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Race, colour and class in Guyana

Dec 20, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Permit me to cast my two bits regarding an article in the Kaieteur News of December 13, entitled “Wynette Alexander – a woman who lived rampant racism”. This Guyanese septuagenarian, now resident in Florida has authored a book titled “Before I Forget” wherein she chronicles the multiple and blatant acts of racism that plagued the lives of both herself and parents during her childhood in Guyana. Most of the perpetrated acts were due to the apartheid type attitude rampant in Guyana at that time, and the columnist further remarks that what makes the book interesting is how we Guyanese lived and still do.
It is opined that that the book supplies reasons underlying the exodus of Guyanese for foreign lands. This latter statement or revelation has effortlessly earned my concurrence, as in the early 60’s I was among those who sought foreign refuge. Wynette may have suffered racism at the hands of her own, but as a child and even as a young adult I saw racism played out firsthand in more ways than one and not by another ethnic group, but by my own. Do you recall the term ‘apaanjaat” (our kind) a phrase that was rooted as a slogan of racial loyalty. Surely with some degree of nostalgic relief we can conjure up visions of the behavior invoked by that term. Race formed or constituted the preeminent ingredient in the organization of popular political participation.  After leaving secondary school, the proud owner of a College of Preceptors Certificate 7 subjects (3 distinctions), and G.C.E. Ordinary Level 5 subjects, I soon realized that much more academic bolstering was necessary if employment was to be assured. I daresay that at the selfsame time lesser qualified females had not only secured jobs but also high paying ones. The banks including the newly opened Bank of Guyana served as  repositories for a bevy of females of certain color and ethnicity. It appears that you had to be bright or right skinned to get in. Yes, members of a certain race had no place at that time in Guyana forcing us to look outwards if we possessed the financial aptitude to effect travel. One should be cognizant of the fact that forgiveness does not erase a bitter past, and a healed memory is certainly not a deleted memory.
The country was divided along stiff racial lines, and where Indocracy and Afrocracy were concerned twain was never going to meet, regardless of efforts. Historically and substantially these two main groups formed the core of hierarchical ranked social sections, namely the culturally distinct, educated and propertied stratum. So you see nothing has changed – the fragile coexistence between East Indian and African still exists, a divide that has seen its share of detrimental sequel.
Like Wynette, I have also been victim to episodic bouts of racism beyond our shores, having resided in England, the U.S.A and finally French speaking Quebec. My life experiences, especially living abroad has taught me that it is no longer important what race I am, just essentially the fact that I am not white (Caucasian). While others may not have told their tales about racism via the printed media, it does not detract from the fact that others, like Wynette have similar stories to tell about racism. Nothing has changed. What is ironic is that over the years all the political leaders have swung into power on platforms of social justice and condemnation of racial discrimination in any form or shape. It cannot be overlooked that race and ethnicity will always continue to be central to the Guyanese definition of self. However, forgiving what we cannot forget creates a new way to remember. The answer lies in changing the memory of our past into a hope for the future.  According to Israel’s fourth Prime Minister Golda Meir, “One cannot and must not try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present.
Yvonne Sam.

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