destiny that is to be molded in line with the national motto “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” — it is an opportune time to examine an effort LFSB made in pursuit of this aspiration: Culture, i.e., our identity and lived experiences.
Cuffy, the 1763 Rebellion, and Guyana’s Republican Identity
Though Cuffy and others could not have known that the first major revolt for freedom in this part of the hemisphere, led by them on February 23, 1763, would come close to the birthdate of a man accused of linking it to Guyana’s attainment of Republican status for personal celebration, it was LFSB who played a significant role in shaping our culture — a culture of nationhood. 23rd February is significant on the national calendar because it marked the first major mass rebellion, 262 years ago, of an oppressed (enslaved) people for freedom and right to self –determination.
LFSB’s Leadership in a Divided Nation
When LFSB assumed office as Premier in 1964 after defeating Dr. Cheddi Jagan, he inherited a political landscape torn by ethnic (race, gender, class, religion) animosity, distrust, and intolerance. He took on the task of assuring Guyanese that his government would be a government for all people — that all races were important to his administration, and he proceeded to act in accordance with this belief. LFSB met with religious groups, and while this writer possesses no evidence of what transpired at these meetings, one can gauge his approach from the subsequent legislation and administration policies.
Education and National Unity
Denominational schools came under a national education policy that was non-religious, making it possible for all to have access to education based on merit and location, not beliefs. Given that religious practices in earlier times were primarily structured around race and class, barriers were removed, creating an atmosphere of intermingling that fostered mutual learning and respect. Education became co-equal and free, later extending from nursery to university, eliminating discrimination against groups based on gender or class (money). Free education from nursery to university became a right under the Burnham government and enshrined in the Constitution of Guyana.
Social Reforms: Breaking Down Divisive Barriers
Food feeding programmes, free textbooks, exercise books, and later free uniforms, were instituted, ensuring that hunger would not be a deterrent to participation in learning. A family’s financial situation (the absence of money) was no longer an excuse to deny education.
The notion of religious superiority (Christianity) was toppled, creating equal space for diverse practices and eliminating discrimination based on belief. The Obeah Ordinance Act was repealed. Hindu, Muslim, and other non-orthodox religions were given similar pride of place. The right to religious worship and identity was no longer a divisive issue but one of unity in peace.
A Progressive Approach to Social Issues
The so-called “child father/mother,” and the derogatory label (bastard) ascribed to children born out of wedlock — who had been denied fraternal inheritance because of a choice they had no control over — were decriminalised. While some decried this progressive step and sought to attribute it as a ‘Black people problem,’ it should be remembered that Hindus and Muslims were similarly treated with contempt prior to LFSB. Their unions, without possession of a Western marriage certificate, were equally seen as illegitimate cohabitations, looked down upon, and their children seen as bastards. LFSB corrected this social segregation by accepting unions from all religious groups and allowing religious leaders to serve as marriage officers.
Promoting National Unity Through Culture and Education
Significant days on the three main religious calendars became national holidays. No longer was national attention and importance solely placed on the Christian calendar. In the classroom, teachers taught what these holidays meant, assigned students to do research (homework) on them, and had classmates of various religious persuasions share their experiences during these periods. The process of respect had begun, was fostered, and encouraged — today, we participate in and respect these holidays with ease.
Our educational content was no longer solely driven by the European interpretation of reality but now included the stories of the enslaved, indentured labourers, maroons, and real-life West Indian/Caribbean/Guyanese encounters. The rote methodology of teaching, which valued mimicking British culture and customs, was expelled. Instead, pride of place was given to how well we could apply critical thinking skills in pursuit of an educational base to capitalise on the resources at our disposal, furthering our development and self-reliance.
Photo Credit: People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR)
LFSB’s Vision for a Colour-Blind Society
LFSB outlined a public policy based on the content of character and the willingness to serve. Superficial preferences based on colour, race, class, and other factors previously considered prerequisites for obtaining certain jobs were removed. Older generations would remember the days when only ‘light-complexioned’ people worked in the banks and places like Forgarty’s; and the rigid stratification that existed in sugar estates and bauxite communities. ‘Certain people’ were barred from visiting or entering certain places.
National Pride and Cultural Recognition
Places were named and renamed to reflect our national identity, celebrating our struggles and aspirations. Cuffy, Damon, Quamina, and others were no longer seen as infidels, “niggers,” or disobedient slaves but as national heroes exemplifying the courage and importance of standing up for what is right, rather than living in the shadow of another or being enslaved. The Enmore Martyrs were no longer ‘bound coolies’ who didn’t know their place in the social order, but rather a group who was prepared to challenge a social order that disrespected them.
Our Amerindian brothers and sisters were given their rightful place in our National Emblem, national honoree titles, and in the Umana Yana (meeting place), which hosted local and international events. They were encouraged to integrate into mainstream coastland Guyana, and the airport was renamed Timehri in their honour (the PPP government later changed the name to the Cheddi Jagan International Airport). The Portuguese (Peter D’Aguiar), Chinese (Arthur Chung), Europeans, and others played national and prominent roles, and we learned from and benefited from all these cultures.
Self-Reliance and National Development
When countries like Canada, the USA, and China boasted of producing local goods and services, proudly displaying “Made in…” labels, we too, as a fledgling nation, had our own to boast of. LFSB nurtured a self-confidence in us and instilled the belief that “Yes, We Can.” And indeed, “Yes, We Did.”
Building a Stronger Guyana: Infrastructure and Industry
We assembled refrigerators and freezers (GRL), stereos and radios (GRECO), tapir vehicles (AILIM), built the world’s then-longest single floating bridge (Demerara Harbour Bridge), Canje Bridge, lasting highways (Linden/Soesdyke), road networks bridging the three counties, hinterlands, and backdams/farmlands to main roads (e.g., Canal No.1 and Canal No.2), irrigation systems (e.g., Tapakuma Irrigation Project), and airlines (Guyana Airways).
We established local food processing and canning industries, Sanata Textile, Kimbia, stoneware, glass factories, clay brick factories, etc. We made celebrated local dishes like salt fish, cassava pone, black pudding, souse, fried rice, garlic pork, cook-up, metemgee, chowmein, cassava bread, pepperpot, curried meats/stews, rice porridge, plantain chips, and preserved fruits for black cake, among others.
A Legacy for Modern Guyana
Unmistakably, LFSB laid the foundation for modern Guyana. He bequeathed us a formidable legacy to build upon, and a destiny to shape. As we commemorate his birth date, the Berbice Slave Rebellion, and another Republican Anniversary, there is much more to be done, including intensifying efforts to stop the attempts to leave half of the Guyanese society in political and economic marginalisation. We must not allow this to happen, lest we betray not only the man who laid the political foundation for post-independent Guyana but also the one who had the utmost confidence in us to mould our destiny!
Other Key Achievements and Future Vision
- Making local ferries and military vessels at GNEC.
- Strengthening Guyana National Service (not just Kimbia as a location) to give confidence to young people, reduce fear of the hinterland, and foster mutual respect among youth of all races and regions.
- Bringing in trawlers to catch fish (sold at 12 cents per lb) and freezing shrimp.
- Establishing and strengthening regional, international, and global organisations like CARICOM, the United Nations, South/South Cooperation, and the Non-Aligned Movement. Guyana was punching above its weight, said the USA.
- Assisting African countries with skilled Guyanese and offering their youth training in Guyana.
- Hosting local food fairs and innovating to replace imported foods.
- The ill-fated attempt to move Guyana from being a primary producer to a value-added manufacturing country, with cheap energy as the start of the process. UMHP and UMRP.
- Attempting to establish a bauxite cartel with Jamaica, Guinea, and others, with regional smelting to come from the use of energy sources in Trinidad.
- Creating a military engaged in development activities such as road building, house construction, and other technical skills — highly prized in Caribbean areas that suffered from hurricanes and other natural disasters.
- Changing the way we dressed at work and socially.
Conclusion: A Lasting Legacy
This report is by no means conclusive of the breadth and scope of LFSB’s contributions to society. Others can delve into their treasure chests (minds) and find many more things he did for the development of Guyana, the Caribbean and world. It is also no wonder he was the one adjudged the 20th Century Man of the Caribbean. LFSB’s phenomenal contributions to Guyana’s development, investment in the people, and forging of the nation’s mighty soul, where freedom will be our everlasting goal, and courage and truth our aim, are worthy of sharing.
An empowered mind is a liberated mind!
