Much coverage is currently being given by the media to two persons who rubbed shoulders with the hierarchy of the PNC in its heyday. Hamilton Green, former vice-president, has taken a somewhat spiritual posture on social issues while Election Commissioner, Vincent Alexander, incessantly propagates the plight of his black brethren. Without any doubt, people of African descent were horribly mistreated by Colonial rule and even today mistreatment is scattered worldwide. It is totally heinous, just like any form of racism.
Anyone can trace the African journey from the inception of the slave trade in the sixteen century through Emancipation, Segregation, Apartheid and above all –military dictatorship perpetrated upon their own people right in the African homeland. As an example, Sub-Saharan Africa has 53 countries: 34 are military dictatorships and one party states. Uhuru (the Swahilian clarion call for freedom from colonialism) has not worked to this day.
The funds shunted to Alexander’s IDPADA under the Granger regime stands at close to 500 Million! Not a single organization in Guyana has come remotely close to the $500 million the IDPADA (International Decade of People of African Descent) has received! Yet Mr. Alexander and other persons constantly lament their history of exploitation and subjugation instead of aspiring for greater heights. Would Alexander and company care to analyze the kick-down-door bandits in the early 80’s? The example of America’s 44th President, Barack Obama, whose net worth stands at 70 Million, will suffice.
Other races have endured state sponsored exploitation and genocide: the holocaust of the Jewish people stands out, yet in the US they are among the most educated, disciplined and wealthy. Why? Because they are thrifty, much like Indian people, and adhere to cultural values like the teachings of the Torah, attending synagogues and wearing their tradition clothes. Throughout Guyana anyone can witness one set of people with shalwar, kurta, sari etc. while their counterparts adhere to western clothes. Is not hard to analyze the relative peripheral achievements of people who were enslaved, murdered and robbed then handed a book that declares: (1)Thou shall not steal () Thou shall not kill.
Finally, all races have the right to protest any wrongdoing, but not to use protests as a pretext for looting.
Leyland Chitlall Roopnaraine
