African Guyanese must condemn discrimination in the society

Dec 08, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Given the legacy of abuses Indians and other groups have suffered ever since they arrived on the shores, and shared (at times similar) experiences with Africans, intellectuals from all ethnicities have an obligation to speak out on grievances the various groups have experienced. Their writings will help guide future generation of scholars in their research by offering their views on important issues. Too few (Indian) intellects are concerned with anything other than their own personal success in life and about themselves.
Some forget that it was the struggle of others that helped made many intellects who they are today and responsible for the restoration of democracy and our freedom a la the struggle against the PNC ethnic dictatorship. Due to many social problems and the ongoing reality of racism and other systems of oppression being experienced by Indians, Amerindians, Chinese, etc., Indian (and other) intellectuals should be more active in addressing these issues. They must also be vigilant in confronting the many obstacles that may arise to hinder the progress of the communities where they live. This is even more reason for (Indian) intellectuals to speak up on critical issues relating to their future well being. They and intellects from other ethnicities simply cannot stand by and watch as they themselves and others suffer from various abuses. They have to join the struggle that a few of us are waging to improve the lives of others.
Africans must also speak up on issues impacting on groups other than their own. It is noted that few African intellectuals have objectively addressed issues impacting on the Indian community; they focus primarily on their own kith and kin and some tend to derogate Indians. Nothing is wrong with intellects focusing on their own group. It is okay to be an ethnic advocate and to speak out against racism or on issues affecting your group. But attacking other groups is unacceptable and must be condemned. It is noted that few Africans speak out against the poor governance of their parties or discrimination leveled by their own against other groups.
Hardly any have condemned the racism being experienced by Indians, Amerindians, Chinese and other groups, and even fewer African intellects are activists against racism and ethnic hatred that has been perpetrated in the society over many decades. While ready to condemn Indian writers and the de facto Indian party, for perceived or real grievances, few Black writers are willing to criticize Africans or the de facto African party for mis-governance. Also, some Black writers are insensitive to discriminatory attitude experienced (or related) by Indians or Amerindians. I am of the view that Blacks (and Indians) should speak out objectively on matters impacting on all groups. Moral conscience dictates that people speak out against racism (or its kinship such as prejudice, discrimination, intolerance, etc.) regardless of the purveyors; racism must be condemned in all its forms. Intellectuals of all ethnicities must speak out on (or address) issues impacting on race relations. Everyone, regardless of ethnicity, must speak out. We may not agree with every viewpoint, as has been the case with Bakr, but at least we will have a variety of perspectives on an issue to examine and form our own conclusions. Hopefully, we learn from each other.
When intellectuals of different backgrounds address an issue, it is expected they will have different opinions because, obviously, they have varied experiences and live in different neighborhoods. It is better to have many voices than having a few doing all of the advocacy for a (persecuted) people or addressing issues facing a group.
The liberating potential of the collective community is enhanced when there is full participation of comments from scholars irrespective of backgrounds. Indian intellects cannot do it alone. Black intellectuals and those of other ethnicities also have a role in addressing issues affecting Indians or other groups. Only then will it be easier to talk about “race”, and it won’t be a taboo issue or pushed under the rug. The burden to start and carry on conversations (writings) should not fall on the shoulders of a few (Indian) intellectuals.
Vishnu Bisram

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