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Twisting history is a PNC-APNU tradition
Dear Editor,
I write in response to a highly inflammatory letter with scurrilous accusations against me by Lelon Saul (Media 8-11-2025). As a researcher on fascism Mr. Saul may know the book – Hitler’s Black Victims (Routledge, 2003) by Professor Clarence Lusane, Professor Emeritus at American University and former Chair of the Department of Political Science at Howard University. In the acknowledgements to that highly regarded work, Professor Lusane wrote – “A very special thanks to Dr. Randolph Persaud. Though he may not know it, Randy continues to be as much a mentor as a dear friend. I am the better for each discussion and encounter that we share. I look forward to many years of shared discoveries, brilliant insights, profound understandings, and chilling time.” I need not say anymore on who is and who is not, a fascist. Note that Professor Lusane is the author of a dozen books, including the Black History of the White House.
Mr. Saul is a highly motivated individual but a bit more discipline in his writing will suit him better. His comments on the poverty rate deserves attention. Time and again, it has been pointed out that the 48% poverty rate often cited is from 2019. This means that the alarming level of poverty is more applicable to the APNU-AFC period.
Unacceptable poverty does exist in Guyana and let me state categorically that neither the PPP, nor me, denies that fact. But much has happened since. Public Sector wages/salaries have gone up by 46% and will keep going up. Financial assistance to students, which the APNU had taken away, was not only restored by moved from $10,000 to $55,000 per child. Each adult received $100,000 in a cash grant. The PNC-led APNU and AFC have consistently derided that grant as a “handout.” Numerous other benefits such as the elimination of 200 APNU-AFC taxes have also helped to improve the lives of the Guyanese people. 39,000 persons have received GOAL scholarship, and unemployment is now at the lowest in our history.
On the historical issues from the 1960s, I think Mr. Saul is advised that those years will not bear any fruits for his arguments. On the 2020 elections, I asked Mr. Saul to help Mingo and others to present the SOPs.
On the issue of extra-judicial killings, I refer Mr. Saul to the exhaustive analysis done by Stabroek News – (https://www.stabroeknews.com/2019/11/18/news/guyana/prison-break-carnage-february-2002-september-2006/).
I look forward to the day when public debates can occur without incendiary person attacks. A good place to begin is for us to stop the rampant ‘historical presentism’, something otherwise known as twisting history for current political benefits.
Sincerely,
Dr. Randy Persaud
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