Dr David Hinds

TODAY, Guyanese and African-Guyanese observe Emancipation. The spotlight would turn on this important section of our national tapestry. The sordid history of the African would be repeated. The culture would be elevated to national status. And most importantly, I hope, the current socio-economic and cultural conditions of the African-Guyanese would be highlighted and discussed. The African-Guyanese socio-economic condition is dismal and it needs particular attention. This Emancipation anniversary must be a moment not just for celebration, but also a time for reflection.
I am constantly asked to suggest corrective measures that could be taken to aid in African- Guyanese revitalization. My first response is that in order to correct the problem, one has to first get to the underlying causes. My second response was that, coming up with solutions would require two inter-related approaches. First, there needs to be a broad conversation with the people in the communities about how they want to deal with their problems. Second, the experts—economists, educators, historians, lawyers etc.—need to get together with the communities and come up with a plan that is premised on the needs of the communities. In effect, there is need for a two-way conversation.
A lot of the problems in the African-Guyanese communities have to do with the challenges that the African-Guyanese economy has had to face historically—the problems are structural. First, we have to start with the challenges within the context of the colonial economy, which saw the African Village economy as a direct affront to the interests of colonialism. Second, we have to look at it within the context of the ethnic competition — from decolonization to the present– whereby the ethnic demarcation of the Guyanese economy, itself a legacy of colonialism, has made economic progress in the separate ethnic communities a victim of the larger ethnic politics.
Although the decline in African-Guyanese communities is not just economic, I think their economic condition has a lot to do with it. Similarly, although the decline started before 1992 when the PPP government came to office, one should not disregard the impact of the loss of government by African-Guyanese in our government-centred, ethnically divided society. I think there was a negative impact on the group’s morale and self-confidence and objectively on opportunities for upward mobility.
African-Guyanese have traditionally been located in the Bauxite Industry, the Public Service, Pork-knocking and the Village Economy, where farming, small business and vending predominate. Later, they dominated “Trading”—bringing food and clothing for sale from other Caribbean countries. In addition to the above, education was an area of relief from poverty and social mobility. But over the last two decades bauxite has declined, and the Public Service stalled, thanks mainly to the IMF conditionalities and the ethnic interests of the PPP government. Wages have not kept up with the cost of living. Education and Agriculture in the villages have declined.
I think the combination of the above is at the heart of the “crisis” in the African-Guyanese community. In addition, the evolution of a culture of accommodation with” political bribery “has led to a weakening of group solidarity, pride and dignity. Finally, the heavy migration has had a negative effect on the community. One of the devastating consequences has been the loss of role models who live day to day in the communities. Finally, one cannot discount the impact of some negative group habits, but these have to be seen within the larger dynamics of post-plantation evolution among the formerly enslaved.
Affirmative Action
It is clear to me then that the emancipation of African-Guyanese has become a very urgent necessity for that group and for Guyana at large. There is definitely need for some form of Affirmative Action to correct the structural changes facing African-Guyanese, particularly in the area of business. Unless African-Guyanese can compete again in the business sector, that community would remain dependent and empowerment would be an elusive dream.
The government has to muster the courage to implement policies and create institutions that cater to this particular problem. I appreciate that in our fragile ethnic environment, such a course of action is fraught with political risks. No doubt, the political opposition and the ethnic commentators would lay charges of favouritism. But I don’t see any other way out.
If African-Guyanese are to return to agriculture, then the infrastructure in the villages has to be repaired or where they do not exist, they have to be put in place. Another area in which investment should be made is the creation or improvement of small businesses. There is urgent need for a banking institution that provides low-interest loans. The situation with the vendors has to be solved, so that their location offers them commercial benefits. They have to be able to sell in areas where buyers traverse; confining them to a yard which is away from the path of buyers is counter-productive.
Self-Activity
Having said that, African people have to understand that governments are important, the larger institutions of society are important, but it is only you in your collective effort who can draw attention to your situation and thereby can begin to do something to repair it. Once you begin to do something to repair it, then you begin to put pressure on those who are in authority. They will say these people are not only crying out, but they are also making steps, taking steps on their own.
You can begin to make small contributions – you can begin to talk about discipline, you can begin to talk about education, you can do something about education, you can begin to talk about how you should not spend more than you earn, you can begin to talk about how to make what you earn work for you and your family and your wider community. Those are some of the things you can begin to do, you don’t have to wait on somebody to come and tell you these things.
Dr David Hinds, a political activist and commentator, is an Associate Professor of Political Science and Caribbean and African Diaspora Studies at Arizona State University. More of his writings and commentaries can be found on his YouTube Channel Hinds’ Sight: Dr David Hinds’ Guyana-Caribbean Politics and on his website www.guyanacaribbeanpolitics.com. Send comments to dhinds6106@aol.com