00:00Sociologist and political analyst Dr. M. Wale Henry tells the Morning Edition that political
00:06leaders must recognize the influence their words carry, warning that rhetoric is capable
00:13of deepening ethnic tensions and only weakens national unity.
00:19If you examine the ABC records, there has been a declining participation in the voting
00:25experience. If this trend continues, then you might definitely have a minority of the society
00:33electing a prime minister or populating the parliament. So it is an indication in some
00:40shape or form that the society itself is tired of that rhetoric in itself.
00:47Dr. Henry says the country must move beyond inherited prejudices and outdated ethnic thinking,
00:54arguing that genuine progress demands a more mature, inclusive national conversation.
01:01What will solve those racial tensions? We have to move away from sexism, genderism, you know,
01:08female leader, black leader, Indian leader to normal, competent leader. And who is that more
01:14competent leader that will lead society?
01:17He adds that lingering questions over equity, including concerns surrounding the programs
01:23such as CPEP, underscores the need for greater fairness, accountability and leadership.
01:30The prime minister has indicated this is a new form of, you know, gang busting, dealing with
01:35ghost gangs, et cetera. But the replacement, you know, does not compare with those who require
01:42to be lifted up. So from that perspective, there has been an unequal distribution of those who are
01:49affected from the local government perspective. And if you it's in the numbers, Nicole M Romany, TV6 News.
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