Conversations on Race in America and Guyana

The novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) which started in Wuhan, China has resulted in Asians being the victims of hate crime in the United States. They have been blamed for being responsible for the deadly virus and have been verbally and physically attacked and murdered. None other than former President Donald Trump helped to fuel the disdain by referring to the virus as the China-flu.

Americans across the racial divide protested the attack on Asians. There were marches in different parts of the country against hate. State and federal governments were lobbied to pass laws to protect Asians. Both the Senate and House of Representation passed COVID-19 Hate Crime Bill with support from both Republicans and Democrats. Last month (May 20) President Joe Biden signed the legislation.

After the signing President Biden posted this to his twitter account: “Hate has no place in America – and I look forward to making that clear this afternoon by signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law.” This is a 360-degree turn from his predecessor’s management style who stoked and benefited from fermenting hate in U.S. society. The president is the head of the country. Some would equate such headship/leadership to a father figure. A father, leader or head leads by example by attitude, words and actions.

President Biden’s management style and respect for other people could be a lesson for race relations in Guyana and the President of Guyana.