Dear Editor,
I have been reading your newspaper for a long time and I am constantly bombarded by a number of editorials, letters and columns claiming that there is marginalization and lack of opportunities for one ethnic group in Guyana. Numerous letter writers hammer home this message and are given lots of space to vent their views openly claiming to be pursuing an African agenda. I feel that the escalation in the killings of innocent people in Guyana can be directly attributed to these irrational ramblings which you permit in your newspaper. They encourage the view that such actions are explainable because of social issues which remain unresolved.
I have come to the point where I must ask the question; who speaks for the Indian, Portuguese, Chinese, Amerindian and other ethnic groups in Guyana? Do these other groups feel that the Afro Guyanese are marginalized?
Look around Guyana. Who are the civil servants, policemen, soldiers, nurses, teachers and other monthly paid workers in our economy? We hear reports of persons trying to get jobs in these ethnic enclaves and being forced out because they cannot adjust to the culture of these entities. Either the food is not acceptable or the working conditions are made so difficult that other ethnic groups are frustrated into leaving to pursue other avenues, very often migration.
What is left for those other marginalized groups? Cane fields or rice fields or business? These are areas of occupation that require discipline and hard work and no room for idling and days off. The average self-employed person works harder than the most senior managers in the offices mentioned above. These are also areas which do not require a degree and are open to anyone so where is the discrimination and marginalization?
I think that our country must put these excuses behind us and all of our leaders must resolve to put their shoulders to the wheel and work in unity to move Guyana forward. The time has come to produce or perish. Wake up Guyana.
Yours faithfully,
Satesh Deodat
Editor’s note:
Please specify the editorials and columns to which you refer as we are not aware of them.
We do publish letters which claim there is marginalization of African Guyanese but we have also published letters rejecting that claim.
