We should free ourselves from the “race trap”

Dear Editor,
Once again, Guyana is in the regional and international spotlight following two sets of killings of young men (two of African origin and two of Indian origin) that have sparked the flames of communal violence and threatened to engulf the justice for the four persons who have been killed. It is necessary, but justice is not about assuming facts, acting lawlessly and exploiting emotional sentiment to further the ambitions of a few politicians. The facts of these killings are yet unknown and un-established. The police are still in the process of investigating the crimes. What should be a period of national support to find the perpetrators and deliver justice, has been misused to promote violence and civil disturbance. Justice for the four persons who have been killed is necessary, but justice is not about assuming facts, acting lawlessly and exploiting emotional sentiment to further the ambitions of a few politicians.
Following the first killings of the African-Guyanese teenagers, Isaiah and Joel Henry, supporters of the opposition, APNU/AFC, blocked main highways and confronted Police. Hooligans took advantage of the protests to commit atrocities which included beatings. The following day, two Indo-Guyanese were killed – one of them a 17-year old, Haresh Singh, and the other Prettipaul Hargobon, who was beaten to death by a crowd. Commendably, Volda Lawrence, the Chairman of the People’s National Congress Reform (PNCR), the main party in the opposition APNU, made a public statement, saying she is calling on every single member of the People’s National Congress Reform, irrespective of their status, saying that they cannot continue. This carnage must stop. Similarly, strong statements from the opposition leader in Parliament, Joseph Harmon, and former President David Granger would be the responsible thing for them to do at this point instead of premeditated statements designed to incite the public and stoke ethnic animosity among Guyanese. As Guyanese, we should free ourselves from the ‘race’ trap if we are to avoid despoiling our country and robbing ourselves of the very high quality of life that the recent oil and gas production offers. In the past, violence in Guyana has led to refugees, migration, and instability in the region. Neither the countries of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) nor the nations of the Americas would sit by and watch Guyana descend into civil strife and violence now. Such a development would have consequences for them, and they will undoubtedly act if circumstances demand it. For the time being, neighbouring countries will keep a watchful eye, hoping that good sense will prevail among all the politicians in Guyana to calm emotions and maintain stability. Guyana must become part of the solution to the region’s challenges, not continually be part of its problems
The many Guyanese, who lived through Guyana’s destructive and haunting racial violence between 1962 and 1964, may worry that a similar disaster is being promoted, which could not be controlled or stopped without foreign military intervention. In the 1962-64 period, Guyana was a British colony and British troops intervened. Nonetheless, the considerable loss of life and property wounded the country and scarred the society. Addressing the present situation, Our President, Dr Irfaan Ali, assured the Guyanese people that his Government “will work to bring justice to every single person who has been affected in these circumstances”. Our President has announced that he would be approaching the British Government and the Caribbean Regional Security System for help in investigating the killings. He should include a forensic investigator in his request. An external qualified investigator would help to give confidence to the thoroughness of investigations.
President Ali also said that he is “exploring the commissioning of an international Commission of Inquiry to look at every aspect of this situation”. However, he should also consider how, as a nation, Guyana will, internally, address the racial issue that has been exploited for so long. In this, he should follow the lead of a remarkable Guyanese – Gladstone Henry, the father of one of the murdered boys. Henry has publicly declared, “I am not supporting immoral protesting. As a family, we want justice (but) we as a nation cannot be fighting each other”.
Therefore, consideration should be given to the creation of a ‘One Guyana Commission’, to explore practical steps that can be taken to cement Guyana’s one society. The work of the Commission should be countrywide, listening to the free contention of all voices, concerning ways in which every Guyanese can honour the strands of their ancestral heritage while celebrating their uniquely blended Guyanese civilisation, with equal opportunities for all. Guyanese – of all races – have resided together for almost two centuries. In doing so, a Guyanese civilisation has been woven from strands that originated in other lands – in India, Africa, Europe, China and in Guyana itself. What has been created is a unique blend that is Guyanese. Together, the two main groups in Guyana – people whose ancestors came from Africa and India – are a formidable force. The British colonisers and plantation owners knew that very well, that is why they employed the strategy of divide and rule; a strategy continued by self-serving local politicians. The days of divide and rule is over, togetherness is what we need -transformation anchored on the culture, heritage, and character to achieve sustainable socio-economic development, we must build harmony among our people, there must, of course, be shared prosperity, Let’s allow UNESCO to support this through the Sustainable Development Goals of which culture is a critical success pillar, the vision of shared prosperity 2025 can be a framework that can be enhanced to achieve this. We must move on from irrational and unjustifiable and vengeance in politics, we can embrace our culture that emphasises nation-building through the politics of togetherness to reverse this culture vacuum. Look at the centuries of heritage imbued with character and values for only then can we build a great and civilised nation.

Sincerely,
David Adams