President-Elect Donald Trump and Guyanese hypocrisy

Nov 16, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor,
Since the news that stunned the world on Trump’s victory, we have been bombarded with various opinions all lamenting the poor qualities of the victor and the people who voted for him, but how can millions just be dismissed and labeled as racist, redneck and uneducated? Trump supporters are real people with fears and concerns just like the ones on the other side. I cannot help drawing parallels to our own society and the hypocrisy which prevails.
What percentage of the American population has a college degree and well-paying job? The economic concerns of the disenchanted that were laid off or became unemployed due to outsourcing and other factors are not unimportant or irrelevant. On Election Day the beggar, billionaire, high school dropouts, college graduate, black, brown, white etc. are given equality and have equal power. What percentage of the Guyanese population graduated from UG and is still in Guyana contributing to our society? In each election, the people of Guyana elect and they choose not just the crème de la crème.
The issue of immigration especially illegal immigration has brought out allegations of racism and nativism. Since the era of ‘back-track’ Guyanese have been breaking immigration laws and thousands live in the USA illegally. Many were eventually able to become citizens yet our treatment of the few who enter through our porous borders without presenting themselves to an immigration officer, the visa over stayers and ‘refugees’ is appalling! These people, most of whom were not involved in any criminal activities apart from the visa issue are hauled before our courts, fined, face the prospect of being imprisoned, humiliated and deported.
What percentage of the American population was brought up in a multi-cultural diverse environment? Even Guyanese try to live near to each other in NYC because of shared identity, values, culture etc; a good example is Richmond Hill. There are many racially homogenous countries especially in Asia that have not attracted the label of racist although they steadfastly refuse to accept others who are different through strict immigration laws and controls.
The immigration concerns of the Trump supporters are nothing unique so instead of being called racists, the leaders of the people need to listen to all, formulate policies that take into account the concerns of the various demographic groups, compromise and try to reach a middle ground that is in the interest of the country as a whole. How can the liberal politicians expect the support of the people if they just call them ‘rednecks and racists’? What this does is alienate and divide quite the opposite effect of unity which is desired. I consider the term ‘redneck’ to be very distasteful and in the same group as the ‘N’ word.
I have noticed Guyanese even calling Trump supporters through letters ‘rednecks’; I hope the media discontinues using this term as it will only inflame hate and divide due to the negative connotations associated with it. Just imagine being grouped as an uneducated redneck because of your political views, rural living and skin colour; where is the empathy? I am so elated that Guyanese can “objectively” assess what is happening in the USA and point out everything that is wrong with Mr. Trump, his voters and country so please with the same objectivity look at the Guyanese situation not through race, politics and prejudices but with the outsider’s eyes.
Sexism should always be condemned but what surprised me was the rapidity and anger with which Guyanese pointed out every misogynistic comment made by Mr. Trump when sexism here is far more glaring, crude and widespread. A former First Lady made some very earth shattering allegations against a past president yet this man remains one of the most, if not the most popular politician in his party among his supporters. Was there any noticeable outrage in this country? Our first female president was treated with such disdain and repugnance that the images of people burning ‘white dollies’ are still with me. These are just a few among hundreds of examples.
Racism is so deeply woven into the fabric of our society that for us to condemn another country would be like the ‘pot calling the kettle black’. A large part of our voting population vote purely based on the fact that their candidate is of the same ethnic group without consideration for the policies and character of the person. There is very little objectivity; any opinion which is contrary instead of being debated and rationalized is met with cries of racism and being PPP/C or APNU/AFC.
Corruption is entrenched and condoned. The expectation of having to pay a bribe and/or secure connections to get the most basic of services is part of our daily life. How many ‘corrupt politicians, police officers, contractors and other bigwigs have we actually jailed? Everything is power and money. The two tier class divide here is far greater than that which prevails in any ‘developed nation’. The little fish is made the scapegoat and representative where the law is concerned.
Guyanese, especially those who have the power and means to better our society should stop the hypocrisy and blindness and focus on our development. Don’t you feel embarrassed to criticize foreigners when everything that is highlighted to be wrong in other countries is amplified here? I fully understand that due to the large population of Guyanese living in the USA we have every right to be interested, give opinions and criticize. However, what I do not understand is how we can do so with such blatant hypocrisy and unwillingness to better our own country and people while we judge others.
Guyanese observer

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