…comparisons
It’s said that “all comparisons are odious”. And we can see, most loudly and clearly, the profound truth of this saying in the kvetching by a Trade Union Leader (TUL) that the reception accorded by the PPP government to the Indian PM Narendra Modi on his visit last month far exceeded in pomp and ceremony that extended to Ghanian VP Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia back in Dec 2021!
The TUL concluded this proved that “(PPP) leaders are deep in their programme to diminish the presence of African and other non-East Indian Guyanese.” Imagine that!!
His main complaint is that, while the official formalities were observed, the PPP Govt didn’t arrange for the Ghanaian VP to meet with ordinary Guyanese of African descent – many of whom originated in present-day Ghana. This, the TUL explained, had to be done by the local “Ghana Day Committee”.
Now, your Eyewitness – who’s been around the block and then some in our local fractured politics – had expected this sorta comparison the moment Modi landed at CJIA from Brazil!!
He just didn’t expect it to come from a TUL – whom he thought would’ve wanted to maintain a multi-ethnic “working class” façade!! But blood is thicker than wata, no?? Now, your Eyewitness can easily point out that Ghanaian politics is even more divided than ours. Over there, the divisions are “tribal”: even though all are of the same race, their competition is so fierce that elections are characterized by how many are killed!! For their elections at this month’s end, the political parties signed a code of conduct against vigilantism and election violence perpetuated by youth vigilante groups!!
But back to the invidious comparison. Will it change TUL’s mind to be told that he’s completely off-base with his criticism of Modi’s meeting with local Indians?? Both dignitaries met their diasporas at the Marriott, but Modi’s meeting with Indian Guyanese at the NCC – which had its own debate on how it was built!! – was arranged by the Indian (from India) Cultural Center and by local organizations. The TUL coulda check who paid for the rental of the NCC! Apart from the Ghana Day Group, couldn’t IDPADA-G – which claims membership of some 78 Afro-centric local groups – have done a similar jambalaya??
But your Eyewitness noticed when Pres Granger hosted President Akufo-Addo – equivalent to PM Modi – back in June 2019, the TUL didn’t complain about him not meeting the African Guyanese community. By then IDPADA-G had collected $168 MILLION, and could’ve easily rented the NCC for the Ghanaian President’s meet-and-greet!!
But as Fat Boy said, we gotta distinguish between the CAUSE of the war and the OCCASION for the war. Modi’s visit is just the OCCASION for the TUL to wage his war!!
…culture
Your Eyewitness was looking out for a report on that event that was supposed to be held last Saturday at the Promenade Gardens – to “immerse” us into various strands of American culture in order to encourage us to visit. Imagine that!! We’re now seen as folks who can travel for leisure and spend big bucks to sustain the American economy!!! Does this mean we’re not a shithole country no mo?? But no report crossed his various feeds. Does that mean it didn’t come off??
But your Eyewitness would’ve gone in person for the “immersion” if…
They could pick the Latin-themed “What happens in Miami…” as part of their showcasing of American culture, why not Black American culture of Harlem (NYC), Bronzeville (Chicago), or Jackson Mississippi etc?? Your Eyewitness would’ve liked to enjoy “soul food” – not to mention “soul music” straight outa Compton!!
Rather than having Koreans sucking the wealth outa those communities, maybe we could visit and pump some money into them??
…hazing
Thank God for our courts. Imagine the GRA harassing a returning Guyanese who’d qualified for a duty-free vehicle as to where he got the money to buy said vehicle!! “What business is that of theirs?” asked the CJ!!
