Dear Editor,

The tenor and information in Jamal Ali’s letter ‘The PPP government is sincere in working with the African Guyanese sector of society’ (SN, June 5) reflects an escalating problem which enables lopsided development and as such it has to be frontally addressed. While Mr Ali is entitled to his opinions such must not infringe on the human rights and development of others. Mr Ali cannot tell Africans what is good for them and who is sincere about their interests without first understanding their pains and desires. This government which he lauds and thinks is sincere in working with Africans was in office when hundreds of young African men were killed and refuses to activate the Coroner’s Act that would see investigations into these killings and is also resisting the calls of the international community to establish a commission of inquiry.

It is an established fact the PPP undermines the development of communities it has not won and bypasses the elected leaders. This is done through the denial of state funding or refusal to pay the government rates and taxes that would finance programmes in those communities. The municipalities of Georgetown, Linden and New Amsterdam can recount their horror stories. For the regions the constitution says they will develop their economic programmes and the central government will fund them. This is so because the country has a centrally directed financing system where all revenues, except rates and taxes, are paid into the national coffers. But the government always finds ways to starve the regions of funds and stymie their development.

In employment when the PPP came to power we have seen the casualties of African career diplomats and customs officers; the reconfiguration of the public service that minimizes the presence of Africans under a policy which does not extend to the private sector. The discriminatory treatment of bauxite vis-à-vis sugar; allocation of state funding in the trade union community; withdrawal of state funding to Critchlow Labour College; and the plight of African contractors, to name a few.

The above actions by the PPP bring into serious question any claim of sincerity. They are also deserving of condemnation by every right-thinking person.

Let it be known, the money the government receives and disburses is not the PPP’s. This money belongs to the taxpayers of this country, of which Africans continue to pay their share. Presently the PPP manages the business of the state but since that money belongs to all Guyanese the PPP grants us no favour. In fact the government is legally bound to manage the affairs of the nation in the interest of all and we must hold them accountable.

Mr Ali would want it to be believed that leaders who advocate the wellbeing of the African community are “purveyors and practitioners of racial division in Guyana.” This is taking impertinence too far. I cannot recall an African taking such public liberty in the affairs of Indians. Frankly, I don’t think Indians will accept this insolence and they will be in order.  I am aware that over the years Africans have spoken out in support of what Indians perceived to be injustices against them and their community. To use the public media to engage in this brazen attack on Africans and their leaders is reflective a mindset that thinks it is a right to dominate and dictate to others.

The constitution guarantees to every Guyanese, the right to elect his representative and participate in national decision-making. It also guarantees to all, the right to life, self determination, racial identity, prosperity and equal access to the nation’s resources. As such Africans are within their constitutional right to advocate for their interests and so too are leaders who strive to ensure these rights are respected. Under these circumstances they must reject the labels of ‘racist,’ and “purveyors and practitioners of racial division” by those who are evidently denying them their fundamental rights. In fact they are the dividers and ‘purveyors… of racial division’ and should be denounced every time the ugliness surfaces. Every single Guyanese must be allowed to feel proud of his identity and his legitimate pursuit for self-empowerment without having to be demeaned by others, dictated to, resort to grovelling, feel pressured to make excuses for advocating his rights or disowning his race in order to be accepted or benefit from public resources. In this 21st century Guyana holds a unique place with its public acceptance and promotion of this level of racial intolerance, disrespect and discrimination. These biases violate human rights and decency and are hindrance to national development. They must stop now.

Yours faithfully,
Lincoln Lewis