PERCEPTIONS OF DISCRIMINATION
Ralph Ramkarran
Written by Ralph Ramkarran – Saturday, 15th August 2015
There are growing concerns within the Indian Guyanese community that the Government has embarked on large-scale discrimination against them. This is being fuelled by politically driven accusations by the PPP using the same emotive language used by the PNC/PNCR in the 1990s – ‘ethnic cleansing.’ I do not accept that there is such discrimination but the growing perception is a negative phenomenon so early in the life of the Government. It should not be dismissed because once such perceptions take hold, they are very difficult to overcome.
Guyana’s politics are organized for the expression of ethnic sentiments and are driven by ethnic considerations. The PPP governments of 1957 to 1964 were accused of racism and of being a ‘rice’ government and worse. During the PNC era of the 1970s and 1980s, the PNC governments were accused by the PPP of ‘racial and political discrimination.’ When the PNC lost the elections in 1992, one dominant theme emanating from its leaders, members and supporters was PPP’s discrimination. That theme quickly developed into accusations of ‘ethnic cleansing.’ It finally settled in to ‘marginalisation’ where it remained constant throughout PPP’s terms of office and became an accepted fact among African Guyanese. It attained great resonance when Dr. Luncheon said in evidence in Bharrat Jagdeo’s libel case against the Kaieteur News and Frederick Kissoon that no African Guyanese were qualified to be ambassadors.
Comments
It can also be seen as reverse discrimination or affirmative action (a system that is quietly unraveling in the US because of a build-up of resentment that is has resulted in serious push back as it continues to gain ground) and shows that this is to be expected and will set be into precedent whenever Guyana changes govt. The PNC/APNU, in its move to reduce the influence of the AFC by increasing the number of ministers within its organization has declared its intentions to exert and maintain strong control and power by creating party hacks and loyal supporters dependent on a bloated govt welfare structure to survive. Like welfare recipients made dependent and accustomed to free handouts, there is no way these folks are going to give this up come next election. The time is NOW for a peaceful two-state solution to Guyana’s ethnic and political problem that is much too divisive for the success of Guyana’s future.
Gigi: “……….much too divisive for the success of Guyana’s future.”
Its sad to accept the failure but you may have a point. Some perceptions reinforced by politicians and the media would always triumph over reality. We see it in the US with the political parties and we see it with religion. Its a human tragedy. The common man in the street is always the loser.
As I see it the PPP is bent on holding its base. THat means thinking of themselves and not the country they already screwed up while Granger and his group dont have the political and managerial skills to deal with the issue.Two-state solution however, is not the solution. Its impractical.
As a wannabe Venezuelan, Gigi is hell-bent on breaking up the state of Guyana. So she has to keep on with the propaganda in an effort to convince the ignorant.
A response to Ramkarran’s article by Lincoln Lewis should be noted.
A vicious circle which should end.
Thinker, I AM A BORN VENEZUELAN. Thank you very much!
Thinker, it’s like this, see, I am going to put it in terms of a marriage.
I/WE want a divorce. This arrange marriage of sorts is not longer working out for me/US any longer. I/WE have had enough of the physical and mental abuse, the constant warring and fighting and bickering. It’s not healthy and it’s harming the kids so very badly that most cannot function on the basic executive level. For my part, I would fight you to the death until we both end up killing each other. But, think about the kids for once. They will be without both parents and their psychological well-being will be irreparably damaged. So I want out and I’m taking the kids who want to come with me. And I want my equal share of the assets. I have worked darned hard and contributed to building what we have. I am still strong and resourceful, young, full of life and energy. I am dead set in my desire to end this marriage. Forget the expensive counselors and lawyers. They are in it for the money and will drag it on until they end up with everything last penny of our assets. Then we’ll both end up dirt poor and hating each other more than ever. Let’s do this amicably and with a clear and level head aimed at divvying up but keeping the wealth among us. BUT I/WE WANT A DIVORCE. AND I/WE WANT IT NOW! THIS MARRIAGE IS DEAD! IT”S OVER!
Reminds me of the fact that Jinna and the Muslims of British India could not bear the thought of living in a Hindu majority state. Despite Gandhi’s efforts to appease, which resulted in his assassination, Pakistan came into existence. Now so many of its citizens are quite happy to live in the secular West and Baluchistan is in open revolt.
The marriage was quite fine for a while but since May there was a drastic deterioration. With the Ashley-Madison revelations we now know what went wrong. Cheating was going on a long time, Matilda. I/We want our money back.
Ashley-Madison: Life is Short. Have an Affair ….. http://time.com/4007374/ashley-madison-578-million-lawsuit-canada/
@thinker
Sudan split to form two independent countries in 2011, Sudan and South Sudan. The people could not bear the thought of living among each other. A look at the new countries around the world shows this consistent pattern including Sudan and Eritrea (1993) and South Africa and Namibia (1990). They were a total of 5 new countries formed in the 21st century and we are only into year 15 of this century. And they were 13 new countries formed in the 20th century. Time does not stand still. It’s ever changing and always on the move. And people want to change and move with time/the times.
They are more Guyanese living abroad than in Guyana. THE ARRANGED MARRIAGE OF SORTS WAS NEVER FINE!!! However, they are more Pakistanis living in Pakistan than in the west.
You want your money back? You did not pay. You got paid. Now the contract is being broken and you’re refusing to leave because, as always, you want the easy way out. You ARE a delusional thinker if you think that this arrangement would continue indefinitely or was made to last!
Why aren’t YOU ecstatic and majorly relieved that Matilda will finally be leaving FOR GOOD? You should be jumping for joy and thanking me effusively; even tripping over yourself in your hurrying to expedite my exit. Surely, you can’t be upset because of the perceived rejection? It was a contract, dearie, remember? And no contracts are binding. No rejection. Honestly.
Matilda, I know that Venezuela seems to be a rich sugar daddy but you will be culturally isolated under any scenario. I told you that before with examples but its either you hard ears or you forgetting English already. Guyana has its problems http://www.inewsguyana.com/the-tragedy-of-indians-2/ but you cant really think they will be resolved with Maduro or the plutocracy likely to return to power, The countries you are talking about (Note the Ethiopia Eritrea correction) with the exception of S. Sudan have cultural unity over a given geographical area. That is NOT the case in Essequibo but perhaps I need a translator to make my point. There must be a way of making this historically forced or arranged marriage work. Works well in some cultures.
Got to rush off and eat some baigan choka and watch a Bollywood movie. Hope you get cultural fulfillment in Cuidad Guayana or wherever your president puts you. Hope you dont forget how to prepare for seven curry functions.
Goodness, delusional thinker, you truly lack executive functioning! I am talking about Guyana becoming two ethnically and politically separate countries – one governed by the PPP and another by the PNC/AFC. Culturally isolated? What utter nonsense! Only people who have a hard time fitting in with a group are culturally isolated. I guess you are not aware of the large percentage of western expats living in South America. What’s the matter? Can’t you take cold hard brutal rejection? Okay, so I lied when I said I was being honest. I was trying to spare your feelings. But since you couldn’t figure that out either, let me spell it out boldly – THERE IS NO MORE MAKING THE MARRIAGE WORK. IT’S OVER! YOUR FREELOADING DAYS ARE DONE!
Let me be equally frank. Your proposal is ridiculous and unwolkable for purely geographic reasons. Venezuela would eat up whoever is in Essequibo. I have even seen some idiots calling for the population of Berbice to relocate to Essequibo. Feel free to keep on talking nonsense. How come you only got your great revelation after May? Were you ever truly Guyanese?
Why is it unworkable? History proves otherwise. Geographic reasons? You may want to take a look at the world map/globe. Geography has not stop independent countries from being born. Your inability to accept rejection speaks volumes. Your questioning my great revelation after May and asking me if I were ever a true Guyanese speaks to your mental processing capacity.
I have noticed that there is a big discrepancy in your physical age and your mental age. I blame this on the education system under the PNC. I too suffered from what you have at one time, but one of the many “revelations” I have come to over the course of my life has been the realization of how inadequate my level of education was and wanting to change it. I have no intention of regressing academically to accommodate or engage you. Neither am I obligated.
However, though I am not a fan of him, I will leave you with this quote from MLK in the hopes that you will put it to meaningful use.
“Nothing is the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.” Martin Luther King