Two critical missing elements of the Emancipation project

Aug 04, 2016 Letters

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Dear Editor;
The letter (Kaietuer News, 1 August 2016) by Dr. David Hinds argued, in respect of people of African descent, that “…he must begin sending his children to school again. She must begin to engage in productive economic activity, both individually and collectively…” He makes a significant point with regard to both elements. However, his point needs to be sharpened more than ever. The Emancipation project demands that people of African descent doggedly pursue science and enterprise.
Anecdotally, people of African descent in the Americas may, like all other ethnic groups, be no less likely to pursue mathematics and science at pre-tertiary and at undergraduate levels of education and training. Yet, with a sprinkling of exceptions, they seem not to make any noticeable impact on the world of the Americas in these fields. Not in academia, research and development, epoch making technological changes or innovations, and especially not in enterprise.
Furthermore, it appears that more of them graduate with art and social science degrees at the graduate level, rather than in mathematics, natural science, technology and engineering and business disciplines. In addition, more seem inclined to seek jobs rather than the alternatives of self-employment or and private enterprise. The fundamental problem may be that the vast majority continues to be socialised this way.
Their political leaders love to talk to them about jobs. Jobs yes, however this is an incomplete world view, especially about the future. It is past time that those leaders should instead relentlessly hammer home the ideas behind science and enterprise, promote the underlying values of investment and private enterprise, and do all they can to create the enabling conditions for a larger number of them to pursue self-employment, facilitate the founding of start-ups and support their private enterprise wherever they exist. Because the question is; if people of African descent are not encouraged to be job creators and to take up the serious responsibility of becoming contributors to the task of job creation, why should any other ethnic group create jobs for them?
The trouble and truth is that when the job seekers cannot find employment the complaint is that this is because some other race has discriminated against them. There is discrimination, no doubt; however, this will not change in the foreseeable future. Outside of Africa, its diaspora are mostly Christians. Their religious leaders talk a great deal about what God will provide, and he will.
However, they may consider more frequently the practical instructions relating to the “Parable of the Wise and Foolish Virgins”, in Matthew in the Bible. One’s life experience is both spiritual and material. To harvest richly in both one must prepare and be ready.
There are three ways to make a living namely; work for someone, self-employment and through creating a business. Depending on government to create jobs is a lame ambition, as no other ethnic group seems to do this. People of African descent must be properly instructed in all three.
Self-employment and private enterprise are vital elements of the Emancipation project. To promote change of culture and to expand the catchment basin for a growing number of actors this instruction must happen and be reinforced at home, in school, in religious institutions, from the political bully pulpit and through policy and programmes.
Go to any forum on business and science, anywhere in the Americas, and you will see who is in attendance. Go to any forum on labor, a protest rally and an exercise in civil disobedience and you will see people of African descent in abundance. The struggle for social justice and equal rights are very important. Study in fields of arts, social sciences, humanities etc. are invaluable. However, in order to become stronger, faster, one needs the additional critical tools of science and private enterprise.  One must therefore learn to create jobs for oneself. A wise Minister of Government from a certain CARICOM country said, some two decades ago, that the future will be less about race and more about class. He may have a point.
If I had anything to do with it I would encourage African families to radically shift the educational and training balance in favour of math, science, technology, engineering, architecture, medicine, dentistry etc., and business disciplines. Their governments should do likewise. In addition, my mantra would be to adopt a new world view, comprised of two clarion calls. Firstly, strive to become Educated Members of the Business and Investor Class. Secondly, that Every Family is an Enterprise.
In a free world those who do not want these can choose other disciplines and job seeking as their first option. However, as a people, all should be aware that two critical elements of the Emancipation project, that is, science and enterprise are missing.
Ivor Carryl

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