Stop the Guyanese bashing
GUEST EDITORIAL
Guyana Chronicle
May 24, 2004
THERE IS a very special ring about radio talk shows that keep us all buzzing with conversation. Interesting people make valid points which add considerably to public debate on issues of import.
But that is only half of the talk.
The other is diatribe. Pure and simple.
Unfortunately, we have to swallow the one with the other. We have to listen to much nonsense if we want to benefit from the comments of value.
The most recent example is the debate about the presence in Barbados of a large number of non-nationals, in particular people emanating from the Republic of Guyana. Estimates put the level at between 25,000 and 30,000.
People are screaming on the airwaves about it, and they sound pretty sick. Arguments that border on racism and the need to preserve our “race”; arguments about Guyanese taking away the jobs of Barbadians; arguments about the social and infrastructure cost of this excess population are but three of the most nonsensical.
This is not the first time that this debate has raged. The slightest public incident involving Guyanese or reference to the presence of Guyanese here gets the crazy-heads going on radio.
Few people want to admit that without the presence of Guyanese artisans the construction industry would be at a standstill because of a labour shortage.
Skilled men and women have made their way here and have made their mark because they bring to construction a sound work ethic and the ability to do some of the finest finishes.
Others have come here to escape the hardship of life in a country divided down the middle because of racial conflict masterminded by selfish politicians.
Others are a type of political refugees, and they fit into our country better than many others in this region because Guyanese and Barbadians have similar modest lifestyles and levels of social tolerance.
The majority of people who access the radio to talk have no appreciation of the fact that we in the Caribbean - particularly the English-speaking Caribbean - have a common history and a common destiny.
They are blind to the realities of a coming common market and want to ignore the fact that many years ago it was the Barbadians who benefited from the hospitality of other countries, absorbing our excess population.
It hurts to hear pygmies giving vent on air to their petty chatter and myopic thinking, unchecked and unchallenged. We now merely listen and wait for the time when the bar is lifted and the radio shows return to more inspiring, more sane debate. (Reprinted from the ‘Barbados Nation’ of Saturday, May 22, 2004)