Dear Editor,
As a current student of International Relations, it is important that all and sundry understand the “dogma of politics” including its complexities before understanding the political ideologies of Dr. David Hinds.
While I may not agree with everything Dr. Hinds says I must commend him for being candid and pragmatic in his interview with my media colleagues Abena Rockcliffe and Kemol King.
Dr Hinds a staunch member of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA) has frankly said that he held both the People’s National Congress before its Reform in 1997 now PNC/R and the Peoples Progressive Party Civic (1992) accountable for what he described the oppression of Indo and African Guyanese says to me commonsensically that he ( Dr Hinds) cannot be a racist as many accused him of being.
A Racist doesn’t fight those in authority for perpetuating such prejudices which is the case of racism.
It is important to note that one who criticises his own race for neglecting or maltreating its own race is not a racist but is rather a pragmatist and idealist.
Former Prime of the People’s Democratic Republic of Congo Patrice Lumumba ad nauseum criticised his people which are Africans alike for being blinded by the doctrines of the Western World to the extent that they are victims of white supremacy, will you say he is a racist ?
His statements at times can be blunt but if you study politics you’ll understand that what Dr.Hinds an academic in this field, is saying is nothing new and should be an eye opener to us.
It is Aristotle who said that the nature of man is to be a “political animal”.
In my readings for Politics 1100 (Theory and Practice of Politics) his interpretation translates to this being that “ it is only within a certain category of society or political community that you can have the “good life”.
We cannot negate the fact that Classism continues to be a global problem. Where there is Classism there is Elitism and Racism perpetuates.
We must understand that our Indo and African Guyanese have experienced similar struggles of ethnocentrism and oppression not only locally but in the global sphere.
The question is how do we address the issues of racism when they are so many misconceptions about the cultural and social challenges of our major ethnic groups.
As much as we are a culturally diverse or multiethnic society, the harsh reality is that racism is an extant problem and we must confront it by knowing its root cause.
Dr. David Hinds, a political scientist, delivered an outstanding analysis of race relations in Guyana, illuminating the complexities both pre and post colonialism.
His insights are essential for understanding the historical context and its lasting impact on society.
Best regards,
Antonio Dey
