Perusing the APNU + AFC, North America support group brought me to some commentary by Bryan Benn Sr.
I am an ardent supporter of the APNU/AFC unity party and Mr. Benn professes to be a supporter too, but it is hard to imagine we support the same party for the same reasons based on some of the discourse on the group page.
Disagreement with someone on their political affiliation and ideology should not lead to the type of diatribe that is being spewed by Mr. Benn. The vitriol, anger and crass language is just disgusting from one who professes to be an “accomplished academic”. That his tirade in this particular instance is aimed at a female makes it only more disturbing.
Mr. Benn’s posted the following on the “APNU + AFC, North America support group” Facebook group. (Link to Conversation)
“Can anyone name any constructive or positive thing “THIS DESPICABLE PPP HOUSE NEGRO” Luncheon ever said or done for Guyana & the Guyanese people over the past 23 years?
BY WHAT AUTHORITY FOR THE LAST 22 YEARS THIS BEARDED IDIOT ROGER LUNCHEON DICTATES OVER “FREEDOM OF THE PRESS”, “FREEDOM OF THE AIR-WAVES” & “FREEDOM TO COMMUNICATE” for all the citizens of Guyana? Who does Luncheon speak for? Brigadier of the GDF Mark Phillips?”
In response to posts above, Nurse Yvettei said,
“You all say awful things all the time. Just vote for who you believe can improve the situation and leave the rest to God.”
Mr. Benn in turn unleashed a volley of admonishments that included,
“This is an APNU -AFC Democratic Coalition support group. Please get off our blog with your irrelevant and inappropriate comments which belongs to that PPP Message board. “
Benn went on to say:
“Me and my associates are accomplished academics and independent entrepreneurs in United States of America.
We really don’t need you around here, at no time, under any circumstances.
In fact, folks asking me why you folks are lurking around here with your ignorance.”
“Why an idiot loser who seems to be searching for recognition still talk trash around here?
I really don’t give a heck about what the hell you or anyone comment.
We run things here and you are tolerated at our pleasure. …just that. Get a life and find another blog to shoot your indelible nonsense.”
“You idiots just have nothing important or intelligent to say around here. …Keep your fu..ING Queen, her language and her men for yourself. I am a boss around here and you have no choice but to stick around and respond to our postings.
Remember, you are looking for some attention with yuh Queens language. Blasted idiot.”
The temptation to express the passion of our convictions can sometimes lead to a loss of civility, but we have to make a conscious effort to fight that temptation. We cannot and should not hide behind the platitude that my right is the only right and everyone else is wrong. How are we ever going to move ahead if we cannot find a path to disagreement that is constructive. We don’t have to agree all the time and in fact, you don’t want a series of yes-people and sycophants. We must be able to say “I don’t agree” without bullying and rhetoric clouding the issue. It is imperative we don’t become that which we abhor in others.
One would hope that the he APNU/AFC unity party distances themselves from this type of rhetoric; it is not conducive to a peaceful and harmonious Guyana that the party has been touting successfully during this campaign season.
