Assassination of Courtney Crum-Ewing – Guyana – March 10, 2015
Photo Credit: Kaieteur News
On March 10, 2015, Courtney Crum-Ewing was gunned down during his one-man crusade in his neighborhood, calling on residents with a bullhorn to vote out the current government in the upcoming May elections.
Growing up in Guyana during our struggle for independence from Britain and over subsequent years under an authoritarian government, I was not surprised by this brutal act against an unarmed, political activist. One of the advantages of growing up in the administrative capital of a small developing nation was the opportunity to get a close up view of politicians and government in action.
At a young age, I learned that the government was not some entity separate from we-the-people, but rather an integral and vital part of our daily lives. When a government is efficient and effective in executing its diverse functions, no one notices its existence. Not so in a small struggling young nation where bad roads took lives; where a movie at the cinema was cut short due to an unexpected blackout; where yards and streets flood during heavy rainfall; where tap water was red in color but declared safe to drink; where the importation of wheat flour was banned for lack of foreign currency… I could go on and on.
I learned that good governance depends upon politicians who place the needs of the people and nation before their personal gains. Corrupt politicians—those who receive kickbacks from local and foreign contractors and consultants, as well as pocket a percentage of foreign investment loans for their personal enrichment—bankrupt the nation, disrupt law and order, and foment moral decline.
I learned that political power in the hands of unscrupulous and narcissistic individuals lead to abuse of power and impunity. Such individuals have no qualms in silencing and executing those who threaten their authority.
I learned that control of the media, public and private, prevents the dissemination of information of vital importance to the population: poor governance, corrupt politicians, failures within the system, and abuses of power.
I learned that when politicians of opposition parties cannot work together in the interest of the nation, the entire system falls apart. With the collapse of law and order, the country becomes the playground of the world’s underworld and exploitative corporations.
I learned that when there is free and fair elections—without intimidation and with foreign oversight—our vote counts. When we fail to cast our vote, we empower those voters who have a personal stake in the current system of influence, abuse, and impunity.
Courtney Crum-Ewing was prepared to go it alone in protesting the abuse of political power and to wake up the population from their apathy. Honor his sacrifice by going out to vote on May 11, 2015. His life mattered. Your life matters. The lives of your children matter.
guyaneseonline said:
Reblogged this on Guyanese Online and commented:
Thanks Rosaliene.
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Thanks for sharing my blog post, Cyril.
They have silenced Courtney Crum-Ewing with deadly force. It’s now up to us to pick up that bullhorn lying on the ground beside his lifeless body.
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Sage said:
Thanks Rosaliene, I hope all Guyana listen to your call, but then again if one party lose under free and fair elections it would still complain and call on Georgetown for more fire.
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
You make a valid point, Sage. You have only to look at what has happened in the USA (where I live) when a black president was elected by the nation.
If the majority of the Guyanese people – of all ethnicities – want a change of government, and if the current ruling party truly have the interests of their people at heart, they will find a way to work together for the good of the nation. Of course, that’s an ideal situation. A lot of compromise will be needed on all sides. There’s no way forward for a nation divided. Only the minority ruling elite and their buddies benefit and prosper.
This growing inequality in Guyana and worldwide is the scourge of our times – resulting in chaos, ecosystems collapse, and eventually, if not stopped, the sixth extinction with the human species in the mix.
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drgeraldstein said:
In connection with your essay, your readers might be interested in the following book review in today’s NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/22/books/review/the-age-of-acquiescence-by-steve-fraser.html?hpw&rref=books&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=well-region®ion=bottom-well&WT.nav=bottom-well&_r=0
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Thanks for sharing the link, Dr. Stein. I read a review of Fraser’s book on Truthout and have it on my To Read List.
The oppressed black community in my native land has been jolted awake by the assassination of a black, peaceful protestor. It now remains to be seen if they will go to the polls. In the USA, we’ve had Ferguson but white Americans, in general, have not yet awakened to reality.
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drgeraldstein said:
From what I read about voting in Ferguson, it appears that voting has not been a high priority there either.
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de castro said:
Rosaliene
Beautiful words written from the heart…love your country/peoples as y
ou would love yourself !
After the election fever has subsided….Courtney Crum – Ewing
and Walter Rodney are two names that will remain in the hearts and minds
of all Guyanese wherever they live.
Que Sera
Kamtan
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Thanks, Kamtan. If there is life after death, Courtney will be in good company with Rodney and other Guyanese heroes.
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de castro said:
On my side of the Atlantic the European dream is still in it’s embryonic
stage politically. Think its a case of ‘cart before horse’….economic before
political (cultural) union of its peoples.
In national elections turn out is minimal ….in European elections its less
than 35%….
People are disillusioned with our political class…
Local elections have a much higher turn out and its annually.
The swiss political system is most sensible (6 million people but landlocked)
where you must be a citizen of your canton (where you must live for
a decade) before you are a citizen of Switzerland.
Residential status as important as citizenship.
With national elections yearly.
Politicians must be accountable for their decisions.
Guyana with less than a million ….5 year terms …no local elections for
a decade…. corruption status quo politically its a uphill struggle but
not an impossible task…..am optimistic !
Let’s hope they do the right thing on may 11th.
UK its 7 may ….voting locally and nationally.
My town of 150.000 will re-elect LABOUR for a third year running.
Nationally we will have a ‘hung parliament’ with coalition government.
Deals behind closed doors after elections….
Either major players LABOUR or CONSERVATIVES in a coalition
to form government…..majority in parliament.
Its a numbers game…party politics.
Necessary to have 301 elected MP s to form a government.
Coalitions governments seem to dominate UK EURO politics.
My spill
Kamtan (always vote either in person or by post) but hoping to be able to do so by e mail…..
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Kamtan, the Swiss political system does appear sensible. With yearly elections, I imagine this would also deter career politicians who just want to milk the system.
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cochorenews said:
Reblogged this on Cochore News.
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
A big thank you to the team at Cochore News for sharing my post with your readers.
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Christy Birmingham said:
May Courtney rest in peace. You are so right Rosaliene in your words about us not noticing a government when it does work efficiently… we need to bring attention to both positive and negative activities. I hope your urging for people to vote is heard.
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Thanks, Christy.
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Claire Marie O'Brien said:
Reblogged this on Eléctrica in the Desert.
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Thanks for sharing my post with your readers, Claire. Much appreciated 🙂
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Claire Marie O'Brien said:
Thank-YOU
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Claire Marie O'Brien said:
I reblogged this on Electrica in the Desert.Thank-you Rosaliene.
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tosca1953 said:
Thanks to you Rose, and your followers and commenters, for my continuing to keep my political eyes wide open.
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Thanks for dropping by, Angela.
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de castro said:
Observation
One doesn’t have to be politically active to influence change.
However political awareness and the expressing of such
does have the desired effect
The end is mightier than the sword…
Write on..
Truth to power !
Que Sera Sera
Nigerian leaders have set the precedent for the political class.
Observer
Kamtan
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Rosaliene Bacchus said:
Thanks, Kamtan 🙂
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