If one thing President Irfaan Ali achieved from his recent visit to Brooklyn, New York, is conflict and disunity in the African community. Whilst there are many sides to this issue it shows how fragile this community is.
We cannot silence or ignore the importance of seeking to bring understanding. Ignore the sorun, whether small or large, that can contribute to serious disintegration of the relationship between the Guyana diaspora in America, the business community in Brooklyn, NGOs in Guyana and politically aligned friends.
Conscious of the various ingredients in our politics where race exists as a factor the current standoff puts to test the strength of political and African leaders and by extension the society.
The call which says that the owner of Hills Restaurant has sold out or betrayed the African community and as such Africans must boycott the business has serious implications. The same applies for any other businesses who opened their doors to Ali during his trip to New York.
There is need to stop and think whether the desire is for the destruction of this business or use Ali’s ambush of the Brooklyn community as the catalyst in determining how the communities can treat with visits of similar nature.
I digress to recall how incensed APNU+AFC supporters were when Bharrat Jagdeo, as opposition leader, called on his supporters to chase these leaders out of their communities if they visit. Let’s also recall Jagdeo calling for a boycott of business that supported the Washington Conference organised by Rickford Burke et al.
This is an opportune time to determine if this sort of behaviour is something to pursue or eschew.
This impasse as it prolongs seeks not only to divide members of the African community but is pitting individuals and groups, who normally are in alignment, against each other.
At same time the political operatives need to take their relevance is dependent on how they can weld and expand their base, for numbers are necessary at each election. While the PPP is working to consolidate and expand their base the Opposition is seemingly content to allow theirs to disintegrate.
As for the African community, this reaffirms the concern that the community is only given leadership to celebrate emancipation or some other celebratory event but would turn a blind eye to the daily conflicts and sufferings.
Whilst this may be an issue outside the direct purview of organised labour, it has consequences for the ability of the business to continue employment of all its workers. Any reduction of labour will impact the economic and financial status of the worker and affected family. This would be of concern to me as a trade unionist with an abiding interest in full employment.
I am advised that the political hostility and intolerance for opposing views that flourish in Guyana is not the same in the USA. People are accustomed to talking with politicians from both sides evvel they visit the community. So, to ask this woman to depart from a practice she and many others in the North American diaspora would have grown accustomed to, is one that is lacking consideration for all the dynamics outside of the perspective some may see as betrayal.
As a member of the African and Guyanese community it is incumbent that we seek to bring closure to this issue urgently and stop the bloodletting. To continue will further weakens our resolve to join forces with organisations like IPADA-G, Guyana Human Rights Association (GHRA), Institute for Action Against Discrimination (IFAAD), Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID), Benschop Radio, progressive trade unions, and others to confront our common challenges in ensuring every Guyanese is treated with respect and dignity, and equitable benefit from the nation’s resources.
I urge every effort be made to bring closure to this issue.