AFRICANS continue to confront the mythology that they are of an inferior race, and in this struggle for human dignity and respect some, rather than stand up and fight, have succumbed. It is not unusual to find that the self-loathing is wedded to the belief that acceptance and/or ascendancy to the social, economic and political order necessitate appropriating physical appearances of another race, or taking objection to being referred to as African-Guyanese, insisting they be identified only as Guyanese.

Some still wish we were colonised or enslaved, because to them we were better off being led than being masters of our own destiny, a destiny fought for and this soil drenched with the blood, sweat and tears of those who had striven to make it possible.
The mythology to justify slavery on the false notion that civilisation was brought to Africans and were it not for another race, we would have been left living in the wild, swinging naked from trees, devoid of humanity or legacy of an advanced culture continues to inform disrespect for the race. In the 21st century, African-Guyanese were the recipients of similar indignity when Ravi Dev felt comfortable enough to publicly say that were it not for the arrival of Indians, Guyana would have reverted to mangroves.

The history of our ancestors shows theirs was a civilisation that had its systems of language, built the pyramids which required a high level of intellect and a feat unmatched, engaged in international trade before being held captive and brought to the so-called New World, had universities such as Timbuktu, and cultures unique to the environment within which they lived.

The wretched desire to trample, discount and even eliminate Africans’ worth and contributions to societal development we must vigorously reject. Behind the backdrop of the importance to make known who we are as a people, and where necessary, constantly remind those who seek to downplay or deny our contributions to societal development, I turn attention to the major departed icons of the 20th and 21st centuries. Attention to these acknowledges their building on the struggles waged by hero braves led by Cuffy, Damon, Quamina, the village movement pioneers, and others.

In 1905, Hubert “Skibby” Nathaniel Critchlow sent shockwaves through the British Commonwealth when he organised dockworkers to protest against poor conditions of work. His struggles not only laid the foundation for securing fundamental rights and freedoms for workers, but most instructively saw such being enshrined in conventions of the International Labour Organisation. This organisation was established in 1919, 14 years after “Skibby” brought employers (merchant class) and government (Governor) to the table to negotiate with the workers (union), the conditions under which they gave of their labour.

Critchlow not only led the struggle for dockworkers  through organised labour, but also sugar workers, who nicknamed him “Black Crosby,” given that they felt his advocacy for them was akin to the compassionate white Agent-General, James Crosby. When in March 1926 Critchlow, along with other Caribbean labour leaders laid the foundation for deepening self-determination, which entailed internal self-government, and universal adult suffrage (one man, one vote), in December 1926 he held engagement with the British Guiana East Indian Association, which was in similar pursuit.

Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, aka “Odo,” continued building on a formidable legacy. Guyana achieved independence and republican status under his leadership, which was strengthened by the affirmative policies, programmes and laws he enacted.  Let me make it very clear, I have no intent to dwell on what may be considered shortcomings of this man, because it is from his strengths on which we ought to build, if we are serious of advancing the struggle for dignity and respect as human beings, started by our ancestors.  It was on “Odo’s” watch, for the first time in the nation’s history, colour, race, gender, class and religious beliefs were not considered barriers to public acceptance, involvement, up-liftment and empowerment.

The strengths and beauty that spring from diversity were seen in areas such as the banking community, Bookers and Fogarty’s stores, the sugar and bauxite sectors, co-education, free education from nursery to university, religious acceptance, marriages and cultural identity. Burnham piloted this nation to international recognition and respect and there was no mistaking our proudness as a diverse society and our ability to stand toe to toe with every group, as equals. Our sense of nationhood and pride as One People (i.e. equality) was uniquely nurtured by his administration. He was fiercely protective of the historical struggles and achievements of all groups, the country’s independence, sovereignty of its people, and uncompromising in his stance of how foreigners treated Guyanese and our resources.

Joseph Pollydore, nicknamed “The Caribbean Fox” in the international trade union community, given his wit in advancing the workers’ cause, pushed further for the attainment of their respect and dignity. When “Polly” stood up to advance the workers’ cause, even if it required him crossing swords with his close friend, “Odo,” he was uncompromising in his pursuits. Evidence of his life’s work shows such determination has been to the benefit of all, for he advanced the cause for human upliftment without regard to colour, race, religion, or other diversity.

It was “Polly” who went to the international community and advanced the case for the 1948 shooting of sugar workers on the East Coast Demerara estates to be deemed martyrdom, since through trade unions lens these workers were engaged in action to bring attention to their concerns and secure a seat at the table as human beings to resolve them.
“Polly” could have exercised the choice — though I know he would not have — to see this matter through racial lens and not a human rights issue deserving to be treated with concomitant respect and dignity. He won the support of the Burnham administration to recognise the five workers murdered by the police, which has become a national calendar event and immortalised as the Enmore Martyrs.

Desmond Hoyte, or “Desi,” was the last among this era of braves. When the West threw its entire weight behind a programme to undermine the Burnham administration, that contributed to the deterioration of our economic fortunes, on the passing of Burnham he ascended to the helm of the nation.  It was he who made a few steps backwards by developing a Structural Adjustment Programme/Economic Recovery Programme that liberals, including the trade union of which I was among, challenged.

It would be remiss not to acknowledge that painful though the initial journey was, and bitter the medicine for the society to swallow, the SAP/ERP delivered several years of growth based on Gross Domestic Product. This growth continued for years into the PPP/C government that stuck to the programme.
In hindsight, appreciation can be found in “Desi’s” foresight of seeing what was considered the necessity for biting the bullet, given the resultant effects of rebuilding the economy and confidence of business and citizens, placing the country in a position to once again hold its own at the international level. Additional to the aforesaid, Hoyte will forever be remembered as a stickler for the Rule of Law, taking white and blue crimes and criminals head on and was vehemently opposed to what he termed “executive lawlessness.”

Defining characteristics of these men were the proud embrace of their identity and living their lives driven by purpose and commitment. With confidence in your skin, there’s nothing that can stop your pursuit for advancing human dignity and respect. The contributions of these braves are of national and international import, forever etched in history, and bequeathed to us to build on.

They also nailed myths that Africans lack humanity, progressive thinking, positive actions, compassion for all humankind, and left alone mangroves would have overtaken us. We owe it to ourselves to not only proudly tell their stories, but also climb on their shoulders by building on their strengths and working to make the world a better place.