A PARTNERSHIP for National Unity (APNU) Parliamentary Leader Terrence Campbell has come under criticism after calling People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Member of Parliament James Bond a “house slave” during a protest at ‘Melanie’, East Coast Demerara.
Campbell was among APNU protesters confronting Bond as he engaged residents in the community. The racially charged remark has since sparked criticism over the use of such language against an Afro-Guyanese because of his political choice.
One citizen, Delon Moffett, writing on Facebook, condemned the remark, saying: “I don’t respect anyone claiming to represent the interest of black people, then when any black person demonstrates their free will politically and it is against the PNC, you scream in their face and call them a house slave.”
Moffett further argued that Guyanese should be free to exercise their political choices without racial intimidation, adding that no group has a “birth right to black support based solely on race and tribalism”.
Another, Asif Williams, also criticised the incident, accusing the Opposition of attempting to keep Guyana divided along racial lines, and questioning why Bond should be attacked for engaging residents in an APNU support base.
Bond, a former member of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), stood his ground during the confrontation.
The incident is not the first time such rhetoric has emerged from figures associated with APNU.
Working People’s Alliance (WPA) leader and APNU Member of Parliament Dr. David Hinds previously faced widespread criticism after referring to some Afro-Guyanese who support the PPP/C as “lick bottoms”, “house slaves”, “slave catchers” and “sell outs”.
Hinds had also criticised Afro-Guyanese who openly endorsed President Dr. Irfaan Ali’s leadership, and questioned their support for the PPP/C.
The latest incident has, therefore, renewed concerns over the use of racially-charged rhetoric against Afro-Guyanese who exercise their right to support the PPP/C.