By Mark DaCosta- Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo claims that he personally stepped in to resolve a controversy involving renowned Guyanese sculptor and Administrator of the Burrowes School of Art, Ivor Thom. The reported intervention came after Thom resigned in response to an incident where a member of the public used racial slurs against him. The Vice President acknowledged that the situation was mishandled by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr.
During a press conference, Jagdeo claimed that he had stern words for Minister Ramson regarding the way the matter was dealt with. He said that it was not the government’s responsibility to respond to complaints from the public in such a manner, and that it should have been handled at the Permanent Secretary level. “I spoke with the Minister and told him this was badly handled, and he agreed,” Jagdeo stated. He also emphasised that Thom’s resignation should not have been accepted without a proper inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the racial slurs directed at him.
Thom’s resignation occurred after he was summoned to a meeting by Ramson, following a complaint from a man who had been instructed by Thom that parking in the school’s compound was reserved for staff and students.
The individual, unhappy with the instruction, retaliated with racial slurs against Thom, who is of Afro-Guyanese descent. Instead of addressing the racial abuse, the Minister reportedly questioned Thom’s decision to engage with the man, implying that he should not have concerned himself with parking issues, even though Thom was the Administrator of the school.
Thom, disheartened by the lack of support from the Ministry of Culture, chose to resign. The decision, however, triggered an outcry from the public, students, and officials who valued Thom’s long-standing contribution to the Burrowes School of Art and to the country’s cultural sector. Thom has served in his role for several years and is widely respected for his work as both an artist and an educator.
Upon learning of the resignation, Jagdeo said he decided to intervene, believing that the situation warranted his attention. “This gentleman has served the country well,” Jagdeo said. The Vice President reportedly contacted Thom personally, urging him to reconsider his resignation.
Thom, agreed to return to his post earlier this week. He expressed that his decision to return was driven by his commitment to the students and the institution, particularly after receiving overwhelming support from them. The Vice President concluded that the issue had been resolved, reiterating that the administration would not tolerate any form of racism, whether in the public sector or elsewhere. He further encouraged victims of racial abuse to report incidents to the police or the Ethnic Relations Commission, stressing that such behaviour goes against the principles of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government.
The incident, while resolved with Thom’s return, has sparked broader discussions about the government’s response to racism and the handling of complaints involving racial abuse.
Thom’s initial decision to resign reflected his frustration with how the incident was handled. The artist, known for his dedication to the Burrowes School of Art, was caught off guard by the Ministry’s response, especially given that his contract was nearing its expiration. The public backlash against Thom’s resignation highlighted the respect and admiration he commands as an educator and artist in our country.
The Burrowes School of Art, named after the celebrated artist Edward Rupert Burrowes, has played a pivotal role in nurturing Guyana’s artistic talent. Thom, as a long-serving Administrator, has significantly contributed to the institution’s prestige. His decision to return, despite the challenges, is being hailed as a testament to his dedication to Guyanese art and culture.
