The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) in Guyana must have thought they were making a shrewd political move when they invited Congressman Jonathan Jackson, the African American representative from Illinois, to visit the Mocha community. Perhaps they believed that bringing in the son of civil rights icon Jesse Jackson would lend legitimacy to their actions and quell the growing unrest. Little did they know, they were setting the stage for their own exposure.
The visit was intended to be a show of celebration, a nod to Guyana’s independence and the accomplishments of the Afro-Guyanese community. I can only imagine the carefully crafted invitation they sent to Congressman Jackson, filled with platitudes about heritage and progress. But the truth on the ground was far from the image they hoped to project.
In a grievous act of oppression, the PPP had bulldozed properties in Mocha, traumatized its citizens, and appropriated lands for their cronies. This wasn’t just an attack on homes; it was an assault on the very fabric of a community. The PPP’s audacity in thinking they could manipulate the narrative by inviting a congressman of African descent reveals their deep-seated racism and condescension.
What the PPP failed to recognize is that anyone raised in the shadow of Jesse Jackson understands the mechanisms of oppression and the resilience of those who fight against it. Congressman Jonathan Jackson, with his heritage and empathy, was not going to be easily swayed by superficial gestures.
The disrespect reached a peak when the PPP sent Kwame McKoy to be Jackson’s envoy in Mocha. McKoy, a figure mired in allegations of violence against women and underage sexual misconduct, was a poor choice to represent any form of genuine concern or justice. Congressman Jackson quickly saw through this charade. He diplomatically sidestepped McKoy’s attempts to control the narrative, opening the floor for the Mocha residents to voice their grievances.
In doing so, Congressman Jackson showcased the very qualities that the PPP underestimated: integrity, empathy, and a deep connection to the struggles of Black people everywhere. The Mocha victims, for the first time, had a platform to share their anguish and pain with someone who truly listened and understood.
The PPP’s attempt to use Congressman Jackson as a pawn backfired spectacularly. They exposed not only their disdain for Black people but also their gross miscalculation in underestimating the resolve and solidarity within the African diaspora. They believed they could bribe or manipulate their way to a sanitized narrative, but Congressman Jackson’s visit shattered that illusion.
What happened in Mocha is reprehensible, and history will not absolve the PPP of their actions. The community’s suffering cannot be brushed aside by political maneuvers or empty celebrations. Congressman Jonathan Jackson’s visit was a timely reminder of what true leadership and empathy look like. He exemplified what it means to be a politician, a diplomat, and a man of the people.
Congressman Jackson’s presence in Mocha brought much-needed attention to the injustices faced by the community and offered a glimmer of hope that their voices will not be silenced. It was a powerful testament to the enduring fight for justice and the unwavering solidarity among those who stand against oppression.