Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Nov 22, 2011 Letters
Dear Editor,
T. Pemberton’s letter (15/11/2011) referencing the absence of Chinese Guyanese in the political campaign profoundly brings to this nation’s attention an inconvenient truth.
Running from this issue or pretending it doesn’t exit will not wish it away since race matters in multi-racial societies.
It has been accepted this country has a minimum of six races and until such time everyone is assured that in spite of one’s race the playing field is level, the ruthless will continue to abuse the masses and pit groups against each other for their self-serving end, conflicts will escalate, forced migration will continue, peaceful co-existence and holistic development will remain elusive. This country must therefore pay attention and change course.
The United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 1, expressly states, “All peoples have the right of self-determination.
By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development.”
This right is enshrined in articles 147, 149 and 13 of the Guyana Constitution, guaranteeing the right to freedom of association, protection from discrimination on the ground of race, and participation in national decision-making that affect one’s well-being.
Social beings self-determination is pursued as a collective, through direct or indirect association.
In pursuit of same, no government, group or individual has the right to discriminate against anyone who exercises this right.
Race is not a proviso in our constitution to be appointed to and/or seek public office. However, it is a proviso for protection from discrimination.
The double-standards that exists in this society when it comes to this issue is of serious concern since race is respected, defended and admired as a unifier in families and communities, our primary institutions, but politics and being equal beneficiaries of the nation’s resources race is used, subtly and overtly, as a wedge in pursuit of power, maintaining power, and justifying exclusion/discrimination.
Rights operate simultaneously (side by side). They are non-negotiable and uncompromising. You do not give up a right in order to enjoy another right. To overcome race as a divisive issue, the society needs to accept, embrace and respect our diversity as outlined in universal rights and laws. An individual must be allowed to identify with his race with pride and confidence.
No race must be allowed to antagonise another or consider its group superior and pursue any effort to this end. No one must be excluded from enjoying their rights because the group does not hold the levers of power.
No one must be allowed to impose on you a member of your race as your representatives.
If persons choose to vote for someone of their race because they feel that individual can best represent their interests their right must be respected.
Similarly too if they chose to vote differently. What we need to be disrespecting and intolerant of, is any individual or group contemptuous of this right; uses this right to advance a superior and discriminatory agenda; shuts other races out from equitable access to our national resources, and denies them their rights.
The enshrined right to freedom of association must be respected simultaneously as the right to protection from being discriminated against on the ground of race.
The failure to respect these fundamental principles is where the conflict manifests in our society and this is where the problem has to be fixed and the national conversations, policies and laws centered around.
Our politicians and civil institutions need to articulate, fight for and ensure laws, programs and policies that will: a) respect the right to freedom of association, in conjunction with b) protection from being discriminated against for exercising this right.
The time has come too when we need to examine best practices of similar multi-racial societies, like the United Kingdom and U.S, where racial pride and respect are publicly nurtured.
In such environments the individual’s right to association is respected in electing their representative- based on race and in spite of race- to articulate and secure their well-being through the various branches of government.
The result is that it forges a relationship that honours one’s right and that of others and creates possibilities of working together for the collective good.
Lincoln Lewis
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]