Dear Editor,
FOR whatever the salt in the ocean is worth, there are many Guyanese who will remain racist down to the core and they will not change for the better. Guyana’s political analyst, Freddy Kissoon, sums it up well when he said that, “There has been an evident attempt by sections of society to stir trouble in society using an ethnic criteria, simply because they perceive the government is not of their culture of ethnic liking.” The recent violent spate of lawless incidents at Mon Repos involving looting,
stealing, beating, plundering, molesting, burning, and vandalism, confirms that the act of prejudiced behaviour is very much alive and its flame will continue to be fanned by those perpetrators who are inclined to incite the continuous attacks on one community to gain cheap political mileage.

Guyana’s ethnic history is well documented and the monstrosities of all the atrocious mishaps dating back to the 60s, are well captured, catapulted and communicated to all and sundry, including the younger generation, on a perpetual basis. This unfortunate rambunctiousness is only too well practised and promulgated, and, it pertains to one constant race over another particular race, on an ongoing basis. It penetrates the core of society, other races are left flabbergasted and helpless to offer resistance and/or remedy, effectively. The shameless hooliganism of defaulters in no way circumvents the leader of the pack to reprehend the violators, nor in any way, own up to the guilt to help the law to reprimand the accusers.

Facebook followers are reminded by a Stanley Hamilton post, “What a visionary! Cheddi decoded the PNC’s DNA since 1961. A-G-C-T (Arson-Guns-Corruption-Terrorism) West On Trial.

We have seen how his foresight, with an in-depth understanding of the strategic players of his time were thinking and their plans for the future  to arm themselves and followers with the only tool to use in order to get the dirty job done. He wasn’t wrong and his words and writings afford the inconvenience of truth to be denied and to annoy all those on trial with forked tongues and fangs of raping claws. This chagrin hangs like an albatross around the necks of all the culprits, some wearing it with pride and dignity, proud of being branded bandits and a member of the dark force!

As a significant voice in the opposition purported, “Black youngsters go to a commercial bank for a loan and they are denied. An East Indian person, the same age, got the same thing like the young black man, go to the same commercial bank, but he getting the loan… that is the reality of the country. You go to predominantly East Indian villages in this country and you would see rapid development, nice roads, nice street lights… but you go predominantly the African villages… bad roads, poor drainage, no street lights, no recreational facilities for them…. That is the reality of the country.”

“For the five years, that the PNC/APNU+AFC was in government, Christopher Jones did nothing to empower Afro-Guyanese, whom he now falsely claims, are being discriminated against by banks, etc.,” the lawful voice of Guyana’s Attorney General, the Honourable Mr Anil Nandlall remarked. His Excellency, President Dr Irfaan Ali has warned about spreading hate and racism and those who refuse to abstain, but continue to undermine the peace, will be dealt with the full force of the law.

Guyanese Sir Ronald Sanders, currently Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States of America, wrote, “Respect for rights is obvious when a political party loses office in a general election. Power is handed over peacefully and orderly to the political party that wins the elections through the ballot box.” Guyana’s transition of power from Granger’s APNU+AFC party to Ali’s PPP/C party was in contradiction to Sir Sanders’ advocacy. The five months of prolonged wait squashed any respect for the law and the national, regional and international communities. As a result, the East Coast killing of a young East Indian in 2020 undermined an unrest. Inciters at the West Coast Berbice wake for the Henry boys, influenced the turmoil which resulted in East Indians being at the mercy of attackers. All Guyanese and non-Guyanese at home and abroad need to read, digest and reflect on a well-articulated and eloquent article (“If we don’t heed the call against racism, disaster awaits us all), written by a letter writer, Denise Murray, in the Stabroek News newspaper, dated 9th July,2022. The frame of mind was sober, conscientious and free of any biasness. Guyana needs to move forward and unite in support of the President’s “One Guyana” initiative. The visit of Sadh Guru must have been lost. Sri Ravi Shankar is here. Will he make a difference to the offenders of peace, love and tranquility?

Respectfully Yours,
Jai Lall