Latest update December 25th, 2024 1:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Desperate prophets of impending doom

Apr 22, 2015 Editorial

As news organisations and the intended voting public continue to follow the political parties’ campaigns and meetings around the country, the spotlight has energized some of the leaders in a positive manner but in a few worrying cases, has emboldened those with sinister agendas to terrify their supporters.
In a time when we yearn for genuine national unity and enhanced democracy, we now have egocentric politicians pushing buttons that many of us hoped would never again see the light of day.
Though over the years, during election build-ups, we have been inundated with many variants of the expression ‘those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it’; on this occasion the man-in-the-street is being warned of an apocalyptic future with a voting misstep. This is being done with an air of desperation; a curious urgency, injecting fear into a process that should be devoid of tension.
It is a fact that electoral measures will not easily conquer the inter-ethnic differences that exist in our country and elections are by no means aimed at bridging any deep-rooted cultural divisions, but there is the belief that we can manage our differences in an enlightened, democratic manner. We should not be subjected to this constant diet of fear-mongering.
Ethnic polarization has unfortunately benefitted the winners of the majority of our elections. There appears to be no way to end this desperate means to acquire and/or hold on to power.
The protagonists do not care to shy away from conflict, it suits them. The tones of recent speeches are surprising even the most liberal among us. The objectionable invective is shocking. There seems to be no one who can diminish or put an end to this lunacy.
Potential voters are being exposed to what could only be deemed ancient history in efforts to convince them of what route their lives would take. The messages are not only distasteful, they are ominous.
The media are invited to cover these major rallies and do so dutifully, but there is the conundrum of what should be conveyed to an already uneasy populace. There are no holds barred attitudes at these gatherings; the speakers are taking their hatred to unimaginable levels. Anything is being said. And everyone is listening – some more intently than others.
In most cases these utterances have been coming from individuals who have been accused of being non-transparent and untrustworthy. What we are witnessing are crude attempts to rebuild tarnished images and innocent citizens being swept up in the frenzy.
There needs to be a concerted effort to deactivate this morbidity. It is leading the susceptible along a shaky path. We need development, not division. We need nationalistic encouragement, not fanaticism. We need honesty, not fairy tales. We need responsible actions at this critical juncture, not unconscionable vitriol.
Where do these desperate prophets of impending doom intend to take this country that has already stumbled through nearly half-century of inadequate progress? Most of these individuals have multiple alternatives in the event that things do not turn out the way they expect it to.
It is a selfishness that has been evident in so many ways. The people are being seen as unintelligent and naïve, and disgustingly are being played against each other.
One really cannot see there being the elimination of the repulsive language through media monitoring, with periodic publication of results. It will take much more than that.
We must be cognizant of the fact that the individuals who take to these platforms in many cases are revered by those before whom they stand. Whatever is uttered is all that will be remembered. Those who spew all this divisive rhetoric are not in any way concerned about the well-being of this beautiful nation. The pot must continue to bubble for them, whatever ingredients it takes.

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | December, 2nd, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

The wait is over, all roads lead to KMTC for their Grand Boxing Day Horse race meet

The wait is over, all roads lead to KMTC for their Grand Boxing Day...

Dec 25, 2024

Over 70 entries in as $7M in prizes at stake  By Samuel Whyte Kaieteur Sports- The time has come and the wait is over and its gallop time as the biggest event for the year-end season is set for the...
Read More
Xhiya Hercules – flipping the script towards Gymnastics history for Guyana

Xhiya Hercules – flipping the script towards...

Dec 25, 2024

Road Warriors, Bent Street, Team Cruel & Gold Is Money into quarter-finals

Road Warriors, Bent Street, Team Cruel &...

Dec 25, 2024

Deol maiden hundred outshines Matthews’ as India take series

Deol maiden hundred outshines Matthews’ as...

Dec 25, 2024

Moraikobai village two days football competition and fun day set for Old and New Year’s Day

Moraikobai village two days football competition...

Dec 25, 2024

BCB thanks cricket fraternity for strong support in 2024

BCB thanks cricket fraternity for strong support...

Dec 25, 2024

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]