Walter Rodney deserves more than a token monument
Though I supported President Granger for the 2020 election, I see Dr. Ali as the hope for our country for one simple fact – he is the president and must meet the major challenges of his presidency by forging a united and inclusive nation. This task is paramount because, from when we gained our independence, we have been a racially splintered nation. Now, with our future hitched to multinational corporations, we must realize that imperialism has morphed into that multi-headed hydra, intent on maximizing their profits. However, we must not take brazen, impulsive, and contrary steps to manage our newly acquired resources, by ourselves, since we may not have the human, technological and monetary capabilities to accomplish this task effectively. We need these corporations. We only need to review our misstep with nationalization.
While we may debate, dissect and rationalize the demise of nationalization, it failed. Raised during that era, I knew we were a divided nation then, as we are today, fifty years later. For this reason, it is essential that we stand united as a nation and recognize that we need each other. It is my humble plea that President Ali, honour our native son and national hero — Dr. Walter Rodney. Dr. Rodney, when the PPP was voiceless, spoke against the domineering PNC. Dr. Rodney’s courageous actions and voice is still as relevant as the day when he awakened a consciousness that still resonates in our hearts. Many of us still love and honour this man because he stood for the rights of all of us. I remember being with him in the New Amsterdam market looking for an Indian woman, a centenarian, selling vegetables in the sun. Dr. Rodney was moved because she had served her country and her country did not honour her, then, with a deserved pension.
We need more than a token monument for this great man. Dr. Rodney must be an instrument of light and hope for our country where we will continue to see that it is better to be loved for our high principles and not for money and power. President Ali has the opportunity to show his, and his party’s moral standing, by commissioning an inclusive project that will unite and awaken the youths to Dr. Rodney’s teaching and dedication to his country.
Sincerely,
Stanley Niamatali