Home Letters PPP/C Administration does not discriminate, and is not racist; therefore, does not...
Dear Editor,
Reference is made to a letter published on October 20, 2022 under the headline “What does being Afro-Guyanese, proud, and PPP really mean?” written by Sherwood Lowe.
The questions he asked in his missive do not deserve a response from Prime Minister Brigadier Mark Phillips, because they appear petty.
They deserve a response from any critical, open-minded and objective Guyanese, who is up-to-date with current affairs and the happenings in terms of governance, Government, and common political party policies.
I wish to state that everyone should be able to freely choose the political party they wish to support and/or represent without fear of malice, lambasting, and derogatory terms being attached to their choice. This is under Article 21 of the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, of which Guyana is a signatory.
Firstly, the PM does not stand “on guard, constantly vigilant, reversing any acts or decisions by the PPP that deny equal respect and equal access to opportunities for all”. PM Phillips has no need to, because there are no incidents of racism that I can point to being practised by the PPP Administration either internally or externally towards the people of Guyana; more specifically, the Afro-Guyanese as a group.
Further, there is no willful policy by the PPP Administration that denies “equal respect and equal access to opportunities for all”. That is Lowe’s imagination at work, and playing games with him, because every single opportunity reaches all the people of Guyana via the same means.
For example, the ‘Because We Care’ cash grant is for all school-age students, and reaches every administrative Region in Guyana, even Regions Four, Seven and Ten. I challenge Lowe to point out where one group is being favoured at the expense of another on this policy initiative. Further, cash grants distributed to pensioners, disabled communities and children, Amerindians, fishermen and farmers are all equal opportunity policy measures.
There is no need to be vigilant and on guard. There is no need to reverse any policy adumbrated by the PPP/C. The Administration’s policies are not clandestine, but are clear for all to see.
Secondly, if Lowe had taken the time to do even a minute amount of research, he would have been aware that it was the Prime Minister who spearheaded a cabinet outreach to the community of Buxton on July 4. Had he only utilised Google’s search engine, he would have seen the Prime Minister himself interacting with, listening to, and addressing the concerns of residents who were mostly Afro-Guyanese.
Thirdly, the PM does not need to call up a single Minister to ensure that funding for all RDCs and NDCs is devoid of political and ethnic considerations. The PM is a part of the Cabinet, and is privy to all the discussions that take place about topical geopolitical issues. He knows the law is followed to its letter and spirit. Again, here ethnic consideration is not a factor in the PPP’s policy measures, and all NDCs and RDCs are funded by law and according to the discretionary need.
Fourthly, if Lowe really wanted answers concerning the Prime Minister’s advocacy for unity and inclusivity, I am positive that he would have stumbled upon the Prime Minister’s visit to Golden Grove, where he yet again addressed the grave concerns of the people, who were also mostly of African descent.
Fifthly, this PPP/C Administration appears to not be satisfied with the documents and explanation put forward by the IDPADA-G grouping. So, if he is seeking to intertwine the PM in this issue, he will not get further answers. I feel the issue is not one of discrimination or racism, never mind the fact that some of its principals are allegedly accused of being racists and African supremacists, like Vincent Alexander and Dr Norman Ng-A-Qui. It has to do with accountability and transparency, as well as making sure that the money is spent on African Guyanese, and not for funding Opposition political groups or elements.
Consequently, the PPP/C Administration does not need the PM to play the role of enforcer. There are people of African descent or Afro-Guyanese at all levels of the party who would not see a policy that is potentially being carried out in a discriminatory and racist manner and not say something or object to it.
Also, the PM is just one member of this Administration. I dare say there are hundreds, if not thousands, of prominent and popular Afro-Guyanese who are in the PPP Government and do not see the racism and discrimination.
These are questions that Guyanese must first ask themselves before allowing functionaries like Lowe to corrupt and disorient their way of thinking with vacuous propositions.
Finally, Lowe’s letter has a certain racist and political undertone. It is aimed at pulling the PM and PPP into a divisive and ethnic debate when he is consumed by the ‘One Guyana’ mantra and Commission that seeks to promote unity and togetherness among all groups of the country.
In the Guyana that is governed by the PPP/C, the colour of one’s skin is not important to how the leadership sees development and distributes resources. Similarly, political affiliation does not matter.
I think the PM should continue working towards the President’s “One Guyana” initiative, because it is coming to reality, and Lowe will continue to write these objectionable letters because they speak to only his base and divisive politics. He appears to be the instigator-at-large, and only comes to the fore to comment on these things that have to do with racism and politics against the PPP.
Yours truly,
Michael Younge
