Dear Editor,
The Stabroek News editorial of Monday February 2, 2015, titled ‘What Minister Edghill said at Lusignan’ is a shameless attempt at creating hysteria in our country.
For the record, I have always worked privately and publicly for the creation of an environment where there is racial security and harmonious relations.
For Stabroek News to take a few sentences of an entire presentation and twist it to paint a picture of me fanning the flames of racism is not only disingenuous but can best be described as yellow journalism.
This ‘holier than thou’ approach by Stabroek News in sitting in judgment and questioning “what in Minister Edghill’s past would have given him the certitude to pronounce on the killings at Lusignan seven years ago” seems to suggest that as a citizen or as a minister of government that I am incapable of analysing the facts and circumstances. Be reminded that the killings at Lusignan were not an isolated event. Like the 9/11 attack on the World Trade Center and numerous other terrorist attacks around the world it must be remembered in its particular context and prevailing environment.
Is this a case of it being so only if Stabroek News says it is so? This speaks to the mindset of the writer of this editorial. I strongly reject the content, spirit, tone and intent of this editorial. At no time in my presentation at the Indian Arrival Committee’s event on January 26, 2015 was I invoking the race card as alleged by Stabroek News. I don’t have a race card. It exists as a figment of the imagination of the author.
I was asked by the Indian Arrival Committee as the former Chairman of the Ethnic Relations Commission who played no small role after this horrific event at Lusignan, as I would have done for the past seven years to address the gathering.
I was not “carefully chosen by his Government to deliver this toxic message” as alleged.
Truth needs no crutches; if it does it is a lie.
Any responsible person who was present at Lusignan on the evening of the Night of Remembrance would clearly disagree with Stabroek News’ editorial.
Is Stabroek News now Potiphar’s wife? Having created the mischief, now twisting the facts to make a case in defence? I don’t need to be lectured about how I should conduct myself. I live by guiding principles that were not determined yesterday.
Stabroek News’ agenda of attempting to paint me as someone who is racist, inciting racism or seeking to inflame racial insecurity is rejected in its totality.
I remain entitled like all other citizens including letter writers and columnists to my opinion and I enjoy the right to freely express my views in this democratic country.
I will not wear this suit tailored by Stabroek News. It will not fit. Try another candidate!
Yours faithfully,
Bishop Juan A Edghill, MP
Minister within the Ministry
of Finance
