Racism… politically engineered or human flaw?

May 02, 2010 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

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YOUTH MAKE YOUR MARK!
As our youth arm, Youth For Change (YFC) prepares to host its convention on Saturday, at the Ocean View Convention Centre, we feature an article on the evil of racism as seen through the eyes of one of the activists.
The “now” generation of Guyanese youth is no different from those elsewhere, and are understandably frustrated and put off by the use of race and ethnicity as a device to divide and manipulate.
They are not as interested in who governs them as much as they are about what is at stake for them now. Jobs, opportunities, social cohesion and stability are uppermost in their minds.
The YFC presents an invitation to all interested youth to share an opportunity, and a platform of togetherness, irrespective of politics, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexuality and social status, by joining them on Saturday May 8, 2010 at 9:00 am at the Ocean View Convention Centre.
You are invited to listen and to exchange views and opinions with each other, and Jamaica’s young and rising Senator, Basil Waite, Bsc., MPA (Harvard), and our very own Dr. Tarron Khemraj, on the way forward. It is time for you to make our mark.

By Allister Collins
Racism, by definition, is a belief in the superiority of a particular race resulting in the hostility to or discrimination against other races. Generally, when we speak of racism, we immediately think of North America and what was done to African Americans by Whites; as well as what the Nazi government perpetrated towards the Jews.
Moreover, racism exposes a flaw in the human condition that is not tangible, but rather ideological.
I invite you to consider the pre-1994 South African government and its implementation of the apartheid system. The world thought that it was a system of governance, but under closer scrutiny, we would observe that apartheid was not so much a government policy but rather a moral issue enforced by the government. The polarization of the races for generations was skillfully used in times of war, economic difficulties, and here at home, during the election period when political parties are campaigning.
Moreover, being a Guyanese youth I am under no illusion that this crippling and debilitating virus of racism does not exist.
I have witnessed and experienced firsthand its effect although some are deceived of its non existence. It is an ungodly philosophy that unjustly places the members of a particular racial group above the other, disregarding the idea, which states that “all men are created equal”.
We witnessed racial tensions boil to the surface during the weeks prior to the 2006 general elections. The media effortlessly stumbled over the activities of the supporting members of the PPP/Civic and PNC/Reform that led to further polarization of the nation.
On the other end, we have heard politicians and some prominent members of our society, use incendiary language to express views which not only widen the racial divide, but also denigrate the potential greatness of our nation.
Guyanese have allowed themselves to be emotionally prostituted on the sentiments of race and ethnicity. This is one of the cheapest forms of division; we neither have control over our race nor our ethnicity. There is strength in our diversity, which is not evident in some of the ministries and job opportunities.
We the youth would like a Guyana where we are not profiled either by the colour of our skin, the texture of our hair, or the spelling of our names; but rather the content of our character and to be employed based on the merit of our abilities and academic validation.
What surgery must the nation’s leaders undergo to see clearly that Guyana is losing its best and brightest minds? Besides, what change is necessary for the restoration of the vision “One people, One Nation, with One Destiny”?
We need urgently to plug the drainage of our intellectual capital. What an insane logic it is to hire someone unqualified in the presence of a buffet of qualified citizens? How long must we Guyanese endure such mediocrity and unprecedented unprofessionalism in our public service sector? Why do we continually overlook our skills and hire overpriced consultants from abroad, when we have the skill sets among our citizenry?
There are numerous accounts of racial profiling in every sphere of society; it is in the marketplace, churches, and offices throughout the length and breadth of our beautiful country just to list a few. Furthermore, racism creates the atmosphere for unfair lending practices. It must stop now!
How long will we remain confounded, bewildered and perplexed by the political ambitions of a cabal of our society that is bent on disconnecting us rather than uniting us?
I declare that the time has come to make a deliberate decision to challenge those that desire to rule us to become responsible, accountable and answerable to higher standards and a greater degree of integrity.
Our politicians are so confident and at times reckless in their campaigning, that they major and manipulate our racial polarity as they minor and disregard issues affecting us as a country.
Racist attitudes or prejudice held by a substantial portion of the ruling regime has affected the masses for years, resulting in a pervasive distrust among the people. Usually the race that is not in power justifiably feels victimized by the government.
What prevents us from accepting each other regardless of culture, race and ethnicity? Even though racism is perceived as socially unacceptable and morally repugnant, it remains a major phenomenon in politics.
So I challenge you to engage your consciences as you meticulously observe whether racism is politically engineered or a character flaw in our humanity that is exploited by unscrupulous politicians.

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