Dear Editor,
There is never a dull moment in my native land Guyana. When one believes things will get better, it gets WORSE. The past week was quite an eventful one, from Ms. Melissa Atwell’s family, latest being Mr. Ivor Thom.
Earlier in the week of September 16, 2024, a young Afro Guyanese entrepreneur, who operates a wash-bay in the community of Tuschen, East Bank Essequibo took to his social media platform bringing to attention to the world what he has been experiencing in his community. I publicly commend him for his bravery. Too long Guyanese are hurting in silence, but gradually they are building courage to speak out and speak up against wrongful acts being perpetuated on them. That young man, Joel Dodson poured his lungs out of the frustrations he faced daily by neighbours.
Where has the spirit of community cooperation gone? Where is the love and compassion for each other as Guyanese? Why should an individual endured daily persecution for conducting an honest dollar to provide for his family, as we are reminded in Genesis 3:19, “by thy Sweat, thou shalt eat bread…” It was painful to hear him reference several businesses doing similar activities as he is, and he is the only target for his neighbours.
Hearing that officials from CHPA visited the location and was hard on young Dodson by allegedly casting a blind eye on the other businesses, was clearly a target on Mr. Dodson. Where are we heading as a society and how did we get here? If it was discovered that persons are operating businesses at their residence, then all should be guided accordingly by CHPA.
May I also point out that wash bays have become a popular business for many individuals, more so, young people and these businesses are operated on Government reserves. In the video seen, Mr. Dodson is operating his business on Government reserves, as the others are doing in the community.
I am compelled to briefly address an article carried in Kaieteur News of Saturday, September 22, 2024 of a sad experience Mr. Ivor Thom, former Administrator of the Burrowes School of Art endured by the tongue of Minister Charles Ramson, forcing him to tendered his resignation.
How can a sitting Minister make such a comment to Mr. Thom, a renowned and accomplished Sculptor, “your image is not a reflection of what he wants for this ministry.” I find such a comment to be offensive, out of place, despicable, disrespectful and disgraceful from a sitting Minister. It is telling any right-thinking Guyanese of African Ancestry what this PPPC regime thinks of them. Perhaps, the Minister can inform the public what he meant by such a comment made to Mr. Thom.
Mr. Ramson should be reminded that this nation is made up of six races, all created in the image and likeness of God. Who are you to determine or define one’s image, Me. Ransom?
As a proud Afro Guyanese, I will not allow the likes of a Ramson, or his colleagues in the PPPC to define who I am. It is TIME this NONSENSE ends. We are all Guyanese and should not be looked at with scornful eyes or from different lens.
I can only imagine how humiliated Mr. Thom felt at the moment. I hope that he will not allow such utter nonsense by Mr. Ramson to break him, his spirit or discourage him from his focus. He must know who he is and his worth. I must applaud the affected students at the school for speaking out, in condemning the actions by Minister Ramson and whoever the driver was in the red SUV.
Minister Ramson should be reminded of his role, “a policy maker.” If a report was made against Mr. Thom, to him, then any good administrator would ensure that the report is forwarded to the Human Resources Department, through Mr. Thom’s immediate supervisor. Mr. Ramson in my view has crossed the line!
Editor, I have had several encounters with Mr. Thom, very soft spoken, respectful and always willing to share his knowledge, are a few adjectives to describe this son of Guyana. I therefore conclude that all right-thinking Guyanese should raise their voice against the racial remarks made against Mr. Thom and called on Mr. Charles Ramson Jnr to publicly apologise to Mr. Thom.
Our nation has been divided along racial lines; it is time for a National Reconciliation against this demonic spirit that has taken centre stage in our society. It is TIME leaders desist from such unsavoury behaviours and end the blame game as to which political party or political leader is ‘racial or not racist.’
May God help us as a Nation!
Yours truly,
Annette Ferguson, MP
