By Darren Wade (Attorney-at-law)- We must be able, in a democracy, to accept the irritable and the offensive and be able to respond in a like manner. This is subject to it not being racist, inciting violence, or promoting harm.
Personally, I do not find what was said by Dr. David Hinds to be offensive or unlawful but I can see and appreciate why some might find it offensive.
The borrowing of the Trinidadian calypso Lick Bottom African is a call for introspection and unity among African people. Bob Marley once called for the unification of all Africans, proclaiming that it is a good and pleasant thing before God and man to see the unity of African people.
It is the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) that President David Granger recently reminded us had, in 1964, used machine guns to open fire on African people. Three of my close relatives were killed. The people of Mahaicony and West Berbice still live in fear of those events.
White soldiers and men from the villages were forced to guard the communities while the PPP wreaked havoc.
Under the PPP, the death squad operated, and many mothers to this day do not know where their sons are.
It was a PPP minister who infamously declared, “Let Georgetown stink, and disease will break out,” knowing full well who would be affected.
The PPP has a history of terminating thousands of African workers when they assumed power in both 1992 and 2020.
Africans in Guyana continue to face marginalisation every day under the PPP government.
This is evident in the failure to confirm the acting Chief Justice and the acting Chancellor of the Judiciary, both of whom are African Guyanese, to substantive positions. The deliberate stalling of their appointments demonstrates the systemic exclusion and undermining of African leadership in the judiciary and beyond.
The PPP has consistently engaged in policies and actions that disadvantage African Guyanese, perpetuating economic and social inequalities that hinder their progress and representation in key sectors.
Let us not lose focus on the main issue. It is time for Africans to abandon the crab-in-a-barrel mentality and embrace unity. This call for unity has existed since the era of slavery.
One thing I can say with certainty is that I am not a lick bottom African.
David Hinds, like all Guyanese, has the right to freedom of expression and freedom of conscience.
