Dear Editor,
Prime Minister (PM) Mark Phillips’ vicious and puzzling attack against Senior Counsel and Member of Parliament Roysdale Forde in the press has left me appalled and ashamed. Feelings that I am sure, other Guyanese certainly share. After all, anyone in any part of the world can read what the PM wrote in his letter captioned, “Roysdale Forde attempts to trivialise slavery must be condemned.”
In his misdirected missive, the PM’s main intent appeared to be the defence of his boss, President Dr.Irfaan Ali. The PM took issue with SC Forde’s contention that President Ali’s attitude towards African Guyanese is comparable to that of European slave owners. The PM wrote:
“Forde expressed that “sadly in 21st century independent Guyana, the Ali government, in many ways, is not different from the colonial masters and enslavers.” (Village Voice, 8/28/2023).
“He then called on the President to do the unthinkable and offer an apology. Comparing the freedoms that were fought for and enjoyed today should never be equated to the regime of slavery that existed hundreds of years ago.
“His comments serve to trivialise the impact of slavery, disregarding the experiences of countless individuals who endured unimaginable hardships, and also undermines our ability to learn from the
mistakes of the past.
“For this, he should be condemned.”
First, I note that the PM is an educationally accomplished man with two academic degrees, several diplomas, and numerous military decorations. As such, he could not have misunderstood what SC Forde said. I ask, too, why does the PM think that an apology from his boss, President Ali, is “unthinkable.” Is Irfaan Ali above offering apologies to anybody?
Second, I note that as an African Guyanese who acts as window dressing in a regime that practices institutional racism, PM Phillips has to sing for his supper. Therefore, his pronouncements may not be so puzzling after all.
Third, I emphasise that no objective fact stated by MP Forde is open to question or dispute. It is true that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) regime has brutalised, terrorised, and traumatised Afro-Guyanese individuals and communities since taking office in August 2020. And never mind the PPP’s talk about equality and unity – talk is cheap – it is only actions that matter. The actions of the PPP regime reveal that – yes indeed – the mindset of President Ali and his officials are no different from the colonial slave masters.
Forde said that [President Ali] must demonstrate [his claimed concern] by treating Guyanese better, paying real wages to the workers of Guyana, adequately compensate Guyanese whose homes were uprooted and destroyed [by the PPP], and correct the several acts of economic, political and social injustices that have come to characterise the regime.” That opinion is certainly shared by the victims of the ruthless PPP regime.
I hasten to note that SC Forde never said that President Ali and his cronies are keeping slaves; his references were all about the mindset of the PPP cabal.
Finally, it is my view that SC Forde was quite correct in pointing out that the regime of Irfaan Ali thinks in a manner that is no different from pre-independence colonisers, and the PPP’s actions reveal that mindset of dominance, racial superiority, and social injustice. And, yes, the regime owes an apology and reparations to Guyanese, whom it has wronged.
It is a notable fact that the PPP regime of Irfaan Ali is even worse than the colonisers, because, now, while the Europeans/British are admitting their wrongs and opening discussions about reparations, the PPP regime of Irfaan Ali refuses to even acknowledge its blatant racism.
Yours truly,
Pt.Ubraj Narine, JP, COA
Former Mayor
City of Georgetown
