Dear Editor,
I read Ras Marcus` letter, in the Stabroek News, of April 20, 2024 captioned: “Afro-Guyanese groups skeptical of Alexander’s attempts to sway public opinion”. I am disappointed that Ras Marcus who is known for his witty social commentary, in the form of calypso, has reduced himself to parroting PPP/C propaganda.
In 2022, when IDPADA-G`s subvention was suspended, its membership stood at 68. Its present membership stands at 78, yet Marcus claims that Afro-Guyanese organizations are transitioning away from IDPADA-G. In their interest, given the penchant of the PPP/C to victimize those who are not behooven to them, those new members will remain unnamed.
I will not be distracted by the rest of Marcus` parroting about IDPADA-G, since there is enough factual information in the public domain that refutes his diatribe. I am however delighted that Marcus has brought to the fore his proclaimed ‘acquaintance with my history, particularly my pattern of victimizing Afro-Guyanese individuals’.
One such case in point: Marcus was a student of the University of Guyana, who wanted me to facilitate the award of grades to him; and his graduation, although he was in default of payment, while completely misrepresenting and falsely referencing, a contention that I had promised him that with a change of Government, fee paying would be abolished. Obviously, I could not facilitate any student`s access to grades, and ultimately graduation, if the stipulated fee had not been paid. That would have been in breach of the University`s policy, at the time. To consider my action as victimization is patently wrong, since I was not separating out Marcus for special negative attention. I was dealing with him in the matter in which any defaulting student, at that time, was treated. His case was not the only one.
The good news is that Marcus` accusation lays bare, though not intentionally, that my behaviour was rule based rather than impartial or ethno-centric. I did not conduct the University`s affairs based on subject factors, such as ‘kith and kin’ or ethnicity, as Marcus` accusation implied should have been the case.
I thank Marcus for his unintentional revelation that my conduct was not race based. He has provided me with the opportunity to confront those who are consciously racial, and can only see my advocacy, for the entitlements of the African Guyanese, from a racial perspective, rather than a humane perspective.
I remain committed to the ideals of the International Decade for the People of African Descent, which are premised on the principle of Universal Human Rights, while recognizing that the pre and post emancipation institutional and legal regimes hindered the recognition, fair treatment (justice) and development of the Guyanese of African descent, thus, now, requiring equitable treatment as a pre-condition for them for to enjoy equality.
Yours truly,
Vincent Alexander
