The fact that Guyana has a problem of racial division may no longer be questioned; recent occurrences have removed any doubt that there exist serious and troubling issues. Those occurrences — which appear to be increasing in number and intensity — are having observable negative effects on a growing number of aspects of life in Guyana.
One will recall that the first article in this multi-part series defined what is racism, and underscored the fact that race is an artificial and man-made social construct. The concept has no scientific basis.
The second part of this series examined the fact that some Guyanese — notably officials of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) — wrongly deny that racism exists in Guyana. The article showed that such denial makes the problem worse.
Guyanese will be aware that the matters now making news headlines revolve around remarks made by speakers at a Working People’s Alliance (WPA) event, and issues related to and following those remarks.
The remarks under scrutiny were made by WPA Executive Members, Tacuma Ogunseye and Rhonda Layne. The remarks have been interpreted by some as distasteful.
Several members and supporters of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR) — including prominent persons such as a former General Secretary of the party, as well as the Mayor of the City of Georgetown have publicly “called out” and distanced themselves from the remarks made by Ms. Layne.
The PNCR participated in the event and its leader, Aubrey Norton, was a speaker at the event. Mr. Norton has, so far, not commented.
The PPP, through the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Anil Nandlall has condemned the remarks. Mr. Nandlall has said that the racially charged remarks may have violated several laws.
This publication emphases that the purpose of this series is to encourage public discussion about racism in Guyana and recommend possible solutions. As such, Guyanese may wish to contemplate a few questions.
- The PPP’s denial that racism exists in Guyana has always been made in the context of the PPP being accused of racism and racial discrimination. Now that the political opposition is being accused of racist rhetoric, has the PPP changed its position? Does the PPP now believe that a racial problem exists? Does the PPP believe that it is a one-sided problem or a multi-faceted issue?
- It is a fact that recent events — including the one highlighted here – have caused some level of division in the ranks of the Opposition. How do supporters of the Opposition view this matter, and how may it be resolved?
- Do supporters of the Opposition believe that recent events have made the Opposition stronger or weaker?
- Some Guyanese have said that Opposition supporters who have condemned the remarks are simply doing damage control. In other words, the condemnations were not genuine. The question arises? What would it take for a condemnation of racial rhetoric to be considered “genuine” by those Guyanese?
- Since it appears that the PPP can no longer pretend that a problem does not exist, what does the administration — being the government of Guyana — plan to do about it?
- Mr. Aubrey Norton is the leader of the PNCR, should he not, by now, have made his position on this issue public? Is it ever too late to clarify one’s position?
