‘Democracy Over Oligarchism!’- Nestor

By Lurlene Nestor- If Rosa Parks didn’t sit and Martin Luther King Jr. et al. didn’t stand, and march Black folks might have remained at the back of the bus and segregation laws would have continued for much longer!

Let me reiterate,  whether I’m in or out of Guyana I have the right to free speech, a right I will continue to exercise without fear or intimidation! I’ve been an advocate for democracy,  accountability, decency and transparency in Guyana. Since I was a teen! And yes, I continue to do this while working, studying, and leading a youth organisation. When I became a parliamentarian that activism continued. 

For years, I used the letter columns in the daily newspapers to write about matters of public interest and national television to speak out against public corruption and wrong doings. I also protested public corruption and executive wrong doings, whether I’m in or out of Guyana, because I understand how dangerous corruption is to the republic and the very fabric of society. 

So, in face of public pressure, attack and victimisation I refused then to relent because my sole mission was and still is about democracy and the future of those who come after. For this reason I remain resolute even now! 

There are times when the yearning for; democracy, a more equitable and fair distribution of resources must trump  selfish, and self-serving interest! If those who know better continue to sit and accept wrongs as right then you can’t blame those whom you regard as “low informationers” for the actions and side they take as you who claim to know better fail to show them a better way, as some seem too compromised and fearful to even go beyond “this is white not black” posture! 

Fear and cowardice are not agents of social and political change. You can’t focus on short term benefits without contemplating long term consequences, and if the collective agreed posture is “we got to live and tek care ah we family” then don’t complain or just remove yourself from national politics and positions of public service for these are associated with selfless service, and looking out for the collective well-being of the people, especially those can’t do so for themselves. 

My recent experience at the Republic Bank has convinced me that unless you are prepared to be fearless and challenge discriminatory practices and rules you will be contributing to the evolution of a system that strips away at your own constitutional rights! More on that later, including the apology I was given! This is not about me, it just happens that the wrong question was asked to the right person!

Democracy over oligarchism!

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Lurlene Nestor is an educator and former parliamentarian