IT will be a waste of time to cite the many references in the domain of ‘race’ in recent times, in the local dailies. Everyone has an opinion, and even though many of these diverse opinions cannot be substantiated, they help (I should probably say hurt) shape the psyche. I offer my own view here, and I support it with a present example. I do not believe for even an infinitesimal moment that the PPP/C is and will ever be racist. I remind readers that it was the late LFS Burnham who broke away from the PPP (in the late 1950s). The late PPP founder/leader always had a plan of unison, equality and inclusiveness. This trend has not changed. All that readers need to do is to look at the PPP/C hierarchy. The current court battle is testimony to this as well.

Dr. Roger Luncheon (being no mere token), is in staunch defence of the Jagdeo administration. He heads the Presidential Secretariat, and if a man of such distinction avows that the President  is not racist, then that is a good word to take note of. I also ask that if the PPP/C were engaged in any kind of ‘nasty discrimination’, how is it that the Guyana Police Force and Guyana Defence Force are being headed by Afro-Guyanese? Surely these two arms are crucial. So the mere thought of the current administration being guilty of the race game is ‘null and void’. Now look at what is about to happen.

The Ministry of Labour, Human Services and Social Security will be hosting an exhibition that is designed to honour Afro-Guyanese women. The exhibition is titled ‘Kapée’ (a gathering to celebrate), and it is part of the series of activities to observe ‘International Year of Peoples of African Descent’. This exhibition will be held under the theme ‘Reflecting on the past, honouring our ancestors and saluting today’s woman’.  The show is slated for the lawns of Castellani House, beginning August 29 at 16:30 hrs. It will run until September 3, from 10:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs daily. If readers add this upcoming event to the recent monetary contribution from government to ACDA, then they will see why I am saying that PPP/C is devoid of racism. There is something very wholesome about this exhibition too. It departs from the stereotypical fanfare scenario.

There will be depictions of the arrival of some of the ancestors of women of African descent, and this will give a peek into the various countries, tribes and civilizations from which most  Afro-Guyanese originated.

This will allow for a recounting of the many trials and tribulations that the Africans had to endure. The exhibition will delve into the area of arts, culture, academics, music and literature. There are many aspects of Africanism that are preserved and propagated here today in Guyana.

So the attendees will get a chance to seek to establish that link. I always find this type of exercise to be quite fruitful. My hope is that the moment will be seized by many persons, irrespective of racial belonging.

I close with a suggestion that the secondary schools in Guyana be a part of this venture. They are bound to be inspired. Students will get a chance to make history interactive. Even though this is ‘International Year of Peoples of African Descent’ and the theme is ‘Reflecting on the past, Honouring our Ancestors and Saluting today’s woman’, non-Africans and men will benefit from the exhibition. And even though dominated by Indo and Afro-Guyanese, the ‘Guyanese mix’ is really pluralistic.
Here in Guyana I see a wonderful pot pourri. So I ask that readers be a part of the drive of the PPP/C to make Guyana a land of ‘One People, One Nation and One Destiny.’