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The recent controversy surrounding the resignation and return of Mr Ian Ivor Thom, Administrator of the E.R. Burrowes School of Art, has reignited the important and urgent conversation about racism in Guyana. This incident, far from being an isolated altercation, serves as a disturbing reminder of the racial tensions that simmer beneath the surface of our society. It is a national disgrace that in 2024, we are still grappling with overt acts of racial hostility, and worse yet, government inaction when such incidents arise. This episode has once again cast a glaring spotlight on the persistent allegations that the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) government is complicit in fostering an environment where racism is tolerated, if not ideologically endorsed.
To recount the event briefly: Mr Thom resigned from his position after being subjected to racial slurs during a confrontation with a member of the public over improper parking on the school’s compound. Despite Thom being the victim of the abuse, his actions were questioned by Culture Minister Charles Ramson, who, rather than focusing on the racial abuse, implied that Thom should not have engaged the driver in the first place. Disillusioned by the lack of support, Thom stepped down, only to later return after a widespread outcry citizens, and an intervention by Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, who assured him the incident had been mishandled. However, many commentators and analysts now view Jagdeo’s intervention as political damage control, knowing full well the political backlash the PPP would face for allowing a high-profile racial incident to go unresolved.
In light of this situation, many are once again asking the uncomfortable question: Is the PPP government systematically fostering an environment of racial division? While some might see Jagdeo’s involvement as a reconciliatory gesture, others argue it was an insincere attempt to avert a larger scandal. After all, the PPP is no stranger to accusations of racial bias. It is undeniable that under its tenure, many groups — particularly the Afro-Guyanese population — have long complained of marginalisation, a lack of opportunities, and being deliberately left out of decision-making processes. These claims are not new, and the incident with Mr Thom has revived them in a glaringly public way.
Racism is not merely an individual’s prejudice, but when institutionalised, it becomes an ideology that permeates the fabric of governance, threatening democracy itself. Any government that practices or condones systemic racism cannot, by definition, be democratic. Democracy relies on equality, inclusion, and the protection of minority rights. When a government is perceived to be fostering racial discrimination, it not only loses its legitimacy but also erodes the very foundations of democratic governance. In Guyana’s case, the racial tensions between Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese citizens have historically been a source of division, exacerbated by political manoeuvring.
The PPP has faced numerous allegations of racial bias over the years. One major accusation surrounds public sector employment, where it is claimed that under the PPP, Afro-Guyanese have been systematically overlooked for key positions in favour of Indo-Guyanese candidates. This has contributed to the feeling among many Afro-Guyanese citizens that they are second-class citizens in their own country. Another area of concern is the allocation of resources. There are recurring claims that Afro-Guyanese communities receive disproportionately less government funding for development projects compared to Indo-Guyanese areas. These allegations paint a troubling picture of governance that prioritises ethnicity over national unity, leaving entire segments of the population disillusioned and disenfranchised.
The effects of systemic racism are devastating on multiple fronts. Economically, it stifles growth and innovation by excluding talented individuals based on race rather than merit. Socially, it fractures communities, breeding resentment, mistrust, and violence. On a national level, it undermines cohesion and weakens the spirit of unity necessary for progress. In Guyana, a nation with vast natural resources and immense potential, racism acts like a cancer, eating away at the possibility of true development.
We have seen time and again that countries with racially divisive governments fail to reach their full potential. They become mired in internal conflict, economic stagnation, and international isolation. The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has repeatedly stressed that “racial discrimination in all its forms and manifestations is one of the most serious violations of human rights.” How, then, can any country with a racist government hope to prosper?
The reality is simple: racism, particularly when it is institutionalised, benefits no one. It is a societal poison that weakens the very fabric of our nation. While political leaders like Jagdeo might make gestures of reconciliation, the real issue lies in the system itself — one that has allowed racism to fester for far too long. As long as racial tensions continue to be exploited for political gain, Guyana will never reach its full potential. We must all work towards dismantling the structures of racism, starting with holding our leaders accountable for their actions — or lack thereof — when incidents like the one involving Mr Thom occur.
There is no upside to a racist government, only the perpetuation of inequality and division. Our nation deserves better. Let this incident serve not just as a lesson, but as a call to action for real change in Guyana. Only by facing the truth and making conscious efforts to uproot racism from our institutions can we hope to build a future that is equitable for all our citizens, regardless of race.
