We owe it to them…

Just after Christmas a stalwart of the People’s United Party, Louise Bevans, passed away. She was laid to rest on January 2nd. Her daughter who is my dear friend and co-worker says that she was fondly called ‘PUP Louise’ until the day she closed her eyes for that final time and she will be remembered as ‘PUP Louise’ by her family and friends. Doreth also remembers times when her father was left without food because her mother was cooking for some PUP function or the other.

This morning I had the opportunity to speak to Ms. Birdie at PUP headquarters, and she was telling me just how bad things are on the streets for our people. Like Miss Louise, they don’t come any more PUP than Miss Birdie. There has been no PUP function in recent memory at which Miss Birdie has been absent. She paid the price for her love for the PUP when she was victimized by Mayor Zenaida Moya. She has not said so in my hearing, but I know that Miss Birdie has suffered real financial hardship since the UDP punished her. But her love for the PUP has remained strong and bright for all to see – no ifs, ands, buts or maybes…! Today I also had the opportunity to observe a man I have not seen for some time. Joe Eralez was helped up the steps of PUP headquarters this morning to lend his support at a press conference. Joe is sick, and has been sick for some time now. He is a far cry from the firebrand he once was, but his love for the PUP remains as bright and brilliant as ever. As physically painful as it must have been, Joe was there with his party today – in solidarity, in support and in love.

There are many such stories and many such persons whom we young ‘uns tend to disregard and yes, in a way disrespect. Many of us from the 90s on think that we are the soldiers who keep the fight alive and we are the ones that this thing is all about. Hey, taking nothing away from those of us who are ready at all times to get down and dirty and battle in the trenches. But see, there were so many others before us who were fighting the fight when our diapers were still being changed. People like Miss Louise and Joe Eralez and Miss Birdie – who were in the trenches decades ago and even now, when the younger heads become embroiled in turmoil and trials, remain dedicated to the cause of the People’s United Party – ready to kick butt and take names for the blue machine. We owe them so much.

I decided to go off on this tangent today because of the press conference held this morning at PUP headquarters. Hell, I’m one of the biggest cynics I know (by biggest I mean degree of cynicism as opposed to size of body, for you clowns and haters out there). I’m not sure how long I’ve been this way, but I can say that even if I wasn’t a cynic before I got tangled up in the political game, I would still be a full-blown certified cynic after my experiences. I say that to say this – I saw a People’s United Party today which was united – no lip service, but real unity. I saw a PUP with representation from the older heads and the younger bright minds. I saw representation from the old warriors and the new young upstarts who are ready to wage war. And I say this with all frankness and sincerity – when you get the caliber of people and caliber of intellects that was in that room this morning representing the PUP, the UDP doesn’t stand a chance. I think I am being too charitable when I say that the combined brainpower in the UDP wouldn’t be enough to light an 8 watt bulb. Seriously!

I have no doubt that the UDP is now sitting up and taking notice. In fact, as I expected, Joe and Fonso were hard at work this morning attacking all and sundry involved in the press conference. See, I’ve learned that the UDP modus operandi is to attack what they fear and tear into anything which threatens them. So apart from Fonso and Joe providing the usual comic relief, they are also sending out a message that the UDP is very fearful and very threatened. That’s a good thing for us.

I end by saying that fighting this good fight should never be about egos and power and petty crap. In fact this isn’t even about the handful of people whose names will be on a ballot come general elections. In the end, what should make politics worthwhile and fulfilling should be service to our people. If it’s not about that then you’re in the wrong field, buddy. If you’re not doing it for all those tens of thousands of people who have given and continue to give their all to the PUP in good times and bad then you’re doing it for the wrong reasons. Some of those who fought the good fight for the blue machine have passed on. Many of them are still waging war for the blue machine. And many of us young ‘uns are learning from those old warriors valuable lessons in dedication, in commitment and in political battle tactics. We owe everything to them. YOU owe it to us.

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