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Remove the terms Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese from our diction

Oct 04, 2010 Letters

Dear Editor,
I cringe each day as I witness the polarization of my community on ethnicity which has become a harsh truth in Guyanese society, which it need not be. This racial schism has existed for years to the detriment of our country.
For too long we have drawn lines between ourselves with titles such as Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese etc., it is my belief that this hinders us from realising our true potential for development and as such promulgates challenges that need not be; social problems(abuse), security issues(crime), and an education crisis.
This is the epoch of change, it is time to face this problem and move on and alter our minds through education that ethnic diversity need not be a source of inequality but should contribute significantly to the resolution of problems and ideas for growth and development.
Having a plural society should enrich our knowledge foundation as we learn from each other instead of disregarding ideas from any particular race.
When one group doesn’t feel disenfranchised then they will participate in nation building fully and constructively, if one group doesn’t feel targeted then they will engage in dialogue to increase local capacity in the reduction of conflicts and governance which  is integral to social consistency and solidity.
This disparity can be changed if we as a people seek to understand each other, our diversity, and our individuality and internalize our motto of being one people, one nation and one destiny.
It is my belief that the realisation of these integral differences and working to compensate for them will be the precursor to national development that we so ardently pursue since, concomitant with the growth and development of any society is its ability to engage all ethnic groups and strata in the decision making process.
Conversely should we not resolve or ameliorate this current situation then it is impossible for there to be social cohesion and by extension substantive national development, poverty eradication and national unity, rather growth will occur in tandem with violence and ethnic distrust wearing away the very fabric of our society.
The ambitions plans for the progression of our society hinges on our ethnic diversity. I anxiously await the day when we all can hold hands and join together to enjoy our freedom, our culture, our diversity and our environment without fear of oppression safely with the assurance that our democratic governance system is all inclusive and represents the ethnic composition as we stand as vanguards and citizens of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana.
Maybe the Ethnic Relations Commission could lobby to have the terms Afro-Guyanese and Indo-Guyanese removed from our diction in an effort to promote our national development.
Brian Smith

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