The politics of hatred is the biggest hindrance to development

Dear Editor,

During the heyday of Dr Walter Rodney and his party’s resistance to the policies of the then Forbes Burnham administration, a small publication entitled ‘The WPA handbook’ was printed by an arm of the GDF/PNC administration. The booklet contained dates of birth and other essential information pertaining to the members of the WPA. The handbook was issued to members of the intelligence section of the GDF, Special Branch and other like agencies, which had to keep all members of the WPA under constant surveillance.

The WPA was considered by the then PNC administration as the number one enemy of Guyana.

The end result was the assassination of Dr Walter Rodney.

The statement by the PNCR Region Three Chairman (SN 17.7.09) describing the PPP/C as the nation’s number one enemy is indeed sad and a throwback to those days of repression. I am of the opinion that the gentleman’s statement coincides with the thinking of his party and its members, and some supporters.

A few weeks ago a friend and I were discussing Guyanese politics (a rather tedious undertaking) under the present administration and the deleterious effect it was having on the nation. The politics of hatred and racism, whether real or imagined, has proven to be the biggest hindrance to development and one of the major causes for the unending migration of our peoples.

The main advocates of hatred and racism are the talk-show hosts, the politicians (who de cap fit, draw de string), and some trade unionists.

The celebration of events/anniversaries, in which the shedding of Guyanese blood by Guyanese is commemorated, is a case in point.

The nation teeters on the brink of a political and racist abyss, whilst the politicians go about their daily tasks of politically attacking each other. The time has come for a real Guyanese man or woman, to stand up and tell the politicians, enough is enough.

Yours faithfully,
CS Vaughn MSM
Major (Rtd)