Quotations by Janet Jagan

“I have no religion save the religion of equality.” 1967

"You're never beaten as long as you go on fighting." Handwritten quote

"No one knows the future. Whatever I have to do, I'll do until the time comes when I can't do it." 1997

“I am a hard worker and I intend to work very hard. I have always been part of a team; I have never been a loner. I have never stood by myself and dictated. I don’t believe in it….I believe in consultation, I believe in consensus...I believe in sharing the responsibilities of government. I also intend to work very closely with each of the Ministers, give then guidelines, ask them to come to the Cabinet with their various problems and new ideas. In fact, one of the things I am very keen on is new ideas, new ways of doing things, new ways of resolving problems and I encourage all the Ministers to participate at their fullest. So if that's a style, then that's how I intend to go about my business. Jan 18, 1998 (Interview by Martin Goolsarran)

“A special thanks to my colleagues in the PPP and its leadership who have walked with me and my husband all these years. I want to thank the thousands from all walks of life who have welcomed me in their homes, who have visited me in my office, who have written me and have sent me photographs, messages of support and have kept me aware of the problems and aspirations of the Guyanese people. Meeting you, my Guyanese friends, was the best part of the job.” Aug 8, 1999

“By taking me to the library when I was a little girl, my father gave me one of the greatest blessings I have ever had – a love of books. Reading has been one of the great joys of my life and one, which I recognise, has carried me through periods when life was not always what I had hoped for.” 2002

"Jail wasn’t easy from the physical point of view. But like my husband, I treasured the quiet of jail from the furor outside. I did a lot of reading after insisting that women, like men, should have a right to have books. I also did handicrafts and my stuffed dolls and animals were sold outside." Oct 2003

“We have much to be proud of as we celebrate October 5th and we must not allow the negative elements in our society to suggest, as they do all the time, that we have not made positive gains. All we have to do is open our eyes and see that Guyanese today are better off in many, many ways than before, that democracy is in full bloom, that poverty is shrinking and that, most of all, people are free!” October 2004

"As to my responsibilities to the PPP, I think my approach has always been regular and steady work and attention to all problems." Nov 2004

“Looking back to those days (when I attended Wayne University) I believe my later involvement in the anti-colonial struggle in the then British Guiana was greatly influenced by two factors: the prejudices and discrimination l met as a Jew and the radicalism I met and participated in at Wayne University were decisive in molding my character into a person who despised discrimination and injustice and joined the long struggle as a freedom fighter in the world oppressed by imperialism and all its tentacles.” April 2007

Remembering Cheddi

“I can testify to the very special qualities that have made him what he has become in the hearts of all Guyanese. He was, above all a fighter, a man dedicated to win advances, not only for the people of his native land but for all humanity.

He was a man who never gave up. When the odds were high against him, in the face of almost hopeless situations, he never lost strength, never lost the will to achieve his goals.

I can testify to his goodness, to his honesty and integrity, to his lack of concern for the material things of life; to his remarkable intellect, always seeking answers, always examining all aspects of a mater, always seeking the truth.

He was constantly analysing, looking at two, three or four sides of a problem in order to arrive at the correct answer.” March 10, 1997

"From the start, Cheddi and I went in together and stated everything together...I have always been my own person….We were strong believers in socialism and the socialist countries. But we weren't fanatical about it. The international friendships we developed during that period were important, but our main interest was Guyana and what was best for right here…We never compromised our beliefs.” (She said that she still considered herself a socialist. 1997 – Larry Rother – New York Times

"We were husband and wife, father and mother. He (Cheddi Jagan) inspired me to do what I'm doing now. I wouldn’t have done it if it were not for him." 1998 (interview with Ira Mathur)

“Dr Jagan always held close to his heart the need to create a harmonious society. We have to continue his efforts and remove whatever impediments exist that divide us and I will continue in that direction.” Jan 18, 1998 (interview by Martin Goolsarran)

"Cheddi's long march from Port Mourant, a small rural village in the eastern part of Guyana, to become the first freely elected President of Guyana, until his return to Port Mourant where he was cremated, spanned a half of a century. During that period, he did what few men have done in their lifetime: he committed himself to a single goal of freedom for his country and people and never, even for once, wavered. In many ways his struggles and his accomplishments are so intertwined with the history of his country that sometimes it is difficult to study one without the other. Having dominated so much of Guyana's post World War II history, he perhaps contradicted his own view that history is not made by individuals but by the people. But that is only seemingly so. In fact he was the embodiment of the people's struggles. He became their most ardent defender, teacher and organiser. He never marched alone and that is perhaps the most single important reason for his success. He captured their basic interests in his programmatic platforms and defended these with a missionary zeal unmatched by any one in the last hundred years in Guyana. The same way he became their hope for liberation, in similar fashion he was their conscience. He was always there when the people needed him most and they put their faith in him, as one they knew would never betray the cause." March 27, 1999

"On this, his birth Anniversary (March 22) I would like you to join me in remembering Cheddi Jagan, the warm - hearted husband, father, grandfather and family man...He was a man who believed completely in women's rights, and at many times in my life, when I preferred a back seat, he would urge me to the front, as he did when I became a candidate in the 1947 elections and those thereafter. Even though he spent all his time writing, speaking and organising, he would help in the kitchen, wash dishes, carry out the garbage, etc. Unlike most Guyanese men, he accepted whatever meals and household arrangements were made without a grumble or a demand." March 22, 2001

"Cheddi Jagan was very easy to live with. His needs or requirements were small. He ate small amounts of food and never over ate. He loved to garden and plant fruit trees. One of his greatest enjoyments was to eat the fruit from the trees he had planted and cared for. He exercised daily, usually while listening to the news. Every day, at least twice a day, he had to hear the news and his greatest possession was a small radio he could carry about and listen to when he had time." 2002

"As a family man, he was a role model. He did his best to give his brothers and sisters an education. He was a loving son to his mother and father, helping them as they had helped him. To his own children he was a caring father - a hero. He enjoyed being a grandfather and had fun with them, as well as guiding them. I recall how he would cut fruit for them and encourage them to eat local foods and not so many sweets. As a husband, he was understanding and demonstrated his genuine belief in the equality of women." Babu John on March 3, 2002

"Dr Jagan, has made a distinguished contribution, in theory and practice, to the transformation of the political culture, the termination of British imperial hegemony and the beginnings of the development of a modern independent state in Guyana. While there are other roles and contributions for which he will be revered, it is truly through his political leadership and for the formation of the Guyana state that he will be remembered by future generations in his own country and the world far beyond it." March 5, 2003

"Perhaps, one of the most remarkable aspects of Cheddi Jagan's life was his consistent struggle for justice, never compromising his beliefs and always advocating equality, unity and struggle. Unlike many before him and after, he never sold out the people. His honesty and integrity made him unique in the realms of leadership. Even those who hated him the most, never doubted his honesty or his intentions... What we can learn from the life of Cheddi Jagan is never to give up, once you know that you are doing what is right. " Babu John, March 9, 2003

"I got through the difficult period of Dr. Jagan's death by sheer determination to do so. The most difficult part, of course, was at the hospital where his immediate family was present 24 hours a day and where each day there was the hope that he would get well. When that seemed not possible it was much harder for all of us, but we endured." Nov 2004

"From the very beginning of his public life, certain characteristics became clear and unchanging. He was first of all, an honest man, a man of genuine integrity, a man whose hands were clean throughout his whole life. I emphasise this quality because his unabashed honesty was the quality that let to trust, and trust is a very important aspect of life, particularly political life...He was trusted by all, even those who disliked his policies and his beliefs! In his whole lifetime there was never a shadow cast by any doubt of his integrity. " Babu John on March 2007

“For me, Valentine’s Day is the day that always reminds me of the loss of a great man, a loving husband, brother and father, father not only of his two children, but of the nation.” 2007 (Cheddi Jagan had a heart attack on February 14, 1997 and died on March 6, 1997)

"Cheddi, as those who knew him or heard him were aware, was a speaker who spoke at length on many issues, bringing out all the facts and statistics to prove his points. This was his style and he spent many hours doing research and gathering material for his speeches." 2007

Struggle

"We cannot venture to get up an organization in Cadillac style if we can only afford a Hillman." April 27, 1959

"Throughout the decade of success and failure, loyalty and betrayal, disunity and unity, the Party has held faith. During the most trying hours when the Party was close to the edge of ruin, the loyalty and firm belief of members, the Party's sound foundation in the masses of working people and farmers, have kept it alive and vigorous." April 1960

"The people's confidence is built on many things, long association, wholesome and honest dealings with people, the fact that the PPP and its leadership always move among and with the people and is never divorced from their daily life and work." July 1961

"We led the struggle by educating the people of the ills of colonialism and the need for unity to end the exploitation of this country by the dominant clique that wanted only power and profits - profits and power. We attained power by the valid ballot and proved our worth by winning in three successive elections - without benefit of a daily press or foreign finances. We did not attempt to grab power by bloodshed." April 1962

“With the strength of the sun above us, the strength of the earth beneath us, the strength of the ocean before us and the strength of the people behind us, our fight against injustice will be won.” April 5th,1964 at Enmore beach

“We cannot move forward and have a strong society, a strong economy where we can eliminate poverty and unemployment, unless all the people work together and all feel safe and secure in our society.” Jan 18, 1998 – interview by Martin Goolsarran

"I don't react personally. (When asked about attacks on her) It didn’t bother me. Even when I was stoned it didn’t bother me. I've been in jail, I've had a rough life. Its part of the struggle." 1998 (interview with Ira Mathur)

Women

"In the 40’s and 50’s we fought for and won the right to universal adult suffrage. Before it was introduced, following mass protests including thousands of women, very few women had the right to vote. The vote then had been based on property and income qualifications which only a very few privileged women could meet." Sept 1975 (Women in the Struggle)

"The women must join in the struggle to bring about political and socio-economic changes so that there will be equal opportunities for all, so that we can end unemployment, poverty and hunger, so that genuine democratic institutions can flourish, so that our women can be free and equal citizens in the countries in which they live." Sept 1975 (Women in the Struggle)

“Aside from developing women ideologically and keeping them informed and active on local political matters, engaging working women in the struggle for better working conditions and pay, leading the struggle against the high cost of living and for better housing, education and health services, the WPO has maintained through the years a keen interest in promoting sports and handicraft, among women.” 1985 (Thunder April-June 1985)

"For women to be leaders they have to be tough, caring, willing to listen, able to make decisions without procrastination and to keep the peace by consultation and understanding Major challenges facing the world are to keep the peace, avoid bloody confrontations, solve the poverty problem. In Guyana, we have internal problems that we are facing and need to achieve national unity and an end to poverty." Nov 1999

"My advice to women in politics is, lead a discipline life, but keep close to your family." Oct 2003

"It is my view that if a woman wants to succeed in whatever position she holds, she must be present when she is expected to be, at work, at meetings, in travel and expect no concessions, make no excuses for not being there when she is expected to. Men have fewer home responsibilities and thus work, attend meetings and are on the spot when needed. Its harder for women to keep up, but they fail when they don't. I had to work harder to keep my home well regulated and cared for." Nov 2004

Race/Religion

"The psychology of race prejudice is not an instinctive antipathy caused by physical differences, but has its basis in fear. The cause of this fear may be traced to economic, social and political reasons or the fear that the “inferior” race might threaten the power and dominance of the “superior” race ... It is my belief that one of the main causes of race prejudice can be found in fear; the fear of one race being displaced by another." 1942

"I'm not a Jewish white woman. That's superficial and (that is) what the racists used to divide this country... You must remember I came here when I was 23, I'm now 78. I have been living and working here for 55 years. I feel Guyanese." 1998 (interview with Ira Mathur)

"They (PNC) didn't think I didn't belong when I took part in the marches, picketed before parliament and the governor's residence for independence, when I was jailed for six months, when I campaigned with Dr. Jagan for universal suffrage, free elections and against Burnham's dictatorship." 1998 (interview with Ira Mathur)

“I know that as long as the PPP/Civic remains the Government we would never tolerate any infringement of the rights of the Amerindian people to their lands. They are the first people in this country and their rights have to be respected.” Feb 8, 1998 (Interview by Michelle Elphage)

“Religion has played a very minor role in my life. My parents and grandparents were not religious and I learned very little of the Jewish religion from them. I left for Guyana in 1943 and during my 50-odd years here, I have had almost no contact with Judaism or Jewish people, so there are no such influences in my life of any significance, except my hatred and defiance of religious and racial prejudices and discrimination.” Nov 1999