Long-standing activist from Guyana dies in New York
Dear Editor,
It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of a former UG lecturer Kenneth Persaud who was a prominent WPA activist and colleague of Dr Walter Rodney passed away. He was an inspirational teacher and mentor to many. He was popularly known as KP by everyone. He was loved by his former students and those who engaged him during his decades as an educator and political activist. KP was not doing well in his health over the last several months. But his health took a turn for the worse over the last three months. He died at his Jamaica, New York home on Thursday evening. He was a very engaging figure.
KP is held in high regards by the Guyanese diaspora and Guyanese at home as well. He was a respected newspaper columnist and frequently delivered lectures in Canada, New York and Florida. People looked forward for his views on changing Guyanese politics. He welcomed political change in Guyana but was soon disappointed by the political direction of the coalition and the return of politics and economics of victimization and discrimination.
Kenneth Persaud was educated at York College in Toronto, Canada. He returned home and taught political science at the University of Guyana. He founded the Kitty Progressive College and became its principal. The progressive College catered mostly for the poorer students of society.
His major interests revolve around the effects of Imperialism, Globalization and the emerging new World Order. He has always been active in political/social movements of “developing societies”, especially Guyana, and was committed to reform and change towards what he called a meaningful democracy. He was an esteemed writer who was not afraid to present his views in public. He felt that through the power of education, people could understand their problems and build a better society He was fiercely dedicated to his cause and ideology.
In NY, KP saw the need for a community publication after earlier ones failed. He became one of the founders of the weekly Caribbean Daylight and Prime News and its editor for several years. He also founded several other weeklies in New York. And he wrote serious political columns for several newspapers and the respected Guyana Journal. He was also a sports enthusiast and contributed to the sports (cricket) pages of several newspapers. His favorite cricketers were Ganguly, Latchman, Tendulkar and Dravid of India, Lara and Chanderpaul of West Indies, among others.
In NY, he became the original secretary of the Arya Spiritual Center which was formed in 1984 by Pandit Ramlall after the latter left Arya Samaj USA that was formed in 1981. He also worked closely with several community activists to build organizations. He participated in the NY struggle for the restoration of democracy in Guyana and participated in several protest activities.
In NY, his students acknowledge the crucial role he played in making sure every student receives a quality education. KP never wavered in his commitment to building a just, equitable, harmonious, multi-racial society.
KP will be fondly remembered. He left a legacy of extraordinary brilliance. His students will always be in awe of his teaching and passionate spirit. In NY, the community is grateful for his contributions to various spheres of life and the development of their former homeland. The wake and funeral will be held at the Bergen Funeral home on Rockaway Boulevard, South Ozone Park, New York, probably on Saturday and Sunday.
Vishnu Bisram