UT College of Liberal Arts

Across A Bridge in Linden: To El Dorado or a Symbol of our Historical Dilemma.

Wismar-Mackenzie Bridge, Linden The Guyana Police Force. Improperly Dressed for Peace (C) Norvell Fredericks Demerara Bauxite Company was Canadian owned before nationalization in 1970.Things have changed ((C) N. Fredericks) The People United ((c) N. Fredericks) By: Clairmont Chung On July 18, 2012 residents in Linden, Guyana, blocked a bridge in protest against a plan to increase electricity rates. The State responded by firing on the unarmed crowd. Three people died and several more were wounded. Residents responded by seizing and occupying that, and a second, bridge. A state of siege, undeclared martial law, descended on the community and continues as I write. Here I attempt to show the history of our dependence on fuels, energy, and violence and why the bridge at Linden is such an important symbol. Linden is not alone, it’s happening to people everywhere. It is not a romantic lament about the good old days. They were not. It’s the same strategy of old...

Not You Too Dr. West: The Need for a Wider Perspective on Reparations than ADOS

by clairmont chung As I write, people of African ascent [1] are streaming across borders in the same way as Latin Americans at the US border. They are moving from turmoil and uncertainty to a promise of change. Significant numbers are dying in that effort. The destination countries pronounce on who is eligible to enter and who is not. None take any responsibility for the conditions back in the source countries. Groups within the destination countries are even more explicit about not accepting more immigrants and limiting the rights and entitlements of those already present. This article is not to address the many reasons for desperate people to take dangerous trips. Instead, it is about a specific group: American Descendants of Slaves (ADOS) attempting to deny reparative US resources to persons whose ancestors were never enslaved in the US. This is just another form of anti-immigrant sentiment and part of a global wave of conservatism tha...

After C.L.R. James, what? Beckles?

Clairmont Chung What’s in a Name? C.L.R. James The unwarranted comparisons between Chris Gayle and ‘Dudus’ Coke, Worrell and Sammy, betray where Beckles’ loyalties lie and his analysis of West Indies cricket begins. The problem is compounded by where he situates himself and who he represents. The tenuous foundation on which he builds dooms the structure. In placing Sammy as captain, he seeks to do for Sammy what CLR.James did for Worrell. From there he made the comparison. James because of his writings and political analysis is credited with the ascension of Worrell to the captaincy of WI. Of course, Worrell was eminently qualified. After the success, James in a plea to rest Worrell asked, “After Frank Worrell, what?” Beckles in his recent plea to retain Sammy, asked, “After Sammy, then what? Then who?” There is no mistake here. Beckles fancies himself in the same shoes as James: a kingmaker. Beckles places himself in the same historical place as CLR James. B...

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