Dear Editor,
I respectfully request the immediate publication of my response to what can only be described as an ignorant representation of the participation of Black people in business. I am writing in response to the letter by Vassan Ramracha dated August 21st (today) in the Kaieteur Newspaper, regarding his response to the Opposition Leader’s call for the participation of Black individuals in business. While I respect the diversity of opinions that a platform like the Kaiteur News provides, I must express my strong disagreement with Mr. Ramracha’s views. It continues to amaze me how non-Africans who do not mean us well consider it their God-given right to speak, often ignorantly, on affairs concerning our community.
To put it plainly, Mr. Ramracha’s condescending commentary amounts to nothing more than ill-informed and misguided rhetoric. The suggestion that African people are today unfamiliar with business endeavors or are underrepresented in business is not only misleading but also a disservice to the rich history of entrepreneurship within our community. The truth is, African people, have always been involved in businesses, contributing to the economy and society in myriad ways.
In fact, I would venture to say that virtually every Black acquaintance I have is engaged in some form of independent business venture. The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well within this community, with examples of Black-owned businesses, many in desperate need of financing, visible everywhere for those who truly care to observe.
Furthermore, the LAPOP survey of Guyana conducted in 2014 clearly indicated that members of both Black and East Indian communities identify themselves as entrepreneurs at practically the same rates. So, the notion that one community is inherently more entrepreneurial than the other is not only baseless but also divisive. What is true is that one segment of one community has benefited from the racism and corruption of the PPP, resulting in an overrepresentation of Indian business owners at the highest levels. Many of these so-called ‘masters of industry’ in Guyana not only have nefarious pasts that allowed them to accumulate and then redirect their earnings in more legitimate ways, but they also benefit from the scales being tipped in their favor by racist banking policies and by the helping hand of the PPP government.
The Opposition Leader’s call for more Black individuals to create businesses is a constructive and essential initiative, but it must also include a recognition of the disparities in access to capital, as this would level the playing field and enable every aspiring entrepreneur to actualize their potential.
The writer’s insulting reference to handouts seems to ignore the handout of government contracts which has made an overwhelming number of East Indian business owners very wealthy. So, while we recognize that equal participation in entrepreneurship is pivotal, it doesn’t negate the significance of acknowledging that PPP government contracts have historically benefited a select few.
What we should be advocating for is equal access to resources, enabling individuals from all backgrounds to develop their enterprises. It is undeniable that Africans in Guyana continue to face challenges, including land issues, government intervention, and banking discrimination.
As an aside, the writer’s reference to Owens and Sowell immediately reveals the racist, conservative underpinnings of his letter. Candace Owens, for instance, has faced criticism for her tendency to trivialize systemic racism by suggesting that personal choices and behavior are the primary determinants of socioeconomic outcomes. While Owens champions individual responsibility, it is crucial to remember that centuries of racial discrimination have left lasting inequalities that cannot be reduced to personal decisions alone.
Similarly, Thomas Sowell’s views may resonate with some, but his stance against affirmative action and other measures intended to address historical disadvantages can ignore the context of deeply entrenched racial disparities. Neglecting the historical legacy of racial discrimination and the role it plays in present-day socio-economic challenges oversimplifies a complex issue.
I urge readers to recognize that dismissing the entrepreneurial abilities of any community is a grave disservice to the truth. Let us reject divisive narratives and instead focus on creating an environment where all individuals, regardless of their background, have an equal opportunity to thrive.
Shane Headley
