Dear Editor,
Recently there has been a spate of letters going back and forth on what the PPP did or did not do in the bauxite industry. As a man in the street who kept at least one eye on the inter-workings of our politics, I would say that no one has dealt with the underlying political games being played nor addressed the social rivalry which dominates these matters.
Every time these discussions erupt, to me it is like, “Blaa… Blaa… Blaa… Here we go again.” A lot of running on the spot, getting nowhere. For too long our intellectuals are using the same approach expecting to get different results. The question being asked now is, ‘What has the PPP done for Linden in the last 17 years?’ To give some balance, the follow up question should be, What has the PNC done for its supporters and what have the supporters done for themselves? With respect to the African Cultural Development Association (ACDA), I am still waiting to see the development of Africans during the same period.
In the 80s, at the height of the PNC regime, many qualified individuals ran away from Linden. The problems in Linden began long before ’92. After the successes of ’92, when a lot of Africans sat out the elections because of their frustration with the PNC, the PPP knew that to win free and fair again they would have to bring in some Africans.
The bauxite industry was teetering on the brink of total collapse. Mr Kim Kissoon was sent to see if he could make an impact. President Jagdeo later embarked on an investment campaign for Region 10 with statements like, “Duty free concessions for all investments in the region.” Allocations were going to the Linden treasury for developmental works but hardly any advantage of the opportunities was taken. Why were officials in Linden allowing money to go back to the treasury unused?
I have come to the conclusion that protesting and blaming government and all that, while face-saving propaganda for the opposition, do not and will not change conditions. Africans must take it upon themselves to make a change before they are taken seriously. For that reason I do not think that government believes that it needs to give any special assistance to Africans. Africans were the first to get here and controlled most of the lands after slavery. We were the carpenters, joiners, masons, agriculturists, loggers, miners, and balata bleeders; the midwives, nurses, head teachers, the first traders and even the pioneer drug-pushers. Indians occupied two areas – the sugar industry and the rice fields.
Nowadays if you ask someone in Guyana to recommend a good mason or carpenter note whose name pops up. Over the years, Africans did most of the heavy lifting in the mining industry and earned a lot of money, but today, other than the Brazilians, who has the largest investment in the industry?
While some are blaming the government for not being there for bauxite workers, the Guyana Forestry Commission last Wednesday presented land titles to four community forestry organizations, which serve communities that depend on forestry products – communities affected by the failing bauxite industry. This is huge. African communities in Region 10 now have legitimate rights to engage in sustainable lumber production, which has the potential of outdoing the sugar and rice industry combined.
This is not because of recent raised voices. It was 10 years in the making. The GFC in 2001 took away my concession along with some others in the Ituni area to make way for this deal. But given our track record in past endeavours, can we take this gift and make a success with it? Can we get idle bodies on the coast to take up residence in Region 10 and attach themselves to this new lease on life?
Earlier I asked, ‘What has the PNC done for its supporters and what have the supporters done for themselves?’ Consider one example. On a consistent basis up to 2001, when I left Guyana, Ituni was responsible for more than 40% of the chainsaw lumber on the local market. Yet, the living conditions in the village are poor and the majority of buildings shabby and run-down. The problem? Even though the people have the ability and skill for lumber manufacturing they lack the financial know-how and discipline to convert their income into prosperity.
Again, I must stress, Africans must re-take control of their destiny. Political power does not necessarily factor into this. Using Ituni again as an example, they produce the lumber but do not set the prices. They sell their produce at rock-bottom prices to lumber yards in and around Georgetown. Why don’t they have bargaining power, which will ensure reasonable returns? These loggers need professional guidance and education from the same intellectuals who are complaining.
ACDA may think that I am harsh with them, but they are still well positioned to contribute meaningfully. They have to get up and go into the communities; find out where they can contribute; re-establish African awareness, self-development and brotherly love. They must point out the futility of crime, teach other ways to be productive and explain the philosophy of financial development.
Work with the police instead of against them to bring down the incidence of crime. Emphasize the need of maintaining a relative crime-free environment, which would lead to potential investors feeling safe to invest. Work on establishing partnerships with potential investors and identify persons and possible business ventures in the communities. And last but not the least, establish a Chamber of Commerce.
Social activism is needed now more than political activism. Let the politicians do what they do best, but not at the expense of community development. I have no intention of dictating to persons like Mr Benschop and Mr Lewis, but they can certainly contribute to social activism. Indeed Mr Benschop has already begun, but he must remain focused on the social aspect of his activism.
There is a lot of work to be done. It may be hard but it can be accomplished. It can begin with a prominent African Guyanese standing up and addressing the community, “Let’s work together, and make a fresh start. Let’s approach this differently. Let’s work vigorously to curb crime, let’s lay the foundation for our development, let’s…” This is something I believe Ms Violet Baptiste can pull off. It’s about going back to the basics.
Yours faithfully,
F Skinner
We buy into the govt accussation that monies allocated to region 10 is not being used and is sent back to the treasury not understanding how the system works. The REO is appointed by the minister. The RDC makes the plans. The central govt says if they will fund it. The REO is the accounting officer for the region as such he has responsibility for the execution of the projects. While he/she serves as clerk of council the council cannot discipline the REO for any act. The govt has consistently sent someone to region 10 who they are satisfied will not cooperate with the RDC.
Bravo Mr. Skinner, I agree with the overall thrust of your letter regarding social activism. The points you raise in the selected quotes are valid and speak the truth to an audience that seems to be unwilling to listen.
“Again, I must stress, Africans must re-take control of their destiny…Africans must take it upon themselves to make a change before they are taken seriously…What has the PNC done for its supporters and what have the supporters done for themselves? They must point out the futility of crime, teach other ways to be productive and explain the philosophy of financial development.”
I do however disagree with you when you state “Social activism is needed now more than political activism” I think both are needed and the same audience to which you are speaking need to see the AFC as a viable alternative to the PNC and PPP; the two parties that have gotten Guyana to the place where it is today.
Stokes, This letter is not to disregard political activism, rather it is to emphasise that there is little or no social activism. The politicians have been at it since ‘97 with nothing to show except a mountain of dead.
Mark Benshop is the only noticable social activist with his foundation, but I fear his mixing it up and the sometime misunderstanding of which category he is in.
Wow!! This is an honest piece from someone who seems to be speaking from the heart. His message is old but still very relevant “Again, I must stress, Africans must re-take control of their destiny.”
The essence of the political struggle among many (not all) of the various afro-centric groups is to take back political power from the PPP by any means. I belive that Mr. Skinner is suggesting, in a subtle way,that that can be done by focusing on accumulating economic power and pride in the african community. Political power will follow if you can show leadership supported by economic power. If the African community was to put its vast weight behind the AFC they acan accelerate getting back political power. (Lets face it a vote for the PNC is a wasted vote.) Afro-Guyanese should commandeer the AFC as a temporary vehicle to retake government.
Excellent piece Mr. Skinner. This was the same message that MLK preached and later progressive minds in the world were to promote.
Folks always blame the upper echelons of the PNC for failures in African progressiveness however I feel matters are more deeply rooted as indeed Mr Skinner has brilliantly pointed out. What benefit is it for the PNC to aspire to harm their core voters’ interests.
The devil is in the detail, and even if Mr Corben himself were to go into each and every community he may not make the difference because the fabric of the family is simply not there to encourage self-development.
This is becoming glaringly true in Indian communities too and it may appear to be clichéd, however only the good actions of priests and such-like will be able to make a difference to the new generations of both black and brown Guyanese.
Well-meaning leaders in all communities must indeed stress the futility of crime and teach other ways to be productive. Indeed, as Mr Skinner, so skilfully put it, …’to work with the police instead of against them to bring down the incidence of crime.’
Mr Benschop, in this regard; has a lot to learn.
Truth, what message Martin Luther King preached that is similar to Skinner? For staters Martin was both a social and political activist. He advocated for African self-empowerment and used relgion activism similar to that of Jesus. King was involved in political activsim to effect a change to have the status quo jugde people by the content of their character not by the colour of their skin. He broke the laws to do so…remember the Freedom Riders, the Montgomery March,Selma March and sit in at lunch counters, He NEVER told African Americans who they should and should not vote for. He was never that contemptuous of the African intellectual ability to cast his ballot based on his belief and on which party or candidate he thinks would serve the voter’s best interest.
No denying Africans need to continue to evaluate their conditions and fight for their rights but the carte blanche observation lacks credibilty. It clearly shows a lack of understanding of the role of Government as pointed out by Bishop, neither is there an understanding that the back and forth of letters on the bauxite industry was elucidating for many, to name a few mis-representation. From the letter sit was clearly evident the bauxite workers made several efforts at protecting their jobs even wanting to do workers’ buy-out and made efforts at protecting their pensions which the Government destroyed.
As Skinner condemns African he also pointed to his own economic failure in his forestry. As he points one figure, at least three point back at him. Having expereince this economic failure it would have help had he what caused him to be a failure and share his failed experiences to help others avoid the same mistakes
SOJOUR TRUTH, Two main things about this quote, “As Skinner condemns African he also pointed to his own economic failure in his forestry. As he points one figure, at least three point back at him. Having expereince this economic failure it would have help had he what caused him to be a failure and share his failed experiences to help others avoid the same mistakes”.
1/ Where did I condemn Africans? I pointed out flaws that need fixing. 2/ What make you think that I failed in the forestry industry? GFC allocated lands to me in another area. It was a switch to accomodate the Ituni loggers. I left Guyana with duty free concessions for investments in region 10 and I’m poised to do just that.
And stop making excuses about the roll of government. Many people made strides when their party was not in power.
Truth….I must remind you about slavery. This is the left overs from slavery. Please examin this discusion and you will see.
This thing must stop and we need to re-educate ourself. Some of us don’t know who we are, muchless to be defining others.
I would like all them who talking about Black and Resistance, and empowerment please go and read the book From the Nile Valley to the New World (New Dimention in African History).
Read chapter the Africans in the Americas by Dr.John Henrik Clarke, quote “When a people arenot too sure about who they are loyal to and what their commitments are they represent a danger within the cultural mainstream of their society”
This is what the Europeans did , especially to the Africans in North America, South America, and the Caribbean.
Please guys read this book and you and you will end the washing up in public.
God help all those who help themselves. There is a lot to be done socially. Definately more social activism will make our country a better place. Mr fisher is a gentleman ans a scholar.
Well penned letter mr. skinner, now let us see you take the first step and bring words to power, i am all for it.
Africans and Indians have to work together for a better Guyana. A house divided will never stand.
…fuss is african ,,, now is indians too ! and de SN/moderator/AXER indulgin yuhal wid alyuh dotishnis ,, so much so dat each time i talk abt the stupidity of addressing yuhself as african SN/moderator/AXER mekin fishfood wid meh comment as if ‘e scared dem africans gon put ‘e in de cauldron an mek ‘e the Editor in de chief !!!! ,, as if yuh barn in africa ,, i’m of indian ancestry ,, but i’m DAMN sure nat an indian ! nor would i want to be ! if which eva 1 ah yuhal is african ,, yuhal need to get back pon de boat ,, an staat paddlin ,, caz come 2011 ,, if yuh still identifyin yuhself as african den u will be deported !….
Mr. Skinner, and I address you as Mr. with reverence and respect. Where have you been as the children of Koffi wandered in the wilderness of Guyana? Your voice is needed; your leadership is needed. There is no progressive leadership in the black Guyanese community. Those who occupy positions of power are self centered. They are quick to tell you about their association with “Mr.this or Mr.that” and not that these associations could further the interests of black Guyanese,but they minimize the relevance of black community experience and life. Even in New York, the discussions of black Guyanese center on parties and women. My Indo-Guyanese brothers however, tell me about the properties they own and the businesses they are thinking about getting involved in. Mr. Skinner get involved. ISNM
Ulric! What is it yu drinking do know that its black Guyanes that made the opening for your Indo Brothers and Sisters….not all partying or if the partying they are well engage with higher education.
Do you know how many Guyanese Blacks do exist right under your nose not BS and BA but MS, MA, Phd MD, PhD ME, PhD EE, PhD SS……I can go on and on to full thi page.
Let continue to make a joyfull noise and continue to guide our brothers and sisters home quietly we will win…….all they have to do is stap buying and start planting, and Black out XMAS.
Good letter Mr. Skinner. But where were you when the African Renaissance was written 4 years ago…did you support it or did you like many Indian writers and political propogandists claim it was anti Indian…remember these statements
THE AFRICAN RENAISSANCE
“It is very clear that the Westminster model of governance only enslaves Africans in Guyana. The African Renaissance is about equality, equity, economic prosperity, social renewal, mutual respect and peace. It is about educating Guyanese and Africans so that they understand that without “shared governance”, the country will not achieve its true potential and will never be at peace with itself”
Eric. M. Phillips
AFRICAN RENAISSANCE IMPERATIVES
We build together, we share together, we are one.
Shared governance is a fundamental “human right” of Africans in Guyana.
Stimulate cultural pride and the courage to prevail against all odds.
Nurture a commitment to self determination through self employment.
A commitment to tackling the scourge of HIV/AIDS
The economic, social, cultural and political re-vitalization of our villages
Recapture the importance of a sound education as a basis for economic sustainability.
Nurture and create Youth leaders committed to self determination, self employment, respect for all cultures, justice, equity and the rule of law.
Bring all African organizations and all African Leaders together.
The African intelligentsia must immerse itself in the struggle to end poverty, ignorance and backwardness
African Guyanese to take control of their own destiny …..economically, politically, socially, psychologically and culturally.
POLITICAL IMPERATIVES
Shared governance as the only system under which Africans will go to another election in Guyana.
The winner-take-all Westminster model is a continuation of the MAAFA or African Holocaust
Shared governance is about justice, political peace, racial equality, equity, honesty, economic prosperity, social renewal and mutual respect.
Understanding the “conspiracy of guilt” that has been used by the media and racial entrepreneurs to perpetuate the Westminster model and to confuse Africans and African institutions such as the Christian Church
The Church to become more socially active and to break the “complicity of silence” about an unjust system and government
No taxation without representation.
Africans will never go to another election under the pernicious Westminster model
ECONOMIC IMPERATIVES
A full understanding that shared governance is a fundamental Human Right of Africans in Guyana and good governance a sine qua non for economic growth.
Africans recognizing that economic power leads to political power but the reverse is not necessarily so.
The formation of an African Business Council of Guyana’s best and brightest African economists/businessmen to develop sustainable strategies for African economic growth and African village revitalization and resuscitation.
The pursuit of a financial architecture that would provide capital for viable African businesses.
The recognition that land is in our “ancestral souls” and given the enormous price we paid during slavery, we must go back to the soil. Even if just to feed ourselves but more importantly, agriculture has to be a strategic industry for Guyana
Africans must create more businesses that serve the needs of African communities. This can be done jointly with other Africans or other cultural collectives
Africans need to pool together to create more small businesses that create more employment..
PSYCHOLOGICAL IMPERATIVES
Guyana needs a different political paradigm for its successful transformation. Such a paradigm is shared governance
Indians do not want an African to rule Guyana
Africans need to know themselves and know who are their enemies.
All African organizations and leaders need to start educating Africans.
Africans need to be aware that phantom writers, advocacy journalists, false prophets, commercial and racial entrepreneurs are waging a daily and savage psychological war against Africans in Guyana.
Shared governance is a necessary perquisite for a peaceful multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural plural democracy.
SOCIAL IMPERATIVES
Africans have to address the key issues of functional illiteracy and refocus on education as a desired value.
Address the issue of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in our communities using culture as a strength.
Create meaningful jobs in our communities
Fight crime in our communities
The Church to become more socially active in our communities
Internalize that shared governance is their fundamental human right and a fundamental constitutional right for Africans in Guyana.
CULTURAL IMPERATIVES
Culture is identity. Culture is life. Culture is self knowledge. Culture is self development. Culture is key to the African Renaissance in Guyana. Culture is the key to economic development in Guyana.
Culture is about shared patterns of identity, symbolic meaning, aspirations and about the relationships between individuals and groups within that society
Africans need to not feel inferior to any other culture in Guyana regardless of the psychological war that is being waged
Africans need to recognize that their culture is very rich and diverse and that Africans are not from a slave culture although our language, names, religions, family ties, lands and dignity were taken away from us during a 400 year “genocidal crime wave against our humanity called “slavery”.
Our cultural motto is “we build together, we share together, we are one”. This is the essence of shared governance.
Africans should respect their own cultural roots as well as the cultures of other collectives
INTERNATIONAL IMPERATIVES
Politically, African Guyanese in the Diaspora need to advocate for shared governance in every possible political environment they are in. Whether it is with local politicians, Congressmen or Senators, or the Congressional Black Caucus or British and Canadian Parliamentarians, this advocacy should be relentless.
Africans in the Guyanese Diaspora should internalize that shared governance is a fundamental human right in Guyana and that no true African leader or no true progressive Guyanese leader who wants equity and peace will subject Africans and all other cultures to the destructive and pernicious winner-take-all Westminster model
Economically, Africans in the Guyana Diaspora need to work with the African Business Forum to create economic activities for Africans so that self employment can become a reality
Socially, Africans in the Diaspora need to support our efforts in literacy and education, HIV/AIDS, job creation to address issues of poverty, hopelessness and crime
Culturally, there is much Africans in the Diaspora can do. They can let their relatives and others know that they are not from an inferior culture, or from a slave culture. African culture although our language, names, religions, family ties, lands and dignity were taken away from us during a 400 year “genocidal crime wave against our humanity called “slavery”. For the African Renaissance to have sustainability, Africans in Guyana need to be connected to the wider African Diaspora
Eric, excellent reminder, but were you asleep in our community, or are you one of “dem boys” awake only to say “ah tell you so” then go to sleep again. ISNM
Perfect Raj. In Guyana you have only political activism at the expense of the communities.
No offence Mr. Phillips,but did this letter caused you to have a touch of conscience? 4 years with the blue prints of the “Renaaissance” but still nothing to show. When do you think you would have some shared governance before the show goes onto the road?
Reread the letter, read between the lines. Move with the other aspect of your plan and Governance may/will follow. Unless governance is your ultimatum. I hate to tell you this, my friend, but the PPP will not go down the route of shared governance.
So what is it going to be? All or nothing? Three years has passed since you promised the “February” deadline to have/initiate massive investments in the communities. It’s not too late to step on it.
About your “INTERNATIONAL IMPERATIVES”. You are making this too complicated. You are pouring on too much stuff, creating too thick a jungle to navigate. Or is it that you are making it look too difficult to be done?
Make it simple. Start with setting up ACDA groups in all the communities. Have weekly meetings where intelluctuals find out the problems and do lectures, teach, etc. Find out the projects, solicit foreign investors.
All the African lands in Berbice which need titles. Where is the effort to pool the legal resourses in GT to get this taken care of. Getting the land titles set up the potential of joint ventures. Come on. I’m not running ACDA.
Social activism and political activism go hand in hand. Politics is about people and society and people in society are not abstract, they rely on political processes for their life,liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Politics influence life from the womb to the tomb, from the cradle to the grave. It takes social activism to influence political decisions. E.g. One, the case of the Mothers in Black in Guyana relentless campaign to get drivers to wear seatbelts. In order to make the wearing of seatbelts a law it required many many Fridays of social activism in front of Parliament for many many months. This paid off to political activism that resulted in a Bill in Parliament and the seatbelt Law. Two, in the US years and years of social activism for civil rights influenced the political activism, the Congress bringing a Bill to the floor and the President signing into law the Civil Rights Act.
Raj! Good job, the voice of a social science teacher SOC 101
Well said Sky. Time to atone. Lets unite to fight the real enemy.
I say the same thing we very good at tearing down each other but building up ia always a problem….we need to do the washing inside and not outside. Flatty good taught.