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What is the true status of the African Guyanese in Guyana?

Jul 31, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
Once again Afro-Guyanese are celebrating another Emancipation anniversary. The Guyanese descendants of slaves who toiled for centuries under the fierce cruelty and inhumanity of slavery are now able to live and work in a country that is independent and democratic. As the emancipation of slavery is celebrated again this year, Afro-Guyanese must reflect on their history, and critically analyse their current state and make preparations for the future.
Afro-Guyanese have much to be proud of and an equal measure of which to be ashamed. But, it is a celebration and therefore the focus ought to be on the good and great of African Guyanese legacy. Many have stood in the faces of great adversities and fought to take their rightful place in our society and the world. Many outstanding Afro-Guyanese have etched their names forever in the pages of history for their enormous contribution towards the freedom and upliftment of the Black Guyanese and Black Guyanese culture, both locally and internationally.
From Cuffy, Damon, Quamina, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow to Forbes Burnham, Eusi Kwayana, Aston Chase, Dr. Walter Rodney to Dr. David Hinds, Desmond Hoyte, Clive Lloyd, Eddy Grant to Linclon Lewis, all worked and continue to work for the education and elevation of Guyanese of African descent and Guyana in its entirety. The list of outstanding Afro-Guyanese who have made notable contributions to this nation is long and extremely impressive.
The African Guyanese heroes of past and present must be known, studied and celebrated always by African-Guyanese people who are keen on continuing the hard work of maintaining dignity, respect, economic and human development, wholesome political representation and order in Guyana.
In reflecting on the first emancipation celebration 173 years ago, Guyanese of African descent must ask themselves a few questions.
What is the true status of the African Guyanese in Guyana? Have Afro Guyanese somehow systematically been marginalized for the elevation of another who today seeks to portray Arian status? Are African Guyanese happy with life in Guyana?
This Emancipation Day celebration must see African Guyanese revisiting the resolve of their ancestors in recommitting to the struggle for a good and better life. Today African Guyanese are not faced with the crack of the whip and the sting of its strike on their bare backs in the sun and rain. Contemporary economic and political forces strike with a force more severe than any whip. Poverty, unemployment, crime and corruption are repressive burdens on the backs of African Guyanese, and for that matter all Guyanese.
As emancipation is being celebrated, African Guyanese are now preparing for a very crucial part of their history that, if not taken seriously, has the frightening potential of obliterating their significance as a people in a land their ancestors shed blood, sweat, and tears to develop.
As you celebrate the emancipation of slavery, work at emancipating yourselves from mental slavery. Commit yourselves to the struggle for good governance, the eradication of poverty, crime, and corruption. African Guyanese must once again look through the ocular device of wisdom and clearly see the modern house slaves in the society and refrain from being seduced by their narrow and partisan rhetoric.
After 173 years of freedom, African Guyanese ought to have made even more significant progress in the administration of their lives.
Richard Francois
Dubai, UAE

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