Race and racism must be confronted, head on. They must no longer be the elephants in the room no one wants to have honest, open and frank discussion on. Each group has its story and experiences to share and we must be allowed to do so.
As an African, marking this 182 years since the end of chattel slavery, a brutish system that subjected my ancestors to the worst form of injustices inflicted by one race against another, it not happenstance I am here but by the determination of my forebears to fight the abominable system and overcome. As heir of their sacrifices and indomitable spirit I bring to theirs and mine experiences the innate and uncompromising desire to be treated with dignity and respect!
The United Nations (UN) acknowledges race as an important characteristic of human existence. This body seeks to promote racial equality, as adumbrated in its Universal Declaration on Human Rights, by removing all forms of barriers/discrimination that would hinder same. Given our historical experiences of racial conflicts, as a member-state, Guyana’s adoption of these principles could aid in the creation of better policies, programmes and laws.
Race must be considered a premier developmental factor in national planning and a mechanism to confronting racism. The National Census requires of us the identification of race as part of its clusters in calculating data of the various demographics in our society. This data should not only be used for accumulation or seen as assessment of electoral value. Data on race must be used to play a fundamental role in informing effective and efficient planning at all tiers of government. It is something we must demand of our elected representatives.
The demand for inclusion, respect and dignity is not racism. Racism speaks to the enactment of policies, programmes, laws and other acts designed to deprive a person or group their rights and equal participation as citizens of society. Pride in one’s ancestral lineage(s) is not racism. As a man of African descent, born in Guyana, I proudly identify as African Guyanese.
Being Guyanese is not a race but a nationality- the country/geographic space within which one is born or has adopted as his/her land of citizenship. Identifying the physical characteristics/heritage of my ancestry does not diminish or obliterate the land my ancestors happened to move to, be it voluntarily or not. I draw strength from both experiences and can learn to avoid the pitfalls that had befallen both. I am who I am from both experiences and would want to be treated with dignity and respect notwithstanding such experiences. I am equally convinced this principle is shared by others who reside here or moved to other countries. Thus, we cannot ignore what are irrefutable facts of life.
Racial equality will remain elusive when we ignore the fundamental factors to achieving it. For instance, based on statistical data, racial groups are predisposed to certain health challenges, given lifestyle in diet, genetic make-up, etc. You cannot properly plan to ensure these persons have access to quality health care- preventative and curative- ignoring the issue of race. We talk about tackling poverty, but how can this be effectively tackled through the allocation of resources and the creation of institutions ignoring the pockets of poverty, some of which are race specific and location driven.
We must return to a system of national planning for development that sees value in encouraging and promoting racial dignity at all levels. Development must be promoted on Guyana’s pride as a land of six peoples and the motto of “One People, One Nation, One Destiny.”
Let us not take for granted, as a newly independent nation, the structures put in place to decriminalise religious beliefs/ practices and placing them on the national calendar. Let us not take for granted an indigenous education system that sought to reverse racial animosity by creating the space and opportunity to get to know each other better, to see diversity as a strength and unifier, and the importance of respecting same as integral to peaceful co-existence. Let us not take for granted efforts at telling, understanding and respecting the lived experiences of those historically discriminated against. Even as we respect their experiences, let it be known ours is no less deserving of similar respect. This we must maintain is uncompromising!
Together, we must not take for granted every man’s innate desire to be treated with dignity and respect. Our Constitution, in spite of its warts, offers us this by enshrining a political system of “inclusionary democracy” as outlined in Article 13. Emancipation was a fight worth having and we cannot quit now. It is time we move to give deeper meaning to same by taking our seats at the table, invited or not! It is time we show up and let them know Black Lives Matter as All Other Lives Matter. It is time to build on the struggles and achievements of our forebears, for without them we could not have been, and if we drop the ball it will not augur well for our offsprings.
Up, you Mighty People. Onward, Upward May We Ever Grow!
Lincoln Lewis
1st August 2020.
