THE Cuffy250 Committee joins with the rest of Guyana in saluting the African Guyanese community on the observance of the 177th anniversary of the formal abolition of slavery.We urge that, as we celebrate, we should not ignore the uncomfortable truth about the state of the African Guyanese community. African Guyanese communities have been persistent victims of discrimination, stereotyping, and state violence. Stripped of their organisations, knowledge of and pride in their history and of their economic base, the African Guyanese community is in a worse state than it was in 1838.

In this regard, this year’s observances should serve as a reminder to all Guyanese, especially those charged with governance at all levels, of the Emancipation promise of liberty, freedom and equality.

Cuffy250 calls for a determined commitment, in word and deed, by Government to make good on those promises, a commitment that must go beyond festivities.

African Guyanese must also participate in the restoration of its equal standing in Guyana. We again urge that African Guyanese begin to plan as a collective to lift themselves. We in Cuffy250 will set the ball rolling at our Third Annual State of the African Guyanese Forum, to be held on Sunday, August 9, at 10:00 am at the Critchlow Labour College, where we intend to raise anew the quest for ethnic equality in Guyana.
ROSHELL BROWNE
Cuffy250 Coordinator