Dear Editor
Allow me to quote from T. Ogunseye’s letter published in the media in which he lauds the vibrancy of the judiciary of Guyana (3/1/2024). Here he is – “Justice Kissoon has entered the annals of our history as an enlightened Judicial luminary and a patriotic Guyanese willing to do the correct thing based on the rule of law and the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judiciary.” I ask that these words be remembered because I feel certain the next time a decision is given that he does not like, Ogunseye will jump up and holler racism, domination, oppression, and the slew of predictable catchwords for which he and his cohort are famous.
Stabroek News usually edits out the worse rhetorical excesses from letters especially if they are derisively provocative and contributes nothing to the quality of public discourse. Yet, in the same letter, SN allowed the following – “[i]n the context of our political and racial polarized society, Judge Kissoon whether or not he had intended it, has objectively struck a liberating blow in the defense of the “dignity” of the Indian community. As an African political and cultural activist, I move to put this observation in the public record – all Guyana stands proud.”
If this is not race-baiting I don’t know what is. The man (Ogunseye) takes a favourable ruling and racializes it. What does the ruling have to do with Indians and Africans? It does not mean that the Judge’s ruling should be understood in the language of racial division. Abominable. Unlike the PNC days, the judiciary in Guyana is still alive.
Sincerely,
Dr. Randy Persaud
