Dear Editor
SO, the Ethnic Relations Commission(ERC) has now decided to begin a programme of “…an education initiative to change mindsets and tackle the long-standing issue of division among Guyanese… remains convinced that education is the key to help change mindsets for the removal of stereotypes…. will continue to prioritise educational programmes in 2020,” Guyana Chronicle, January 10, 2020 “ERC zeroes in on social media.”

I am somewhat confused here, since in the succeeding paragraphs, there is a statement about several symposiums that have been held in all 10 administrative regions…. for the year 2019.” Immediately, I must ask how well publicised were these public interactions, since I do not ever recall reading/hearing much about such critical endeavours on the part of the ERC that had seemingly taken on a reactive approach in matters of race and activity in Guyana. Unfortunately, the opinion was not published.

What had been perceived would be the role of an ERC being re-constituted, with regard to how it would engage the challenge of race/ethnicity in Guyana. Could there be a fear to discuss the issue of race/ethnicity in Guyana? Particularly the role of the ERC in challenging its ugly presence, particularly when propagated by certain sections of Guyana, and politically driven by certain political quarters for dangerous, divisive ends.

Editor, the fact of a heightened, deeply polarised society, exacerbated by self-serving political quarters for anti-national purposes, is a fact which cannot be denied. In fact, if one is prepared to sweep it under the proverbial carpet or make light of its presence and concomitant effect on our society, then we are saying that the events of the 23 years of a particular type of governance did not exist, or we have recently awakened from a Rip Van Winkle sojourn.

One recalls the highly contradictive behaviour of the defunct ERC of that period, which administrative body had been holding reported public engagements throughout Guyana. But what was the reality of such endeavours, if they were really genuinely done by the last administration? The latter was carrying out an institutionalised policy of racism against a section of our nation. This is a fact which cannot be disputed.

Moreover, there is no mistaking the fact that racism became the epicentre of certain politicians and their vested interests, with the ante raised to alarming decibels since 2015, as they sought to undermine the government while attempting to incite social tensions throughout the society. It therefore goes without any debate that any organisation such as the ERC being resuscitated at that particular time, should know that it has a challenge on its hands, and it has to be pointed in confronting the challenges of a dangerous beast that threatened the peace of the society.

Therefore, it could not have been found wrong, or out of its mandate, to call in those particular political quarters and its leaders responsible for fuelling the hatred of race, and divisiveness in our country. For such is within its constitutional functions. Was this ever done?
Nor could it have been incorrect in demanding that these leaders responsible for what took on a racial insurgency, admonish their constituents to halt their use of social media for the daily dissemination of the poison of race and division, allied with attacks on a particular segment of society. Or publicly condemn such dangerous attempts at race incitement. I am very certain that the ERC’s Media Monitoring Unit has been aware of such incendiaries, inclusive of one that spoke about the Sophia night school attempting to get its students into the University of Guyana through “the back door.’’ Where were the condemnation of such an unfair comment, which was clearly being carried against a background of race? One can even refer to the unbelievable comments,on the announcement of air links agreement between Guyana and some African states. I felt very offended on those unjustified and dark portents of race which were the enduring background of such attacks. Surely, the ERC could not have missed such horrible statements and others of similar tenor, which have come to epitomise the political page of social media in Guyana. In plain language – it ought to have ever since been confronting this incendiary that continues to threaten the peace.

Editor, it would be unrealistic for me or anyone to expect overnight success from the ERC in engaging the dangerous enemy of race and ethnicity in Guyana. Neither is its task going to be made easier when there are certain politicians who continue to use this dangerous social scourge for selfish ends. However, the ERC must understand that race is indeed a national issue – constituting the greatest threat to the dreams and aspirations of a better Guyana, especially one that is now on the cusp of truly great things. It must understand, quite clearly, that its task is to not only educate the nation as to the dangers posed by this monster, a public offensive that it should have proactively been doing from its inception, and investigate cases alleging discrimination brought to its attention, but to also reprimand those responsible for posing threats via such dangerously reckless behaviour, irrespective as to who these anti-nationals are. And since there is provision in the powers of this body to prosecute persons, then let it be. Since there are segments who have perceived the organisation as a collective of mere talkers.

Of course, every Guyanese must support an initiative of national education, in which all will be involved in grappling with the race threat to this society, as it occasions great opportunities for serious discussions and enlightenment about a social incendiary which can only bring great harm to this nation, especially having a future general bequeathing a burden, which their antecedents would have failed to solve, or the least limit. And this should be in the form of bringing communities together in joint discussions about each other, and the need for mutual respect and a better understanding, which does not have to be influenced by fear.

My further question is why has the commission waited so late before it now speaks of offering public education on racism and its dangers; and paying close attention to social media? Just look at the immense damage that the latter dark corridors would have done to this country, inclusive of the latter five years. How can the ERC not accept that it needs to let its mandate be respected?

Regards
Carla Mendonca