–PNC faces backlash over ‘Burna Boy’ comment
–Guyanese wade into Party activist for stoking racism
THE People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) has found itself embroiled in another race-bating controversy following a social media post by one of its activists, Norman Browne, which ignited more accusations of racism and division.

The uproar stemmed from a Facebook post made by Browne involving Nigerian Afro-fusion sensation Burna Boy, who graced the stage as the headliner for the “Unforgettable” concert at the Guyana National Stadium.

Burna Boy, sporting a jacket adorned with the colours of the Nigerian flag, captivated audiences with his electrifying performance.
Hours after the performance, Browne took to Facebook and claimed that Burna Boy was asked to wear the colours of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) but refused; this triggered a firestorm of criticisms.

Browne’s unfounded claims insinuated a connection between Burna Boy’s attire and political allegiance, attributing it to supposed knowledge from “his people who happened to be Africans.”
“They asked ‘Burna Boy’ to wear red and black, but he was already briefed by his people who happened to be Africans.

They told him about the terrible treatment of African Guyanese at the hand of the wicked regime. Burna went to his room and came out wearing that top. There is power in those colours,” Browne said in his Facebook post.
The fallout was swift and severe, with commentators railing into Browne, condemning his remarks as divisive and prejudiced tactics to not only undermine social cohesion but also erode trust and credibility within Guyana’s political landscape.

One commenter urged for unity, stating: “Y’all need to bring Guyana together as one, not separate our beautiful country.”
Another criticised Browne, declaring, “This country is going to always be divided by people like you.”
Others expressed disbelief and frustration, with one commenter highlighting the improbable nature of Browne’s claims and vowing to withhold their vote from the party.

Also, the post was later proven to be baseless, and concerns grow over the PNCR’s continued promotion of division and racism in Guyana.
This incident comes on the heels of mounting criticisms against the party for several things including calls for boycotts against Guyanese-owned businesses in New York, following President, Dr. Irfaan Ali’s recent visit.

The calls for boycotts originated from Rickford Burke of the Caribbean-Guyana Institute for Democracy (C-GID) and activist Mark Benschop, both of whom are known critics of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C).
Commenting on the issues on Tuesday, during his show, “Issues in the News,” Attorney- General and Minister of Legal Affairs, Anil Nandlall, S.C., said that discriminatory remarks aimed at both President Ali and the citizens of Brooklyn reflect a deep-seated prejudice that has no place in modern society.

He urged individuals not to be swayed by the divisive rhetoric of those seeking to perpetuate racial animosity.
“These guys are the worst racist ever…The racism that is spewing through their pores. But that is the vicious racism that they spew every day. Go to Facebook and you will see the attacks are relentless.

So, they are attacking and that’s what they’ve been doing historically. They are seeing that Guyanese of all races are more and more enlightened,” Nandlall said.
He warned that Burke and others aligned with the “hate campaign” thrive on peddling racism and toying with the moral fabric of Guyana.

“Ignore them. They have no place in modern society, either in Guyana or any part of the world, because modern civilisation and modern societies eschew racism, division, and segregation. They are from an era that no longer exists. And that is why the numbers are diminishing. The numbers are diminishing. Don’t give them relevance,” Nandlall said.

Numerous individuals, including those aligned with opposition parties, have voiced similar concerns and condemned Burke’s call for a boycott, signalling the need to stand against discrimination and uphold democratic principles.

Over the years, APNU has been facing numerous backlashes, with one being over comments made by an executive member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), David Hinds, who disparaged a number of PNC/R Indo-Guyanese members for speaking out against racist and incendiary remarks made by the WPA.

Hinds had said that the PNC/R Indo-Guyanese members were only there to attract Indo-Guyanese voters.
He referred to Indo-Guyanese PNC/R member Geeta Chandan-Edmond as a “slave catcher” for having condemned remarks made by WPA member Tacuma Ogunseye, who made racially charged remarks against East Indians at a public meeting at Buxton, East Coast Demerara.

Hinds had also directed comments at PNC/R Parliamentarians Ganesh Mahipaul and Natasha Singh-Lewis; Regional Chairman Daniel Seeram, and Former Mayor Ubraj Narine, who had issued a joint statement condemning the remarks of another WPA member, Rhonda Layne.