Guyanese must reject Brooklyn race baiting and race hatred

Aug 22, 2021 Letters

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Dear Editor,

Guyanese must reject the race baiting and race hatred emanating out of Brooklyn by an element of the diaspora. The race baiting and hatred does not serve the interests of the nation. Worse, it furthers racial division at home and in the American-based diaspora. In addition, I note that a litany of falsehoods has been peddled from Brooklyn. And some appalling remarks were made; these must be condemned in the strongest words.
One person referred to Hon. Prime Minister, Mark Phillips, as “a lightweight buffoon and a despicable, token, house slave.” Such language must be condemned. Phillips is a man of integrity and decency and a champion of equal rights of all Guyanese regardless of ethnicity. That person also made outlandish comments not supported by facts. His detractors say he has been waging a battle against a non-existent threat or issue. Some of his Guyanese critics claim he has been waging a battle to support his own economic survival. And some Guyanese say he has been instigating violence and spewing race hatred between Indians and Africans.
Some also say that the person has been able to influence a US Congressman to make statements not supported by facts. Regrettably, the Congressman identified with individuals who supported election rigging in Guyana and who attacked US Ambassador, Sarah-Ann Lynch, for taking a position to protect democracy. The Congressman and others have advocated for the recall of Ambassador Lynch, an iron lady who has stood for democracy in Guyana.
The person claims that the PPP government discriminates against Africans. This is not supported by data. The PPP government has been the most inclusive on race, gender, and geography throughout the history of the nation. As an illustration, of some 6,000 scholarships over the last year, 39 percent were awarded to Afro-Guyanese, 40 percent to Indians, and 21 percent to Mixed and Amerindians, albeit the latter two groups are under-represented when measured against their composition in the population. Mixed are 20 percent and Amerindians 10 percent of the population while Africans are 29 percent and Indians 40 percent. State appointees on boards are composed of one-third Africans, including as CEOs and Chairs. Africans continue to dominate all layers of government — public service (85 percent), the army (90 percent), the police (80 percent), nursing (75 percent), teaching (60 percent), and the top echelons (Permanent Secretary) of the public service (50 percent), although their group constitutes only 29 percent of the population. Board appointees include those of Amerindian, Chinese, and Portuguese extraction. In the government, there is an African PM and seven Ministers of African ancestry, one of Amerindian and one of Portuguese background and two of Mixed ancestry. What could be fairer than this?
In terms of governance, groups of independent Guyanese, representing the legal profession, the private sector, political parties, the press, and civil society have been loud in their praise of the performance of the government for the remarkable job they have done on the first-year anniversary, despite major COVID-19 constraints and the devastating floods. Also, opinion polls I conducted in August and November 2020, January, March, July and August 2021 found I approved of the performance of the government, including a majority of Africans and Mixed. The government has touched the life of every Guyanese of all strata and ethnicity through various programmes.
The lies being peddled by Brooklyn operatives must end. It will not lead to achievement of political goals. Respecting democratic principles would lead to more productive results. I support peaceful protests and exposure of bad governance. And I condemn racial discrimination. People must be employed based on their skills and talent and not on race. Guyana depends on the contributions of members of all ethnicities.
Africans and members of other groups are not facing discrimination under the President Ali administration. If there is discrimination, it must be exposed and corrected. Unsubstantiated claims must not be made. No one should promote or support efforts at creating race hatred and conflict that would further deepen the divide among ethnic groups. Using divisive tactics like stirring race hatred and making reckless claims of race discrimination will not help anyone or any political party. We need to build Guyana and not to destroy it. We must neutralise race tension and set the country on the right growth trajectory. People should fight for real causes and not combat non-existent issues.

Yours truly,
Dr. Vishnu Bisram

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