…deferred?
Just around the time the PPP was launched in the early 1950’s in Guyana to agitate for the independence from Britain, over in the US, African Americans were once again questioning where exactly they figured in the “American Dream”. After all, the American Republic had been founded on the promise “all men were created equal” with the “inalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”! And blacks shore weren’t treated equally then. Now?
The poet Langston Hughes asked the question in his poem “Harlem”, “What happens to a dream deferred?” And he wondered, “Does it dry up/Like a raisin in the sun?/ Or fester like a sore—/ And then run?/ Does it stink like rotten meat?/ Or crust and sugar over—/ like a syrupy sweet?/ Maybe it just sags/ like a heavy load./ Or does it explode?”
And here we are in Guyana, 50 years after we DID get “independence” and if we’re honest with ourselves – whether we’re supporters of the PNC, PPP or AFC – we must accept Langston Hughes’ question is still a valid one for us, the Guyanese people. Especially now that Budget 2017’s being presented. What happens to our dreams that’ve been deferred since 1966?
Because we did have dreams didn’t we? The British had raped us for 150 years…and before that the Dutch. We had been treated as chattel that had no rights…and as bonded labour that was supposed to have SOME rights that were respected in the breach more than anything else. So we dreamt of a time when we too could live with some measure of ease in dignity.
And those who we elected as our leaders to fight for those dreams to become reality promised us that was their mission. The latest lot that were put at the head of the Government – the PNC-led coalition Government – actually promised to deliver “the Good Life”. In capital letters. But the sad reality this budget exposes is those leaders only see the dream for themselves.
How else could the Cabinet give themselves a 50 per cent raise, but Government workers 10 per cent and sugar workers zero per cent? Isn’t that what the British used to do with one salary scale for themselves another (much lower one) for the “natives”? How could they impose hidden taxes on basic items for the poor via the ironically named “exempt” VAT category, when Prezzie’s $24 million annual salary is tax free?
So have our dreams dried up like raisins in the heat of official scorn and neglect? Or is like a festering sore that runs with pus?
Or maybe explode?
But for that to happen, we have to start thinking for ourselves, don’t we?
…not relevant?
After our, so called “independence”, our own poet Bob Marley took notice of our “dreams deferred” and crooned his “Redemption Song”. He gave us – and our leaders – the historical background for our condition: “Old pirates, yes, they rob I,/ Sold I to the merchant ships.” But those pirates and ships were commissioned by the Queen who legalised that inaugural “human trafficking” by passing laws that said we weren’t human.
But today, in pursuit of our dream of equality, our leaders in Caricom have crafted a demand for reparations from Britain. When David Cameron, then PM of Britain, came to the Caribbean, some enlightened leaders warned us to “beware of Brits bearing gifts” – while denying us our just reparations claims.
But to our surprise, Harry, grandson of the Queen – head of the State of Britain and Church of England – visited here, the local leader of the Reparations Committee said “the ‘Prince’ has no say” in reparations so don’t bring up the matter.
He should, emancipate himself from mental slavery!
…of El Dorado
Back in the day, Queen Elizabeth I authorised Walter Raleigh to seek gold in our El Dorado. He failed and was beheaded.
So how come El Dorado’s been found but we’re still dirt poor? Should we behead someone?
