I have watched the PLP Convention closely and I was shocked, appalled, embarrassed and downright disgusted at the hateful and racist comments, jeers and figurative language hurled at Brent Symonette (who, by the way, is the parliamentary representative of the area in which I live), and the FNM generally, from the lips of persons who want to be regarded as “leaders” of this nation.
People who are under 40 years old have no experience with the the UBP. For them that era is history.
When I was a boy, Brent Symonette’s father was, as I recall, the member of parliament for Centreville/Collins Avenue/Shirley Heights, and he was a representative of the highest order, as I recall, and much of “a father” to families in his constituency, black and white, including my family living on Mount Roval Avenue. He was quite unlike representatives and would-be representative after him, who would go to St George’s Church to pray every time election was approcahing and be photographed there, or others known for antics such as physically falling upon their knees before elderly families begging for votes, and then disappearing until next election time.
The PLP party owes Brent Symonette a very public and official apology, quite aside from politics.
I have lost respect for each and every speaker who showed what was truly within their heart by stirring up the community in racial hatred. I am only one person, I know that. I also lost much of the message of their achievements and their plans. They do as others did before them, and, perhaps, will receive the same reward.
God is not a “poppy show”. On the one hand, the Hon. Deputy Prime Minister is trying to show the nation a better way — a way of love, indeed the Jesus way. Various of her colleagues are full of the devil, and show it on national radio and television, by the fruit of their lips. Then they turn around and: criticise others, in other parties, etc, for being ungodly! My friends, God is not a “poppy-show”, and his workings are often mysterious (Romans 11:34-36).
In describing the PLP convention sessions, someone accurately said it – it was – just like old times. God help us!
DR ALBERT FERGUSON Nassau
