Dear Editor,
As a youngster, I remember the joy of this day 80 years ago, when we celebrated what was known as VE Day (Victory in Europe). Today Friday 9, with pomp, the Russians who made by far the greatest sacrifice to defeat Nazi, Germany had the satisfaction of hosting twenty world leaders at this parade in Red Square.
Of course, the Chinese premiere was a prominent figure in remembrance of the role they played to defeat Nazi, Germany who surrendered in the early hours of the 9th of May, 1945.
World War II, of course, did not really end until the United States dropped the just developed atomic bomb, on the 6h and 9th of August on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forcing the Japanese Emperor to surrender.
A few days ago, we also observed the defeat of the might of the United States, unable to deal with the resilience and patriotism of the Vietnamese people. The end of the Vietnam war in 1975, fifty years ago.
I write this letter to urge parents, teachers and our political establishment to note the loss of millions of lives and property in the Pacific and Europe, because of sheer stupidity by people given the responsibility to lead nations everywhere. What is happening in Ukraine, with genocide and inhumanity in Gaza, Sudan and elsewhere, require us to pose the question ‘Are we civilized people? And the concept of democracy, being compromised in many parts of the world.
In Guyana with a population of less than a million people, instead of taking advantage of the massive natural resources given to us by the Creator, resources that if effectively managed should by now have completely eradicated poverty and instead of boasting that we are the fasting growing economy ensure that the money is not utilised in a spending spree.
Let us now be faithful to the major articles in our Constitution. The irony is that an earlier leadership had bravely attempted to provide the human infrastructure to make Guyana Good and Great. Petty Men refuse to accept the wisdom and foresight from earlier administration. For example – a retooled National Service to give every youngster a second chance and an opportunity to overcome inherited prejudices and at the same time acquire skills and learn to love each other, and work with each other in a controlled environment.
Next, Free education, from kindergarten to University was proposed and I remember that the architect of that idea, once proposed to give every Guyanese child , a free uniform. For some of us with some difficulty, Forbes Burnham could not afford such a grand scheme. Today, however, we discovered oil, gas and gold. Money is not a problem, Our leadership requires an attitudinal metamorphosis.
The scheme requires courage and a genuine love for one another. The scheme requires the teaching of all of our history, the glorious and the damned, the good steps and the mis-steps. But as we celebrate the end of that all consuming ambitious World War II, we will also note the equally destructive Cold War, which adversely affected people in every corner of the globe.
Dear Editor, how can we persuade this generation of purported leaders to recognise that unity, justice and morality must not be words that we utter but action must be taken. In our circumstances, our current leadership must know that the lynchpin to hold democracy steady and safe is its law enforcing agency. In our case, it is the Guyana Police Force. Events have shown that under the stewardship of the PPP, the majority of citizens no longer repose confidence in the Guyana Police Force.
Recall the burning of the genitals of a teenager, 15 years old Tywon Thomas at Leonora Police Station on October 11, 2009. To date, we have had no satisfactory results of this investigation. The unlawful killing of Yohance Douglas, March 4, 2003, Ronald Waddell, January 30, 2006, Donna Herod, September 4, 2007, Police Officer, Rawle Thomas, Police Inspector, Leyland October, September 2002 and the unsolved case of the Henry cousins, Courtney Crum Ewing and the list of failings by the top echelon of the Police Force is long and depressing.
Thank God for the fearless advocacy of the independent media, as we observe anniversaries of Vietnam and the tragedy of World War II. I plead with readers to share these experiences so that as a people, we avoid the mistakes and mis-steps which have caused millions of lives, destruction of property, the dislocation and distress of fellow human beings.
Yours truly,
Hamilton Green
Elder
