GOVERNMENT’S recognition of the October 12 African Holocaust (the Maafa), was encouraging, and should be commended by all positive-thinking Guyanese and others. The editorials and articles by the media should also be commended. This recognition should be seen as a step towards the recommendation made by the Government Holiday Committee to make October 12, a National Commemorative Day with all the sanctity, respect and significance given to Indian Arrival Day. This is a noble idea, but Indian Arrival Day should not be compared with the horrors of the African Holocaust.
The UN-sponsored IYPAD (International Year of Peoples of African Descent) is another clarion call to all African people to be serious about themselves. Internalizing the Maafa is as good a place as any to start.