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From almost every quarter of this country the alarming echoes of the many voices, particularly of Africans, could be heard crying out against the discriminatory practices of the Ali/Jagdeo-led People’s Progressive Party government. Indeed, August 2, 2020, was a watershed moment in Guyana’s history and marks the beginning of the period of infamy dedicated to the destruction and humiliation of African Guyanese.
The seats of the chairs of government officials were hardly warmed when those officials commenced the wanton dismissal of scores of state employees, intensified with continued daily assaults on Africans and the institutions they managed.
In a relatively short period, the Jagdeo/Ali regime managed to endorse the tab placed on it as the most racist government this nation has seen since the post World War 2 era. Then, as though addressing simpletons, this cabal fervently exalts a ‘one Guyana’ mantra, while implementing draconian policies that stifle the economic growth of non-complying Blacks. Little do they know that such a style of governance is not only injurious to Africans but to all Guyanese since the extant pain and frustration of Africans can overlap and develop into an explosive situation that may also harm their constituents.
Daily, Africans are tantalised and tormented by the actions or laissez-faire stances of the ruling cabal. The latest of these was their unconscionable acts toward African vendors at Enmore. Those disruptive agents then followed through by withholding adequate information from persons in the path of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge, and the most provocative and disrespectful act was meted out to the Peoples’ National Congress at Lethem where their agents maliciously destroyed the PNC’s property. This act is most provocative since it is an established fact that the PNC is the premiere institution that represents Africans’ interest in Guyana. Such reckless, immature action is undeniably an affront to Africans.
Africans are sitting on a powder keg and their patience is tested every day. One must not feign astonishment when this wanton abuse provokes a violent explosion. Admittedly, no one benefits from an unstable political environment permeated by strife and fear. President Ali and his Vice President, Jagdeo, ought to know that peace and stability cannot be expected under such mean and unfair constraints. But then again, it was Jagdeo who warned that “If they think they can enjoy peace and tranquility, they are so wrong!”
By the way, where are the ‘defenders of democracy’ who fought furiously for, what they termed, that elusive concept of ‘democracy,’ during the 2020 Elections debacle? It seems painfully obvious that they are suffering from a serious case of amnesia and cannot remember where they’ve left their voices. Why are they not denouncing the emerging apartheid state? Why aren’t these vociferous ladies and gentlemen not vehemently calling out the blatant acts of discrimination being meted out to Africans? History will not absolve you since your deafening silence suggests that you have long morphed into a wimp, devoid of a strong spine, intestinal, and/or testicular fortitude.
Too many citizens have lost their tongues at the atrocities that are confronting Africans. They cannot empathize with the offended group because, apart from racist proclivities, their experiences and realities are profoundly different. Then there are those ‘Africans’ within the hierarchy of the ruling cabal who will valiantly debunk my postulation owing to their self-serving agenda, even amidst incontrovertible evidence to the contrary. This is amplified by the morbid fear they harbor of Jagdeo.
Synonymous with the emerging apartheid state is the dehumanisation of Africans by manufacturing limp excuses to send them packing from their jobs resulting in scores of Africans being driven into poverty daily. The boomerang effects of such unconscionable acts are an environment open to criminal activity and deprivation of the right to earn an honest living in one’s country of birth.
In the meantime, unsecured and lowly-paid blue collar jobs are readily available; the most common being security guards, porters, and urban drain cleaners. As one worker was heard proclaiming, “His take-home pay was not even enough to take him home.” This untenable situation should not be allowed to continue and all citizens, irrespective of ethnic or political persuasion should collectively raise their voices against such brutal injustice and criminality.
The ruling cabal is smitten with authority and power and consumed by folly to the extent that it is difficult, nay impossible for Jagdeo or Ali to recognize an imminent threat to a stable democracy. We, the masses must slap some sense into their thick skulls.
It is clear that the ruling cabal’s vicious and wicked acts are designed to emasculate Africans in all aspects. Fortunately, we have not forgotten past lessons since our arrival on these shores and are committed and well-equipped to blunt any attempt at dehumanising us.
Notably, our interests are intertwined and as a nation, we can ill afford to facilitate the status quo and must forcefully condemn the Jagdeo/Ali regime. It behooves the private sector, legal fraternity, clergy, labour movement, and other significant groups to demand an end to the rabid acts of apartheid and a return to a stable democratic situation before ‘all hell breaks loose.’ Martin Carter had admonished that “all are involved, all are consumed.” I say, “Hint to baniba mek quashiba tek notice.”