There can be no doubt in the minds of all objectively thinking persons that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime is engaging in behaviours that indicate a policy of discrimination. That fact has been supported by unaccountable policy decisions, actions, and other behaviours exhibited by the ruling regime.
Perhaps, most notable, are the blatant acts of discrimination against African Guyanese the majority of who is known to support the opposition A Partnership for National Unity+ Alliance for Change (APNU+AFC) Coalition. Those acts have been publicised and underscored exhaustively by Guyanese and foreigners alike, and they need not be enumerated here.
It is equally obvious that in addition to the systemic discrimination against Guyanese based on race — in contravention of Articles 149 and 150 of the Constitution of Guyana — The PPP is committing similar sins against others. Following the PPP’s rise to power in August 2020, hundreds, perhaps thousands of Guyanese were summarily dismissed from the public service.
While in many cases no reasons were given, it is generally known that the reason for those dismissals was the PPP’s belief that those persons are APNU+AFC Coalition supporters. Terminations of employment and other forms of discrimination continue to this day, more than two years into the PPP latest reign. Such acts must not be allowed to continue; Guyanese must respond tangibly.
Right-thinking, fair-minded Guyanese know that discrimination is wrong. We know that to remain silent in the face of such injustice is not acceptable. We know that we must act.
Since the PPP and its elite cohorts appear to understand only the language of money, Guyanese who want to live in an equitable, and unprejudiced society should speak to the PPP regime in that language. Boycotting businesses that openly support the discriminatory regime may be a good place to start. Sanctioning those who fund discrimination is a just and worthy cause.
Guyanese are aware the PPP has total or de facto control of particular media houses. Those media outlets get the bulk if not all government advertisements. Fair minded Guyanese may wish to rethink patronising media outlets as well as businesses that support those publications with advertisements.
At the same time, patriotic Guyanese may consider supporting the few news publications that are courageous enough to expose the duplicity of the PPP regime. Additionally, businesses that oppose the PPP’s discriminatory agenda should seriously contemplate taking affirmative action by preferentially giving jobs to persons who are suffering because of PPP discrimination.
It must be emphasised that Guyanese should live as one people in one nation even as we share a common destiny. However, the PPP regime is, by its actions, causing some sections of our society to endure unbearable hardships. That is wrong. And it is up to patriotic, fair-minded Guyanese to correct this terrible wrong. It is up to those who have economic power to do what is right to bring equity to Guyana’s financial landscape.
