Why are politicians busy discussing racial and derogatory issues?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

I am writing with reference to the letter, ‘Stop the racist remarks against Mark Golding, ‘ published in The Gleaner on June 28.

Mark Golding called the Jamaica Labour Party Chairman Robert Montague in 2021 a “likkle buoy” and “Minister of Scandal.” So, I believe a conversation about racist comment can start when Mark Golding apologize.

He made the comments during a recent (2021) address to Comrades in a meet-and-greet tour in sections of the island.

The Political Ombudsman ordered Golding to apologise and pay a donation to charity in Montague constituency by the December 20, 2021. “No apology needed, PNP says in response to Political Ombudsman,” on December 20, 2021, as reported by Radio Jamaica News.

“Likkle buoy” comment should not be hidden or ignored as if something never happened. Therefore, I believe at the general election the electorates should reject “likkle buoy” comments.

The comments were described as potentially having classist or racial overtones due to historical associations with the phrase “boy” in a post-colonial society. Hence the electorates do not want to go back to that society.

I believe Mark Golding is insensitive of slavery because he participated in a “slavery skit” in 2023, during a People’s National Parry (PNP) conference. In the skit, a man with a chain around his neck. representing “bondage” under current government, was introduced on-stage. He was shown on removing chains from a black man’s neck during a party a meeting at the weekend. A PNP official stated that Mark Golding had the “key to release him out of bondage” and Golding stood up and showed a key.

Minister Grange stated that the skit mirrored a painful period of Jamaican history, and that Golding’s behaviour was unacceptable at a time when descendants of enslaved people are demanding reparations.

There is no available information that Golding formally apologised. Many electors would be concerned that he does not feel their painful history when they were enslaved in chains and pulled away.

Political candidates must be sensitive at all times, and during a general election should try to address the concerns and priorities of the electorates to gain their votes, but it does not seem like the leaders of the JLP and PNP are even making an effort to gain their votes. They are discussing racial and derogatory issues.

CARGILL KELLY