Guyana has arrived at a very peculiar position in history. We are enjoying freedoms that we only dreamt about two or three decades ago. The freedom to which I refer has to do with the freedom to express oneself, albeit in ignorance.

On Labour Day the members of the GPSU who had congregated in the Critchlow Labour College (CLC) compound after the march, acted extremely hostile to the Prime Minister on his arrival at that venue. He, as is usual with leaders all over the world, went to celebrate with the workers; but the hype surrounding the CLC subvention issue resulted in that action.

While it is the right of individuals to decide whom they will listen to, it is the responsibility of leaders to educate the masses. The attitude of some leaders to dissuade their followers from listening to any opposing point of view is counter productive to the edification of the masses.

From the inception of the CLC subvention issue, the union, and to some extent the media by it publishing these views without any correction or counter statements, has consistently misrepresented the issue. This misrepresentation cannot be corrected in the minds of individuals unless they are willing to hear another view. That ‘other’ view is what the union has programmed its membership to shut out.

This posture by some leaders in sections of the society has resulted in a high level of ignorance and contributes to the low level of debates when dealing with issues in Guyana.

The fear of these leaders to have persons listen to other views is understandable; but the acceptance by an individual that whatever is fed to them by another individual is the truth and nothing but the truth is worrisome.

As individuals, we need to explore issues that are occurring in our society. For too long we have allowed others to think for us and tell us how to act. We need to listen to opposing views, just because they are contrary to what we believe, to understand the thinking of those who share a different view. This was indeed a sad moment for the working class in Guyana.
EDWARD SIMON