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opinionAlso in this section:
Endara Hill, Father Gallego in his church and his community E. Jackson, Richardson's the best in a strong Democratic field Bernal, A disgraceful spectacle Sirias, A debt to a great teacher N. Jackson, Take back the night Silkwood, OAS Secretary General Insulza
CGID slams Guyanese politician for "Afro-Guyanese" terror comments by the Guyana Caribbean Institute of Democracy The Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) is blasting Queens Lawyer Albert Baldeo, a Guyanese-American, East Indian candidate for New York State Senate, for characterizing the Guyanese suspects in the JFK International Airport terror plot as "Afro-Guyanese." In an interview with Howard Koplowitz of the Times Ledger, which was published on June 7, Baldeo said that the Guyanese community in Queens are descendants of India, while the suspects are Afro-Guyanese, and added that "The disconnect is there, geographically and ethnically. There's a big religious disconnect, too." CGID president Rickford Burke, a Guyanese, is not amused by Baldeo's explosive commentary. Reacting strongly to the statements, Burke said Baldeo's remarks are widely viewed as divisive with serious racist undertones. "I consider them offensive and hostile to Afro-Guyanese," he fired back. The article quotes Baldeo as saying "the three Guyanese men implicated in the plot, alleged mastermind Russell Defreitas, Abdul Kadir and Abdel Nur, bear no resemblance to East Indians living in Queens. Baldeo also noted that "these individuals are not part of our community in Queens…. Richmond Hill and Ozone Park 's Guyanese community members are mostly Hindus, while the alleged plotters are Muslim. Most of Queens' Guyanese trace their roots to India , while the suspects are Afro-Guyanese." Emphasizing that one of the accused, Abdul Kadir, was a Mayor of the Town of Linden, of which 95 percent of the population is Afro-Guyanese, Baldeo referred to Linden as a "has-been town." In sharply rebuffing his statements, the Institute's President said Baldeo not only attacked all Afro-Guyanese but the town of Linden as well. He must therefore be held to account," he observed. Burke called on Baldeo to withdraw his comments and said that "Mr. Baldeo took pains to distinguish the ethnicity and race of the suspects, and in doing so implied that it could be justified to target Afro-Guyanese or blacks because the suspects are of that ethnicity. These types of ludicrous comments usually reflect a congenital mindset. These statements speak to character and sagacity, and should give the residents of Queen great pause," Burke contended. "No responsible leader with a sense of dignity and judiciousness will utter such incendiary, insensitive comments, especially in an environment in which this discussion is seized, Burke stressed. He said that although it appears that the accused seem to be of diminished mental capacity and seem to lack the sophistication and capability to execute their plot, the alleged conspiracy is an evil crime that require severe consequences if proven." "Their conduct has disgraced all Guyanese as well as the people of the Caribbean, regardless of the demographics of race, ethnicity or religion. These dynamics are completely irrelevant and their injection into this discussion is repugnant," he argued. "Our responsibility is to unite as Guyanese and as Caribbean-Americans and condemned this conspiracy as well as the employment of terrorism to achieve political goals. Terrorists do not ask for ethnicity before striking a target. They hit anyone or anything associated with the US," Burke added. "Mr. Baldeo did not comment on the ethnicity or race of the suspects when US law enforcement officials unearthed several drug smuggling rings, allegedly engaged in the importation of cocaine into the US from Guyana through JFK Airport. These allegedly criminal enterprises emanate in the very community in Queens of which Mr. Baldeo speaks." Did Mr. Baldeo tell the press that Roger Khan, the apparent Al Capone of Georgetown, alleged drug baron and alleged leader of the "Phanthom Death Squad," a bloody gang involved in murder for hire, who is current in US custody, is a Guyanese, East Indian Muslim? Did Baldeo inform the Times Ledger that Adnan G. El Shukrijumah, a non Afro-Guyanese Muslim, who bears a Guyanese passport, is wanted for terrorist threats against the United States, and for whom the FBI is offering a $5 million dollar reward for information leading his capture?" May be the reason he did not mention these facts is that he conveniently thinks that ethnicity or race is not relevant under the circumstances. This justifies our position that one cannot use the alleged criminal conduct of a few to smear or condemn an entire people or ethnicity. This is what Mr. Baldeo did. In doing so, he has sown the seeds of divisive politics and has left serious questions about his ability to be an elected leader," Burke said.
Also in this section:
Endara Hill, Father Gallego in his church and his community E. Jackson, Richardson's the best in a strong Democratic field Bernal, A disgraceful spectacle Sirias, A debt to a great teacher N. Jackson, Take back the night Silkwood, OAS Secretary General Insulza Unclassified Ads | Calendar | Outdoors | Dining | Science | Sports | Español | Front Page Archives | Wappin' Radio Show | Just Music
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