Dear Editor,
I THINK we have all been made familiar with what has been going on for the past few days. Our country bleeds. Racial tensions are soaring. What happened?

First and foremost, we were shocked by the horrific slayings of the Henry’s. Next, I was at a tremendous loss for words when I heard about the killing of Haresh Singh. What prompted this? Who asked for this? Who said that because Black children were murdered it was an automatic permit to kill an Indian child?  Is this someone’s twisted idea of retribution or equilibrium? It’s clear we have savage beasts among us. For only savage beasts could commit such sordid crimes.
It is pretty obvious that in this country we have a serious race problem. This racial divide has been with us for decades. The killings of the Henry’s—and now of Singh will simply deepen that divide and exacerbate race relations between Indo and Afro Guyanese. But let me ask a question. We have this serious racial problem that persists. So why on Earth are our children paying for it? Why do these BABIES have to suffer for this racial cancer? And how many more children will we see die due to this age-old curse on this nation?

Further, we Guyanese hypocritically sing the national song “Youths are Important to Guyana”. The same youths that we are killing out? The same youths having to suffer despicable deaths for a problem that has been in this country for decades with no major effort to combat it? This course, this racism is a vile cancer that is perforating the social fabric of this nation. We have only allowed it to grow with each passing day, and it needs to end! We need to acknowledge that this problem exists and tackle it now, now, now!

There are hooligans who will spread their racial narratives, by social media or other means of public incitement. We have to remain vigilant to point out these cretins and cast them out or shun them! For they are a threat to this country. For they are a threat to love and reconciliation. For they are a threat to the very notion of national development! Enough is enough!
Moreover, I remember vividly when I was on the platform at the presidential inauguration. I chose a poem to perform so as to preach for love and unity.  An excerpt of that poem which stood out to me was “We must not fall apart. We cannot let chaos make its way to our hearts. We cannot let ignorance spread itself—we are too smart.” What we are witnessing right now is a direct contradiction to what I preached for! And it hurts me dearly.

The violence that took place last week must not reoccur! It was simply unnecessary and disgusting. A recurrence will only produce more Haresh’s, and more Henry’s. The “keyboard warriors” in the safety of the homes inciting mayhem on social media need to recognise this! Violence gives birth to more violence and this must end!
We need to stand tall, with our firm feet planted in the ground. We must grip each other’s hands tightly…for this is the way! We must not let this demon of disunity win! For we are smarter together, stronger together. For then, and only then will we be able to make great strides unhindered.

Yours faithfully,
Nikhil Sankar