AT a time when we are experiencing and participating in a larger way than is normal in the music, dance, food, culture of our African Guyanese brothers and sisters; as we celebrate with them “The Year of People of African Descent”, the myth of marginalisation and discrimination against blacks in Guyana has once again reared its ugly head. In fact, some of us have been misled into believing that if we experience delayed service; if we do not land the job of the desired kind; if we do not get the response to our requests as and when we expect same; in short, if we do not get things our way, we are victims of marginalization and we beat the drums of marginalization. Many who argue that there is discrimination or marginalization of blacks in Guyana have failed to cite specific instances that support their contention beyond a shadow of doubt. On the contrary, there are many instances and examples of the PPP/C efforts and the indomitable will of our President Bharrat Jagdeo to create for all Guyanese equal opportunities as we persevere in a determined effort to bridge the racial divide.
We are not a government of a particular race or ethnic group but a government for all Guyanese. Indeed, the social services, the infrastructure, the Institutions built by the PPP/C are there for all to use and benefit. Guyana is a plural Society and there is evidence of continual progress in our country that cuts across race or ethnicity. It must be noted that Urban areas that have access to potable water, electricity, good roads, education, health care and other social services include many black villages.
Circumstances will dictate that some of us be hucksters while others are farmers; that some of us are teachers while others are doctors; that some of us are policemen while others are carpenters. Those circumstances are in large measure derived from situations we as individuals have large measure of control over, but in most instances we refuse or fail to exercise the desired control.
I am yet to see the results of any comparative study among our different ethnic groups that could be rooted in the practice of discrimination against a specific ethnic group. Albeit, quite often the distinctions if they do exist are drawn on class lines rather than along racial lines.
Blacks have been provided with opportunities to make their contributions, and indeed have made their contributions in the Public Service, Education, Health Care, Sports, Music, the Security sector which is a very important sector where trust and confidence are important attributes required. And there can be no denying that our President Bharrat Jagdeo has reposed a high degree of trust and confidence in those responsible for this important aspect of our Country’s development and that most of those who hold key positions in our Police Force, Our Army, Our prison Service etc. are Blacks.
In our beloved Guyana standards have got to be maintained; they are opportunities available and they are goals to be attained and everyone has an equal chance at the starting line. We must not look for others to blame if we are not at the starting line. We must stop reaching out for sympathy and stop disguising our political Agenda sheltering under the umbrella of discrimination.
Black leaders must work with Government to create more opportunities for African Guyanese. We do have racial preferences but these are often overshadowed by our general respect for each other.
Let’s honestly and profoundly examine the socioeconomic situation of Blacks in today’s Guyana as opposed to the Guyana of the pre1993 era. Today, blacks own far many more businesses, automobiles, nice houses, mining concessions, thriving farms etc. Today, many more blacks send their children to private schools. It is a fact, Indians outnumber blacks in the construction business, they operate in more communities than the blacks. Thus, it is obvious that the former will be seen to get more of the contracts available by way of public bidding. Nonetheless the name Courtney Benn is now a household word in the construction industry. We must work together to give rise to more Courtney Benns.
Neither the PPP/C Government nor Guyana’s eminent, respected, diligent and likeable President Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo are engaged in practices and systemic discrimination in resource allocations or available opportunities to our Guyanese people. For me, marginalization in Guyana is not a real issue.
Written by NORMAN WHITTAKER.M.P, Minister of Local Government
Excerpts from the Guyana Chronicle
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