THE co-leader of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), David Hinds, has again shown his fondness for divisive politics in a shocking display of racism.
The tirade he spewed at Afro-Guyanese for opting to support the incumbent government is not just deeply insulting but also shows the toxic mindset that characterizes some political forces in Guyana.

The use of racist slurs to describe his fellow Afro-Guyanese in terms of “lick bottoms” and “house slaves” is a sad reflection of the opposition’s habitual use of racism to derive political mileage. Such language is not just unacceptable, but is also contrary to ideals of togetherness and democracy that Guyana is seeking to uphold.

Minister Kwame McCoy’s condemnation of Hinds’ rant is opportune and is a move in the right direction. He is absolutely right to point out that every citizen of Guyana, be it he or she of whatever race, has a constitutional right to support whatever political organisation of his or her choice.
The opposition’s apparent belief that it is entitled to hold Afro-Guyanese in general to ransom over its failed policies and corrupt leadership is not just misguided, but is also insulting to the intelligence and dignity of Guyanese.

One should note that this is not a one-time incident. The WPA, guided by such personalities as Hinds, has always used its language to fuel ethnic hate.
Such behaviour is a departure from the ideals of Walter Rodney, founder of the party. The new leadership of the WPA has deviated a great distance from its founding principles, in favour of using divisive politics that pose a threat to social cohesion in Guyanese society.

On the contrary, the “One Guyana” vision of the PPP/C administration is a welcome relief after such a reactionary stance. It is a vision of one people, inclusion, and transformation – ideals that unlock our advancement in a period of unprecedented potential.

Guyana is at a transformative point, and it is of crucial importance that our entire citizenry, across our various ethno-racial groups, stand up to those forces that would place us in enmity with one another.
The politics of race divisiveness has no place in modern-day Guyana. All Guyanese need to move beyond such toxic rhetoric to a vision of a future that is founded in respect, comprehension, and collective advancement.