The politics of leopard-like Opposition

A leopard does not change its stripes. It may change its outward appearance, but it is still a leopard with hidden stripes. The perception is that these animals are self-centred and egotistical due to their natural leadership ability and tendency to draw attention to themselves.

In short, Leopards are dangerous, sleek, and brave. Unlike most animals that run away and hide when they are wounded, leopards become more aggressive.

Sadly, in Guyana’s history, many entities and individuals take on the distinct qualities and attributes of the leopard. They have not changed over the years. A modern-day example of this leopard-like behaviour is the People’s National Congress led-A Partnership for National Unity and Alliance For Change Coalition (PNC/APNU/AFC).

The PNC has disguised itself in the body politic APNU+AFC Coalition. A closer analysis pointed out that just like the PNC, the Coalition is sticking to its mantra of widespread discrimination and racism against Guyanese by the Peoples Progressive Party and the Government. It has used examples to verify this allegation as opposed to just stating the basic statistics and facts.

After all, the Coalition was in the seat of the Executive from 2015 to 2018 (December). It then squatted from December 22, 2018, to August 2, 2020. And they still could not prove that the policies of the PPP, implemented from 1992 to 2015, were deliberately racist and discriminatory against Afro-Guyanese and other ethnic minorities. It did not implement a single recommendation from the Mc Dougall Report on minorities. It lost the opportunity it had during those years to correct what was wrong in Guyana by making lasting changes to combat the race and discrimination problems facing the country.

So why then make all of these allegations in terms of discrimination and racism against one race? Why then go through the struggle to get a US Congressman to support the allegations? Why then call for the sacking of current US Ambassador to Guyana, Sarah Ann Lynch?

It is all part of leopard-like behaviour that is designed to speak to the minds of Afro-Guyanese, making them feel angry, frustrated, and inferior, then they hopefully will lash out. Everything the opposition said sounds as though they are intentionally inciting the Afro-Guyanese to engage in riotous behaviour, illegality and violence. They carefully played on words saying one thing but meaning another.

As expected, the political strategy is not working because the PPP and the Dr Irfaan Ali Administration understand the Opposition Coalition. They know the APNU+AFC politicians who went to the US are just seeking attention for themselves. Also, they know that the opposition’s claim that the government fired over 2,000 black public servants is untrue. And, finally, the misplaced claims of race hate, racism, and discrimination by the government are far from the truth about what is happening in Guyana.

The thing is, citizens know when the opposition APNU+AFC is making up stories and concocting tales of discrimination. The citizens saw it before from the PNC when it caused havoc in 1999 following the elections of 1997. Right-thinking Guyanese know how dangerous and boldly cunning the opposition can be when they do not get their way.

The government should never be seen negotiating with political mischief and should not invite a misguided US Congressman to the table for clarity on things he should know. Guyana’s Ambassador to the US, Sam Hinds, should meet with concerned parties in Washington to clear up the mess started by the opposition politicians, in the US.

Secondly, a few overseas-based Guyanese should be ashamed. These citizens will never get back the time they wasted because they should know that Guyanese could speak for themselves. After all, several Afro-Guyanese organisations could make representation if they feel that racism is involved in any decision against them.

Thirdly, the opposition politicians who were part of the rally are doing a disservice to the supporters and the APNU+AFC Coalition. Flying into the US to play politics does not do anything for the support base in Guyana. It does not make their lives easier by putting higher amounts of money in their pockets or bread on their tables. They should be concerned with the leadership duel at the levels of PNC and AFC parties. They should be up in arms that both parties have delayed their congress and conference. It’s almost laughable that politicians will go to the US to convince others what should take place in Guyana and cannot even convince their people on the ground, at home. A leopard may not change its spots but citizens can change their political choices!

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