The ‘Haitian’ paranoia is both ugly and needless

Dear Editor,

The ‘Haitian’ paranoia is both ugly and needless. I was appalled by the tone of a recent letter in one of the daily newspapers, which suggested a dark conspiracy stretching throughout the Caribbean to traffic Haitians into Guyana for nefarious purposes including “illegal voting at the upcoming polls”.

Hogwash and xenophobia rarely make a good combination, and it fails again in this anonymous missive.
Earlier this year, I, like many other Guyanese, was worried that our Haitian brothers and sisters were being trafficked and could/would be subjected to the ills that often accompany that illegal trade.

I spent countless hours talking to Haitians since, and have found assurance that while there is organised assistance, it is not abusive, but more symbiotic. Haitians are here mainly to transit onwards to Brazil.

Editor, some Haitians have become enamored with our country, its people and our warm, welcoming culture; they have applied for work permits and are often employed with good results and reviews.

Haitians may indeed vote in the upcoming elections; when they do, I am sure it will be for the party that promises progress and prosperity, and, importantly, can deliver on those promises, the PPP.

The Haitians did not leave their beloved homeland to punish under APNU/AFC, if they wanted poor, corrupt, dysfunctional governance, they would have stayed home.
Plus forts ensemble! Mes Amis.

Respectfully
Robin Singh