Phillip Moore’s status – not dependent upon a state funeral

Dear Editor,

I have the highest regard for the late Phillip Moore. I also wish that the government had been more caring in terms of assisting this icon, during his days of declining health. Now that he is no more, my personal desire is that something substantial be done – wake, funeral, celebration of his works etc. However, I have a word of caution.

First, there should be no politicising of Phillip Moore, in any form or fashion. When his health was fading, and maybe his resources falling short, where was that necessary intercessory voice? His seemingly not-so-prosperous end is not anyone’s fault. Joe Louis died in poverty, and surely no one can blame friends, family, nor the United States government.

Here, Terrence Alli is languishing in oblivion, and this is not the fault of any one. How about the fall of Mike Tyson and now Dennis Rodman: Who do people blame? As regards Phillip Moore, he never lived as a rake and spendthrift, and like all creative artistes, joys and rewards are not measured via opulence. The Phillip Moores of the world transcend affluence and personal gains. Sometimes, I wish this could change. So I support the idea that these kinds of people must be looked after, in some way, both in life and death. They bring glory and fame, but not fortune.

Now representatives from the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA) have confirmed that they have approached the government of Guyana, to petition for a state funeral for Phillip Moore. This kind of move is not constitutional (according to my knowledge).

Only a select group can really be given a state funeral. So if the great Phillip Moore is not in this category, then so be it. The realisation of a state funeral will not enhance the late Moore, nor the lack of one diminish him. However, the occasion of this man’s passing should be properly marked.

Along the line of celebrating this ‘son of the soil’, I suggest that a preservation move be put into place – books, house, paraphernalia etc. Guyana has a library, a museum and a national archive.

So the mechanisms are already in place. By the way are there relics of many icons gone by – Edgar Mittleholzer, Martin Carter, LFS Burnham, Cheddi Jagan etc? History is more than mere words.

On a closing note, I remind readers that Moore was the recipient of the Cacique Crown of Honour (CCH), a resident tutor at the Burrowes School of Art, and he also served as a professor at Princeton University, USA. He produced hundreds of works that were displayed locally, regionally, and internationally.

However, his signature work remains the impressive 1763 Monument, which is mounted at the Square of the Revolution.

This monument was unveiled on May 23, 1976 to mark Guyana’s 10th independence anniversary. Dear Editor, I want readers to think on greatness – is the sporting hero more deserved of tributes than the creative artistes do?

Yours sincerely,

Raymond Trotz