Dear Editor,
Dr. Randy Persaud writes: “Now the seeds long set in the fertile soils of multiracial possibilities, are contributing to the gathering momentum of the PPP as the only multiracial political force in Guyana”.
I met the late Roger Luncheon at a meeting on Atlantic Avenue in Queens, NY sometime around 2008 (?). He, together with three other Cabinet Ministers, Dale Bisnauth, Gail Texeira, one other had visited the U.S. State Dept. for meetings – and then travelled up to NY to meet the “faithful”. I asked Dr. Luncheon why he hadn’t run for the leadership position after Dr. Jagan had passed on. (I mentioned that Dr. Jagan had always mentioned his name as a successor). This is what Dr. Luncheon said: “I considered it. But then I thought it wouldn’t have worked. And, I gave up on the idea”.
The PPP, ever since the 1960’s – and up to today – is perceived as an Indian people’s party. The PNC is also perceived as an African people’s party. That to me is the biggest problem in Guyanese society – and indeed in the country. It is hard to make progress in such a racially-divided country. This problem is bigger than losing/foregoing $100 billion to Exxon. Now I ask, why did Dr. Luncheon think he as leader “wouldn’t have worked”? Is the party that racial? [One Executive member had actually said, “The party is not yet ready for an African-Guyanese to be leader”. If not now, when?
Let Dr. Randolph Persaud know this: the PPP is largely perceived as an Indian people’s party. The party will fail in the long run because of this shortcoming. Here is the test. When the party has the political maturity to “select” an African-Guyanese from among its faithful to be leader, only then with that necessary and vital first step it would begin to work its way to become a genuine multiracial party. In the meantime everything Dr. Randy pushes here is propaganda.
I once met the CEO of a Madison Avenue Public Relations firm. I asked him, “Do you make your client look as good as he/she actually is – or better?” He replied, “We never misrepresent. We never lie. We always try to make the client be seen in the best light using the available facts”. Notwithstanding the good works of Dr. Luncheon, Guyana is a land where “every last man votes race for his perceived ethnic party”. That has to change. That must change. If we want to change Guyana for the better.
Jagdeo handpicked two Indians – Ramotar and Irfaan Ali. He has to do better than that – if we are going to change this country for the better.
Sincerely,
Mike Persaud
