THE recent incendiary comments from Working People’s Alliance (WPA) Leader David Hinds targeting Afro-Guyanese have outraged and alarmed many, but the deafening silence from sections of the media is also equally disturbing.

President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali has been absolutely right to call out this glaring silence in a disturbing trend of selective reporting endangering Guyana’s multiethnic society.
Hinds’ revolting characterisation of Afro-Guyanese exercising their democratic right to vote for political parties of their choice as “lick-bottom house slaves”, and “sellouts” is not only extremely offensive, but also a betrayal of ideals previously held by the WPA under Walter Rodney’s leadership.

Such vitriolic rhetoric has no place in a modern, democratic Guyana, and ought to be roundly condemned by all.
This failure of sections of the media to appropriately react to such comments is a sharp reminder of the double standards inherent in much of our public discourse.

As President Ali pointed out, such outrage on selective basis seems to be part of an overall agenda to try to destabilise the ruling government, rather than strive for real national unity and progress. This practice is not just a discredit to the journalistic profession but to the citizens of Guyana who rely on balanced and honest reporting in making informed decisions.

It’s particularly tragic to see this type of strategy being employed by individuals who claim to inherit the mantle of Walter Rodney, a genuine nationalist who fought on behalf of all Guyanese, regardless of what their ethnic backgrounds were.

The contrast between Rodney’s vision of unity and the current WPA leadership’s ideology of division could not be more revealing.
Minister Kwame McCoy’s condemnation of Hinds’ attack is also used here to underscore the toxic nature of this discourse.

It confirms the opposition’s ill-conceived approach to politics and race in Guyana, an ideology in fundamental conflict with the values of inclusivity and national cohesion.
The Association of the People of African Descent (APAD) has also rightly been denouncing Hinds’ statements, upholding the very basic right of all Guyanese to belong to political parties of their choosing without fear of denigration. It is a reflection of the spirit of democracy and respect for diversity that should pervade Guyana’s political climate.

As Guyana develops, we must ensure that we do not adopt such polarising strategies, and focus on the real developments that benefit all Guyanese. The history of the government speaks for itself, and we observe that the populace recognises and accepts these developments.

In short, the media’s inability to cover this issue is not just a journalistic failure; it is a missed opportunity to build a more respectful and inclusive political discourse. Going forward, it is important that the whole society, including the media, come together against the type of rhetoric that separates people rather than bringing them together. Only by coming together in this way are we likely to build the really united Guyana that we all want to create.