Dear Editor,
Mr. Dennis Wiggins’s letter captioned “The results of the 2006 elections show that tremendous voter dissatisfaction exists, the PPP/C is not invincible” (07.03.05) reinforces the disconnect in analyses vis a vis realities on the ground. While Mr. Wiggins, in his response, felt compelled to support his arguments by statistics, he failed again to connect with the realities on the ground. Were he to connect or engage the enquiring mind, he would have found that the very statistics he is reliant on, are questionable. For example, the credibility of the National Census; GECOM former Commissioner Mr. Haslyn Parris questioning the credibility of the Electoral Lists; GECOM’s revelation and allocation of votes and parliamentary seats; and the AFC and JFAP vigilance that exposed votes denial and parliamentary seats. Since Mr. Wiggins’s data are flawed, anything flowing therefrom, including his conclusion, cannot be right.
Mr. Wiggins should be advised that his calls to social change only through class alliances are discriminatory. His penchant/crusade for social change and economic development through class alliances and holding racial minority groups accountable for reaching out to the majority goes contrary to fundamental human rights. International Conventions and Guyana’s Constitution protect the rights of individuals to freedom of association, including any political party they feel can represent their interests. Further, these very conventions and constitution mandate that all be treated equally regardless of race, class, creed, sex, and other differences.
The struggles in Guyana are for equal rights and justice. Therefore any social change to effect economic development in Guyana has to be premised on upholding equal rights and justice. Social change therefore has to be as an integrative process, respecting differences and facilitating equal opportunities for development, regardless of our diversity. This is currently not happening in Guyana, and herein lies the problem. That Mr. Wiggins’s writings continue to demonstrate elements of violations makes him equally culpable, like the PPP, for the racist management of the State and its resources.
Race, as the manifest conflict, continues to influence the political landscape and the distribution of wealth, power and resources. But Mr. Wiggins is placing the burden and responsibility on the African community and the PNC to modify their strategy/behaviour. If we were to be honest with the racial dynamics in elections it will be seen that there is more fluidity in groups other than Indians. Messrs. Ravi Dev, Manzoor Nadir, Paul Tennessee, and Khemraj Ramjattan may be in a better position to explain why they failed to create voter shift from the PPP to their parties. But if Indians want to solely support the PPP, the choice is theirs by inalienable right- the right to freedom of association and representation. This right must also be extended to others and be likewise respected.
Correspondingly, this right to freedom of association and representation does not translate to a right to punish/violate the rights of others. But on the African economic front, persons like Mr. James Mc Allister will tell you of cases of African contractors being denied jobs. Mr. Lincoln Lewis has evidence in the public domain of the economic plight of African workers and pensioners in relation to the economic benefits of Indian workers and pensioners under this government.
These are the racial evidence on the ground Mr. Wiggins. Let us call a spade a spade.
This does not say that class may not play a role, but in Guyana, even in classes, there are racial alliances. Should we then wallow in self destruction or rights violations until class becomes racially neutral?
Human rights are inalienable rights. Because they are inalienable, they are not benefits privileges or concessions where violated persons should feel that they have to grovel, beg, stoop or change their associations to achieve. No government, or individual, under any guise, should ‘educate’ minorities to feel that their unequal and unjust status is the result of their ‘misguided’ action.
Plain and simple, persons have the right to freedom of association, representation, and equality, regardless of their diversity.
To then say to these persons that the enjoyment of these rights will not be possible unless they engage in a class alliance, is to be an active participant to the violation of these very rights.
Mr. Wiggins, Guyana cannot withstand more of this double standard. Enough is enough. The issues before us are equal rights and justice. It is time we join forces and demand that the government respects and enforces the rights of all. Let us hold the government, which is responsible for the day to day management of our business, and which continues to receive our taxes, accountable for the current transgressions. Let us demand that the rights of the violated be respected.
This is the social change the violated have a right to and agents/advocates should be mindful of.
Yours faithfully,
M. A. Bacchus
