Dear Editor,
Over the past couple of months, a subliminal reference was made by MP Walton-Desir, on what she believes the cognitive make-up of the PPP/C’s political base is.
To be precise, she said “… that part of the political divide, on the PPP/C, have a base that if they [PPP] say this is going to happen…they believe that because the burden of sorting things out for themselves is too great and so they remained trapped. All the while, believing that they are free to think and self-determine, they do not have the right of self-determination because true freedom requires work. It is okay for me to remain in bondage because someone is responsible for me…you have a bunch of mentally lazy people”. Editor, I remember her abhorrent words so well.
Editor, her party then went on to justify what she said about the political supporters of the PPP/C and questioned whether Indians are the only supporters of the PPP/C? What they have missed Editor, but the Indians have not, is the terminology “base”, meaning political base. It’s not lost on any Guyanese to appreciate that different political civilizations have different political bases, in some countries that base is divided based on religious beliefs, race, caste, social status, etc. In our beloved Guyana political bases are divided according to race, and even the youngest, most inexperienced voter in Guyana, could tell you what party gains most of the Indians support. We are not stupid, Amanza.
When she was confronted Editor by media representatives, she went on to use a bunch of PPP/C prevarications to justify her subliminal reference to Indians in this country.
Let me say to Ms. Walton-Desir, that Indians in this country need no lecture from her on the status of our education, our social welfare, our economic achievement, etc. Let me also say to this MP, that while it is not a loss on any of us that the Government gets the majority of its support from Indians, she must understand that Indians must not be part of her conversation when trying to score cheap political points. Debate on policies, not people’s race.
I have always lived in eternal hope that whatever nastiness or good we put out into the world, it will circulate right back to us. Yesterday, Ms. Walton-Desir seemingly took umbrage with a statement made by Minister Ramson. Editor, I will also say that I will not try to defend Minister Ramson because I am a member of the Indian community, and only when something hurtful or condescending is said against my race, will I ever be able to fully appreciate the pain and discomfort.
Nevertheless, she made mention of her great parentage, in response to Minister Ramson and I do not doubt that her parents must have served with distinction. But this isn’t about her parents, this is about her. How much of those good values did she grasp? How much did she sacrifice for political upliftment? One of my jobs as a behavioural scientist is to match people’s behaviour and make a reasonable deduction from their lives.
Do you think two accomplished public servants would teach their daughter such derogatory rants against another race? I think not. Editor, no one is born with ignorance, it is learned, it’s aided and abetted by others, our socializers. And the discomfort Ms. Walton-Desir is feeling now is what Indians felt a couple of months ago. However, we had to live with it. None of us got an apology, rather we were provided with political justifications because this lady seemingly believes Indians are associated with that party and that should suffice. I believe the question all MPs need to ask themselves now is what do you want people, not only your political loyalists, but everyone to think about you when you descend from political life?
Regards,
Dr. Swetha Parthinand
Behavioural Strategist
