Dear Editor,
It’s astounding how the PPP government consistently underestimates the intelligence of Guyanese citizens as if our collective minds were somehow minuscule. Let’s address the elephant in the room: Obeah, a legitimate spiritual belief with roots in Africa and a significant presence in the Caribbean, is not some fringe superstition. It’s a deeply ingrained aspect of African cultural heritage, involving rituals, charms, and potions aimed at various ends, be it healing, protection, or even harm.
But apparently, while Hindus practice Puja—a revered ritual often observed at Guyana’s water bodies, honoring deities, ancestors, and the divine—African spiritualists are deemed unworthy of the same respect. The recent tirade from none other than Priya Manickchand, Guyana’s Minister of Education, on her Facebook page, smacks of ignorance, discrimination, and an astonishing lack of intelligence for someone in such a pivotal role.
Let’s not pretend that Christianity, in all its assorted flavors, isn’t rife with ritualism. From kneeling in prayer to the use of holy water and incense in Catholic ceremonies, the litany of rituals is extensive. Yet, when it comes to practices outside the mainstream, suddenly, there’s uproar and condemnation.
Imagine if this “unnamed” individual had knelt in prayer on the ministry’s bridge. Would that have been more socially acceptable? If so, it speaks volumes about the deep-seated biases and indoctrination still plaguing our society.
I implore, let us rid ourselves of the shallow thinking and profound idiocy emanating from those we mistakenly label as leaders. Let each person practice their religion without fear of ridicule or persecution.
Yours scathingly,
Peter Scott
