Dear Editor

IT has been quite some time now that I have deliberately sought to stay out of the venomous political limelight of Guyana for the mere fact that it seems to create more enemies than friends.However, I feel a deep sense of patriotic responsibility to squarely denounce any acts — deliberate or otherwise — or vestiges of racism against any sector of our multi-ethnic society.

The recent utterances by certain elements on the opposition benches — whom will know themselves well — during a recent visit to the U.S. must be squarely denounced, because it is absolutely imperative that as right-thinking human beings, and as sons and daughters of this soil, we should seek to find consensus and common ground.

It matters not what is one’s race, colour, creed, class, or sexual orientation; what truly matters is the precious value of life, and the sacred thread that binds us all together as human beings. It is therefore incumbent upon all Guyanese, irrespective of their kith or kin, to see the deep value of President Granger’s call for peace, togetherness, mutual love and respect, as well as tolerance as we seek to develop Guyana for all, and truly achieve the sacred promise of a better tomorrow for all.

A house divided against itself will fall. It is important that all Guyanese truly understand and appreciate that Guyana is poised for bigger and better things, but we need to have all hands on deck and we need to stop this incessant infighting, because our enemies on both sides of the border will seek to exploit it.

If we are to truly realise our full socio-economic potential, then we must create an atmosphere in which any respectable global investor would find confidence in wanting to invest in Guyana. If we do not seek the much-desired change by adopting the historic examples of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr and Mandela, then we are only going to dig a deep pit for ourselves, and have no one else to blame.

Look no further than Bosnia, Rwanda, Burundi and Afghanistan as living examples of what we can degenerate to. No one is going to want to invest billions in any country where there is no socio-economic and political stability or, better yet, social cohesion; so it is time to let go of this mental bondage of ‘apan jhaat politics’ and strive for a higher ground, in full support of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’.

Yours sincerely,
MIKE SINGH