Dear Editor,
The issue of race should not be a taboo subject, but must be discussed openly if Guyana is to progress according to UK based Guyanese Professor Clem Seecharran as reported in GT of February 23. “We live in multi-caste, multi-religious, multi-ethnic societies and it is important that we have ongoing dialogue.
If you want people to live and share with you, to create a nation, then we must do this [open dialogue],” was the central theme of his lecture as part of the culture ministry-sponsored Republic of Guyana’s Distinguished Lecture Series. Professor Seecharran reportedly advanced the idea of a more open dialogue on the issue of race differences, particularly between Indians and Africans. He said topics such as mutual prejudice between races and possible solutions to these issues can be found in discourse in such multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies like Guyana for it to progress. “If we are not secure in our identity and race, then we will not be friendly to others who do not look like ourselves. Our country consciousness is slow but our race consciousness is quick. We need to become Guyanese conscious and not race conscious,” he reiterated. “If you have mutual respect and love for each other, then only then we will become Guyanese and not Indians or Africans,” he said.
With such an open invitation to enter the race minefield with all its sensitive issues it would require either a head on meeting of the minds or continue, as is often the case, to ignore and sidestep it to remain taboo. What Professor Seecharran’s challenge has actually done is to unintentionally expose why race has definitely been more of a lecture of entitlements, not taboo for some, instead of a necessary engaging and responsive conversation.
Most rational decent-minded people would agree and sympathize with Professor Seecharran’s wisdom advocating dialogue. For any respected Guyanese academic to finally acknowledge race has seriously handicapped Guyana’s progress and to now advance it up the national agenda for
resolution is most commendable. In anguish over the fate of Guyana, well known musician Mr Dave Martins writing in the SN of February 23 was also similarly concerned to openly lament what unresolved race problems could mean for the country’s tranquillity and survival. Both distinguished patriots are prominent in their own fields and seek to make a positive difference.
While only fools rush in where angels fear to tread, both Professor Seecharran and Mr Martins, are certainly not foolish. Both are due significant credit for their bravery after earlier race infused enthusiasts ruled supreme and skewered the debate.
Refreshing conversations should definitely decide whether partition’s separating divisiveness, temporary power sharing or federalism where Guyana remains united is the best way to go.
Would religion, a more responsive education curriculum, exposure and awareness to each other’s cultural beliefs and not emphasis on economics alone make a difference? Addiction to wield power seldom abates when political viagra is a handy aid. Was Mr Forbes Burnham’s post 1953 ambition to supplant Dr Cheddi Jagan as PPP leader the singular cause for racial friction between Indians and Africans? It depends on your perspective, not forgetting many prominent PPP Indians went with him. While the PNC leader’s ambition may have gotten the better of him, his Machiavellian prowess allowed him and the PNC to be all things to all people and to their credit retain power for 28 years. Mr Burnham forged an African-Portuguese coalition between the PNC and the Portuguese led United Force in 1964. When the UF had served its purpose the PNC flushed them away just before the 1968 rigged elections with Mr CML John as their Home Affairs Minister capturing all the spoils. His job done Mr John lost his PNC membership. Did it seriously impact or make a difference in African-Portuguese race relations? Stripped of their political clout the majority of Guyana’s Portuguese population permanently left Guyana in disgust. Now compare the WPA hubbub where they felt cheated after the 1992 elections even when it is not seen as divine retribution for the PNC’s original sins.
The recent harassment of a Georgetown Chinese establishment by a crowd led by Mr Mark Benschop after the store owner reportedly caught and punished a child hiding under her bed above the store caused African-Chinese tensions unheard of in Guyana’s history.
Exclusive Chinese construction of the rapid rising Marriott Hotel has earned enough backlashes despite the subsidiary Guyanese industries which feed the project. By contrast African hostilities against Indians have continued especially during elections prior to 2006.
How do these and other acrimonious encounters and mutually aroused fears become permanently resolved? No country with similar problems has so far found the magic formula. The professor’s suggestion for all races especially Indians and Africans to actively pursue dialogue for better
relationships can move Guyana from a sovereign state to a nation where everyone considers themselves Guyanese. Has the cat been belled or are Guyanese more likely to get many cats but with different colours?
Yours faithfully,
Sultan Mohamed
