Two recent editorials in the Stabroek News under the following captions caught our attention: “Binary worldview” and “Permanent secretaries” published on 12 May 2024 and 13 May 2024, respectively. In relation to the former, the editorial’s assessment is that:
The [ruling party] lives in what it perceives to be a binary local universe: there is the party and there is the opposition. As such every individual, organization or entity in the country falls into one of these two categories, not excluding the various segments of civil society. In its over-simplified worldview impartiality, neutrality or even objectivity are not to be found in the political sphere, and it behaves much of the time as if that is the only sphere of human endeavour.
We agree entirely with the above assessment. It is most unfortunate that there is no recognition of the role civil society plays and the ability of individuals to stand on independent ground and above the political considerations. Many persons have suffered immensely, especially in terms of employment opportunities locally as well as overseas, because of this attitude. They are ostracized and treated as if they are outcasts and enemies of the State, not to mention persistent attempts at character assassination and vilification of the person, using the State media and other platforms that are readily accessible via the Internet.