Dear Editor,
In a previous letter I cautioned against ethnic finger pointing as it relates to the Lusignan massacre since the actions of a few should not be used to taint an entire group. By the same token one cannot help but agree with Ravi Dev that invariably, in situations like these, it is always the poor and working class Indians who are the victims and Guyanese of African background who are, by and large, the perpetrators.
So whether we like it or not race has indeed factored into this horror. And it does indeed beg the question: why were poor Indians from Lusignan targeted when they are as far removed from the disappearance of Fine Man’s supposed girlfriend as can be?
Additionally one cannot help but notice how the responses of certain Afro Guyanese leaders fail to take cognisance of certain realities. Furthermore one cannot also help but notice that other African leaders have been significant by their silence. These are all individuals who are loud in their shouts about African marginalization and ethnic security dilemmas and alleged racism suffered by Afro Guyanese. Indeed the more certain individuals talk about perceived sufferings of Afro Guyanese the more the reality of Indo-Guyanese continues to be that of murder, robbery and other forms of victimization. Talk about hypocrisy, double talk and sanctimoniousness.
Meanwhile we’re still waiting for a public guarantee from those who have done so in the past, that they would no longer continue to offer succour and support to those who rob and murder at will.
Finally, unless the government and security forces take urgent actions that lead to quick viable results, followed by long term measures to ensure the safety and security of the citizenry, I am one of those who would urge citizens who continue to be at the mercy of bandits to take their security into their own hands.
Yours faithfully,
Annan Boodram