WE ARE SECOND-CLASS IN OUR OWN COUNTRY

It’s no wonder people don’t mind being Second-class in someone else’s country

“I can’t understand why Mahes thought of going to England of all places.” Shelton Perera, the proprietor of the Wallside Restaurant and Bar was referring to his nephew who had flown to UK the night before ostensibly ‘to study and become an engineer’.”

“Well, it was the boy’s decision. There’s nothing wrong with that, is there?” Joy, Shelton’s better half arranging some cushions on a sofa observed.

Prolonged study

Ordianry governors here are all SecondClass in their homeland. Can’t blame them for thinking they’ll be a damn sight better off in another country–even as Second-Class governors

“Huh, that’s what he says. I bet he will drag on his studies on purpose to stick around in England and have a grand time. That’s what most of our fellows do. I heard of some fellows who went to England and the States ten years ago to study are still there–apparently studying. I also heard that there is a racket using dead people’s passports to hang on in Blighty.”

“I suppose that’s easier than emigrating,” laughed Joy.

“But, why go to such a cold and miserable country? Everybody talks of our fellows doing well in the UK and elsewhere. But is it true? I tell you, there are a hell of a lot of our fellows living in misery overseas. They are unable to return: it’s embarrassing for one thing and they have burnt their boats here. When I was in London sometime ago I met some of our guys, not professionals but ordinary chaps doing ordinary jobs–any job that’s going–to get by. Many were moonlighting to pay the next week’s rent. You can identify them easily because most look like beggars in used clothes crimped from the Red Cross. In any case they are SecondClass.”

Second-Class

Joy raised her eyebrows. “Why do you say Second-Class Shelley?”

“Sri Lankans are Second-Class whether they are in England, the States, Australia, Europe or Canada or wherever they end up abroad.”

“How can you say that Shelley,” protested Joy. “Many Sri Lankan doctors, engineers and other professionals are doing very well in other countries.”

“Oh sure, you are talking of professionals doing well materially. But they are only accepted professionally. That’s about it. FirstClass natives rarely intermingle socially with Second-Class types. And even with globalization and the world getting smaller, skin colour still matters. Just ask a Sri Lankan, an Indian, Pakistani or an easterner about racism. Also the Second–Class status might change to Third-Class or Classless if a Second-Classer gets married to a bar maid, a cleaning lady’s daughter, a cockney or a nanny old enough to be a mama. I fear for Mahes.” “Don’t be so negative Shelley. Our chaps are doing well abroad…Mahes will too.”

“Darlo, even if Mahes makes it, his skills will be used for the good of Queen and country and the common cause of the EU. Oh, yes, skilled foreign- ers are welcome abroad, but they’ll still be Second Class,” said Shelton in a tone of finality.

“Shelley, what is Second-Class really?”

It means there’s a First-Class

“Ahh, Second-Class simply means there’s a First-Class. Let me explain. A SecondClass citizen is a person, usually an immigrant, who is given a raw deal although he has similar rights as First-Class citizens.

In real life Second-Class citizens have limited chances to get ahead in life is because instead of supporting them, FirstClass fellows in the majority actually use the law and their majority clout to make life difficult for the Second- Class crowd. Our guys overseas have problems in education, language, employment, equal treatment and justice, housing, marriage, social affairs and so on. You see First-Class types make sure Second-Class types who are not crooks or terrorists stay SecondClass. Both subtle and heavy handed bullying is in vogue.

And don’t think only immigrants are treated as Second-Class. It could be inhouse affairs too. Think of the African Apartheid, the Catholics of Northern Ireland, Negroes called the Black-Americans today, tribes in power in African countries kicking the hell out of other tribes, divisions in the Middle East, Russian treatment of its satellites. Add the reality of ethnic minorities, religious marginalisation and poor people who can’t afford to push their rights because they can’t afford lawyers. They are all to Second- Class groups under the heel of First-Class groups.”

“Like it or not this is the form. Play acting in equality in bubbling democracies is just eye-wash. That is why I can’t understand why our people decide to sample greener pastures.”

“I really don’t see the issue the way you do, Shelley. Surely they get somewhere in their lives.”

“Yes, yes, in material terms as I told you,” reminded Shelton.

A Second-Class under a No-Class

Ooty an owl and his working partner at the Wallside Restaurant and Bar, Tommo, a pussycat lounging in their master’s sitting room as they usually do were all ears to their master’s and mistress’s conversation. The owl was quick to make a pertinent observation.

“Thu-hoot. But the fact is our governors are still mad in buzzing off to US, UK, Australia, Canada and other places. They don’t seem to care they’ll end up SecondClass governors getting kicked around by First- Class governors.” “Meeooww,” yawned Tommo the pussycat. “You heard what Mr Shelton said about Second-Class governors, no?”

“Thuhoot, of course I was listening you chump.”

“Purrshsh. Just think about

No-one will know for sure. But the sound of cawing for a Constituitonal shake up is growing louder and bolder. I think there’ a lot more brewing than what meets the eye. And I feel that the jokers in the saddle will turn to dirty tricks to keep riding

the lives our governors lead here. Are they First-Class citizens in their own country? They are bloody well not. Consider their situ in jobs, decent pay, justice and fair play, fences around their freedom of speech and writing, not being heard, mess in education from A to Z, political bullying, thuggery and lawlessness in a funny democracy. Our governors are Second-Class sinners suffering at the hands of another class that’s certainly not First-Class but a No-Class full of politiccas of a special kind, their lackeys, boot lickers and governors who have made heaps of serresteri fleecing ordinary governors.”

“Tooot. That’s common knowledge.”

Changing the Constitution

“Meeoowwyep (Yep). Ordianry governors are Second-Class in their homeland. Can’t blame them for thinking they’ll be a damn sight better off in some other country–even as Second-Class governors.”

“Thuhoot. But then a good lot of our decent, capable governors are going for good. How do you stop it, aaah?”

“That’s a tough ask. But something might happen if the silly mess our governors call their Constitution is changed by governors who know what they are doing. The new Constitution should make sure that more jokers of the type in governance today will never step on the carpets of the House by the lake. It should also make the mahouts on white elephants galivanting in the provinces disappear.”

“Whoom, whoooom,” tittered the owl. “That will be the day! Anyway do you think that change will make all our governors First-Class?” “No-one will know for sure. But the sounds of cawing for a Constituitonal shake up are growing louder and bolder. I think there’ a lot more brewing than what meets the eye. And I feel the jokers in the saddle will turn to dirty tricks to keep riding.”

“Tootahwell.” (Ah, well). For our governors’ sake I will pray for such days to come quickly.”

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