Quotations by Dr. Cheddi Jagan
"We must all remember the lessons of the past
as a guide for the management of the present and
the planning for the future."
A copy of Dr. Jagan's handwritten quotation.
"In multi-ethnic societies like Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago, it is necessary to fight against racist ideology and racial stereotypes which were created and fostered by the capitalist/colonialist ruling class, and later exploited by self-serving politicians. It must be recognized that whatever our racial origin, we have a common heritage. Our forefathers, regardless of ethnic, religious and cultural differences, watered the sugar cane with their blood, sweat and tears." 1988
"So far as we in the PPP are concerned, the struggle is waged on two fronts - national and international: national, against PNC minority government, authoritarian military/police and bureaucratic/administrative methods of rule, political and racial discrimination, corruption and extravagance and for a better life for the Guyanese people: International, against imperialist domination and exploitation and for peaceful coexistence, détente, disarmament and peace." 1980's
"How can you preach in Sunday school and elsewhere: 'thou shall not steal,' when stealing at the top has become the high road to "success;" when the weapon of extortion is used to collect hundreds of thousands of dollars from businessmen; when a whole government is stolen by rigged election; when the dead, the underaged and the non-existent vote at elections; when persons including pensioners, government employees, those in receipt of social assistance, and so on, are coerced into signing application forms for proxy and postal voting; when names are forged for proxy and postal voting, thus denying persons their right to vote; when the powers of the Elections Commission are eroded, the law requiring the publication of the list of proxies is broken, and ballot boxes are tampered with?" July 11, 1973
"October 5th is a time for democratic renewal; a time for the rule of law; a time for peace and harmony; a time for change and a time to rebuild...A bold new era is before us. Let's move forward in togetherness!"
October 5, 1993
"From this day forward we shall need the goodwill and hard work of all our people so that we may proceed to make our country a fit and proper home for heroes in the struggle for political and economic independence. Let there be an end to sectional racial quarrels and suspicions so that national unity may be restored." 1961
"I don’t think I have reached the pinnacle of my life, for the Presidency is only a means to an end, to attain the end is to attain a sane and safe world, to bring an end to exploitation, suffering and misery, to construct a New Global Human Order. The struggle will continue." 1995
"I believe that my first charge is to raise my people from the mire of poverty in which, for too long, they have suffered. I have never made any secret of my views. I have been thrown out of office. I have been subjected to violence, indignity and jail. I am willing to face these things again, and gladly, in the fight to free my people and aid them. Here I stand. Here I will stand until I die." 1961
"I am aware of the changes that are still necessary for the people of Guyana, because I look at them with the eyes of the people and not with the privileged eyes of the privileged few who have always had things easy and so did not want a change."
"What I am certain about is that if elections were held tomorrow, we would win an overall majority. However, I must state my fears about future prospects for democracy and freedom. As the government loses more support from its rank and file disillusioned supporters, it will resort to force and fraud to remain in power. The position of the USA and its client Stated abroad is one based on political immorality. The present government was put in position of authority by fraud and it will no doubt attempt to remain in power by hook or crook. But whatever they do, I have every certainty that we will win in the end." 1967
"I have never associated with "Prophets of Doom" rather I have always been and will always be a supreme optimist." 1997
" My opponents say 'Jagan, you are honest and sincere, but we don't' like your connections and associations and methods. Your goals, your ends may be good, but your means are foul, wicked and bad.' My answer to that is very simple. If I am honest and sincere, it is because of my beliefs, my ideology. For me, there is a unity of ends and means. Every means must be good in itself no matter in what stage of struggle. Freedom is inseparable from struggle."
"As a passionate anti-Colonialist, I am interested in the independence of my country - political independence; as an anti-Imperialist, I am interested in putting an end to the domination and subjection of the economy of my country; as the Democrat, I am interested in preserving the liberties and freedom of the people - not only in preserving but in enlarging them; as a Socialist, I am interested in the creation of a new society which will lay the basis for the end of exploitation... It is because I have stood up for the working-class, that they have voted for me. I have not put a bayonet on their backs and said " Come vote for me . I am interested in creating a free Guiana and a new society – a society free from exploitation, a society of equality and brotherhood where truly human relationships will prevail." 1961
