It is saddening and unfortunate that every day Guyanese are – as soon as we open a news publication – reminded of the fact that our society has a huge racial problem. Such reminders of our major problem are always depressing. However, right-thinking citizens may use such reminders as a source of motivation to do something about the situation.
While Guyana’s problem of racism and racial discrimination may seem too big to solve, we may be encouraged by history.
One will recall the civil rights movement in the United States in the 1960s that brought an end to entrenched racial segregation in that country. One remembers, too, the dismantling of the system of apartheid in South Africa in the early 1990s. One notes that both of those examples may have been considered to be too big to solve. Yet, the individual and collective actions of ordinary people changed history and established better, more equitable societies. Guyana’s problem is therefore solvable.
This article – the 4th one in this series – will explore why we need to fix our racial problem, and how we can do that. It may be worth repeating that the objective of this series is to foster constructive discussion and promote positive action towards the goal of solving the problem. These articles are not intended to cast blame.
Racial division and discrimination may be regarded as intrinsically bad. It will be acknowledged that anyone who promotes or encourages racist ideas has only his or her selfish interests in mind. As such, the elimination of such ideologies may be viewed as a good end in itself, as well as the means to further good objectives.
Racial division and discrimination results in numerous social and economic ills. In fact racism may become deadly. According to the United Nations (UN), some three quarters of all human conflicts are the result of cultural divisions that have a racial component. Naturally, the Holocaust comes to mind.
Racism can deprive entire peoples of their basic rights and entitlements. It usually creates unjust conditions for some people. One must remember, though, the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He said, “Injustice for one is injustice for all.”
Having established that racism is bad, what can we, as ordinary people, do about eliminating it?
According to Action Alert, an advocacy group that fights domestic violence, there are some steps that may be taken against racism.
- Learn to recognise and understand your own privilege.
One of the first steps to eliminating racial discrimination is learning to recognise and understand your own privilege. Racial privilege plays out across social, political, economic, and cultural environments. Checking your privilege and using your privilege to dismantle systemic racism are two ways to begin this process.
- Examine your own biases and their origins.
What messages did you receive as a kid about people who are different from you? What was the racial and/or ethnic make-up of your neighborhood, school, or religious community? Why do you think that was the case? These experiences produce and reinforce bias, stereotypes, and prejudice, which can lead to discrimination. Examining our own biases can help us work to ensure equality for all.
- Validate the feelings of others.
Another way to address bias and recognize privilege is to support the experiences of other people and engage in tough conversations about race and injustice. We cannot be afraid to discuss oppression and discrimination for fear of “getting it wrong.” Take action by learning about the issues.
- Challenge the “colorblind” ideology.
There is a pervasive myth that we live in a “post-racial” society where people “don’t see colour.” Perpetuating a “colorblind” ideology actually contributes to racism.
When Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. described his hope for living in a colorblind world, he did not mean that we should ignore race. It is impossible to eliminate racism without first acknowledging race. Being “colorblind” ignores a significant part of a person’s identity and dismisses the real injustices that many people face as a result of race. We must see color in order to work together for equity and equality.
- Call out racist jokes or statements.
Whether at work, home, school, or elsewhere, racist rhetoric is not okay. We must have the courage to speak up against such harmful words.
- Adopt a principled approach.
Remember that all forms of oppression are connected. You cannot fight against one form of injustice and not fight against others.
Guyanese may note, too, that the United Nations has repeatedly emphasised that racism is one of humanity’s greatest weaknesses. The UN has declared that racism is often used as a political tool by people in power to divide and rule ordinary citizens. The organisation underscores the need for all peoples to acknowledge and respect the common humanity of everyone. By that means – if we want to do it – we can win the fight against racism and racial discrimination.
