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I RESPOND to recent letters in the KN: “I condemn the racism contained in these two letters”, by Roger Ally, “The differences are cultural rather than racial” by Geralda Dennison, “This mentality seeks to condone and promote ethnic supremacy”, by Lenno Craig, and Freddie Kissoon’s latest, “We need to reply to these types of poison” – as they pertain to my KN letter, “Freddie’s sensationalist column was typically partial and unbalanced” (Feb. 13, 2013). Mr. Ally was grossly intellectually dishonest by interspersing phrases and sentences from my letter, with that of Vassan Ramracha’s. Mr. Ally’s letter was rather simplistic, and failed to confront the main thrust of the letter – which was to address the question of equity and stats – in response to Mr. Kissoon’s song and dance about lack of ‘balance’ in the country.
I respect and appreciate Mr. Ally’s sentiments regarding the diligence of Guyana’s two largest ethnic groups, but his references are obtusely tertiary in addressing the question of ‘balance.’
Mr. Ally beckoned Mr. Ramracha and me to visit the market place and see how Black and Indian stallholders look out for each other. I feel that Mr. Ally needs to take a course or two from a famous Social Science lecturer, and he will soon know that this mutual love watch is not a reflection of racial harmony; it is derived from familiarity and mutual benefit. (An unfortunate but more realistic reflection of ethnic relations could be found in the KN news item, “Prisoner pays cop $1,000 for freedom”, (KN, 06-02-13), found at http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/02/06/prisoner-pays-cop-1000-for-freedom/.
I saw for myself the beauty of ethnic harmony that was epitomised in the Beehive/Greenfield area, so I find the incident of young men from one ethnic group beating up those of another very sad and disturbing. But what can you expect when you have a daily dose of certain media personnel constantly writing and telling (untruths!) about racial discrimination in jobs, housing, scholarships, etc.?)
It would have been more apt if Mr. Craig’s letter had been titled: “This mentality seeks to condone and promote ethnic equanimity and accuracy”, in reference to my letter, as that was what my missive aimed to accomplish. That letter writer erred by his numerous way-off “insinuations”, thereby drawing incorrect assumptions from the gist of the letter. In reading my letter in question, it is vital to examine the genesis of the discussion. It has stemmed from Mr. Kissoon’s repeated mantra about the injustice of favourable numbers that are disposed to Indians in the country, thereby giving them ‘special’ treatment, at the cost of their African brethren. An explanation on this need is stated below. (Mr. Craig could thank Mahatma Gandhi for not having more Indians in the country, as Gandhi stopped the British in 1917 from continuing Indian emigration on account of “suffering” the Indians encountered by those who had left India).
Mr. Craig claimed that the statistics I presented were “strange fictional statistics” or “formed phantom science”. No, Mr. Crag: the numbers on the ethnic composition in Guyana were taken from official statistics. Similarly, the stats that were quoted about Indians’ success and financial ownership in countries such as the U.K., USA, and those in Africa came from reliable sources; they were not pulled out of the air.
About the work ethic and business acumen of the Indians, Mr. Craig needs to do a bit of homework and it might help to put his mind at ease. Just do some research for yourself about the subjects in question, and see what you come up with. I feel that if he honestly digests what he finds, he would come to a conclusion similar to that of Ms. Geralda Dennison, who surmised “the work preferences for Afros and Indians are markedly different”; this difference, however, is “cultural”, rather than genetic.
I wholeheartedly support Mr. Craig in his last sentence: “Guyanese from all walks of life should seek a national conversation on race relations in Guyana and decipher ways in which the fears of various ethnic groups are addressed so that ordinary Guyanese do not feel threatened by the successes of a person who do not share their ethnicity.” Mr. Craig and I, and countless Guyanese long for the day when there would be racial harmony, fairness as well as mutual respect for the cultural differences of the ethnic groups in the country.
Mr. Kissoon still has not addressed the salient points in my Feb. 13 letter. He is yet to confront or comment on the ethnic composition in the country. Why is Mr. Kissoon hesitating to arrest this piece of stats? Why the delay? You see, his ire about ‘balance’ has been spooked! The man has been pontificating for eons about how more scholarships, more contracts, more housing lots, etc. have been given to Indians than to Africans. I have pointed out that, of course, this should be the case, considering that there are almost one third more Indians in the country than there are Africans (43.5% to 30.2 %). I would appreciate how Messrs. Kissoon, Ally and Craig feel about these statistics, and what are the ramifications on administrative and local/national policies.
Another conspicuous point which Mr. Kissoon has avoided like the plague related to his question, “Where is the balance in commerce, import-export trade, financial houses, land ownership, property ownership, investments in business ventures, agricultural projects, engineering firms, the construction industry, the retail trade in downtown Georgetown, etc?” I asked, “Ow bai, Freddie, where were all those things when the PNC held power for 28 years? Have the PPP, PNC, UF, or the colonial powers buckled down those of a particular ethnic background not to flourish in those areas mentioned?” We are still awaiting a response from the balancer!
Also, one must forget the factor that propelled this race discussion; it is Mr. Kissoon’s whine about lack of (racial) balance in the country. As I pointed out, it is preposterous and derisory that the columnist was writing about ‘balance’ when his focus has consistently been only on the African side, which makes up only 30% of the population; he has ignored the Amerindians, the Indians, the Chinese, etc. Oh, yes, he waved his magic wand and wrote two lines within two weeks that there should be balance in the Disciplined Forces and in the Public Service. Hurray! Feel nice! Deed done, eh?
Mr. Kissoon surmises that “there must be ethnic balance in all spheres of the paramount structures of this nation”. Sounds good; the pivotal question, however, is, what is meant by “ethnic balance”? Is it a case of dictating to the Private Sector Commission that 10% of the ads should fall within the Amerindian “ethnic mix”; 30 % of businesses should be owned by Africans; 43% of scholarships be given to Indians? That sounds like perfect balance to me; I therefore suggest we all rally around the former lecturer and crown him President!
Regarding Indians getting up early to start their day’s work, compared to others, I stand by that postulation. You don’t need to be a renowned statistician to obtain that data. Perhaps King Stut could do another research project (it won’t take much time nor money) to tell us about the sleeping, waking and working patterns of various ethnic peoples in the country. A similar study was done in Toronto in the late ‘1970s, and it made interesting reading!
I conclude by saying that I categorically deny that I am a racist. I have very sweet memories of Indians and Blacks being like one family in Mahaicony Branch Road, where I was born, and had my formative years. Villagers played cricket, attended each others’ wedding houses, and ate in each others’ homes.
Those who knew me well on the East Coast of Demerara where I spent my last years before I emigrated from Guyana could vouch for my relationship with Africans in our neighbourhood.
In 2002, I was one of the handful of Indians who attended the Emancipation Day at The National Park, and certainly the only Indian non-politician who donned (authentic!) African dashiki (from Ghana). (I think Mr. Desmond Hoyte was impressed, as he requested to have a picture taken with me!) Around that time, I needed repairs to my house, and my brother hired a carpenter from Buxton – who shared meals with us.
I have entertained dozens of African students in India, dined with them in my home, and attempted to secure financial help for African students when there was a desperate need. And one of my closest friends here in India is an African!
I exude in Indian culture, music, history, languages, mixing with and getting to know the people. However, I also love getting together with my African friends; they add colour, beauty and richness to our family’s lives.
My most important reason for not being a racist is the Biblical imperative which says, “Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates his brother is a liar. The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love the God whom he has not seen” 1 John 4:20.
Oh … Mr. Kissoon concluded his letter by threatening, “Let me warn Bhagwan that I belong to a group that will fight tirelessly for this all-embracing racial balance in our country and we will not accept to be intimidated in our goal”. Hey, can I join that group?
I respect and appreciate Mr. Ally’s sentiments regarding the diligence of Guyana’s two largest ethnic groups, but his references are obtusely tertiary in addressing the question of ‘balance.’
Mr. Ally beckoned Mr. Ramracha and me to visit the market place and see how Black and Indian stallholders look out for each other. I feel that Mr. Ally needs to take a course or two from a famous Social Science lecturer, and he will soon know that this mutual love watch is not a reflection of racial harmony; it is derived from familiarity and mutual benefit. (An unfortunate but more realistic reflection of ethnic relations could be found in the KN news item, “Prisoner pays cop $1,000 for freedom”, (KN, 06-02-13), found at http://www.kaieteurnewsonline.com/2013/02/06/prisoner-pays-cop-1000-for-freedom/.
I saw for myself the beauty of ethnic harmony that was epitomised in the Beehive/Greenfield area, so I find the incident of young men from one ethnic group beating up those of another very sad and disturbing. But what can you expect when you have a daily dose of certain media personnel constantly writing and telling (untruths!) about racial discrimination in jobs, housing, scholarships, etc.?)
It would have been more apt if Mr. Craig’s letter had been titled: “This mentality seeks to condone and promote ethnic equanimity and accuracy”, in reference to my letter, as that was what my missive aimed to accomplish. That letter writer erred by his numerous way-off “insinuations”, thereby drawing incorrect assumptions from the gist of the letter. In reading my letter in question, it is vital to examine the genesis of the discussion. It has stemmed from Mr. Kissoon’s repeated mantra about the injustice of favourable numbers that are disposed to Indians in the country, thereby giving them ‘special’ treatment, at the cost of their African brethren. An explanation on this need is stated below. (Mr. Craig could thank Mahatma Gandhi for not having more Indians in the country, as Gandhi stopped the British in 1917 from continuing Indian emigration on account of “suffering” the Indians encountered by those who had left India).
Mr. Craig claimed that the statistics I presented were “strange fictional statistics” or “formed phantom science”. No, Mr. Crag: the numbers on the ethnic composition in Guyana were taken from official statistics. Similarly, the stats that were quoted about Indians’ success and financial ownership in countries such as the U.K., USA, and those in Africa came from reliable sources; they were not pulled out of the air.
About the work ethic and business acumen of the Indians, Mr. Craig needs to do a bit of homework and it might help to put his mind at ease. Just do some research for yourself about the subjects in question, and see what you come up with. I feel that if he honestly digests what he finds, he would come to a conclusion similar to that of Ms. Geralda Dennison, who surmised “the work preferences for Afros and Indians are markedly different”; this difference, however, is “cultural”, rather than genetic.
I wholeheartedly support Mr. Craig in his last sentence: “Guyanese from all walks of life should seek a national conversation on race relations in Guyana and decipher ways in which the fears of various ethnic groups are addressed so that ordinary Guyanese do not feel threatened by the successes of a person who do not share their ethnicity.” Mr. Craig and I, and countless Guyanese long for the day when there would be racial harmony, fairness as well as mutual respect for the cultural differences of the ethnic groups in the country.
Mr. Kissoon still has not addressed the salient points in my Feb. 13 letter. He is yet to confront or comment on the ethnic composition in the country. Why is Mr. Kissoon hesitating to arrest this piece of stats? Why the delay? You see, his ire about ‘balance’ has been spooked! The man has been pontificating for eons about how more scholarships, more contracts, more housing lots, etc. have been given to Indians than to Africans. I have pointed out that, of course, this should be the case, considering that there are almost one third more Indians in the country than there are Africans (43.5% to 30.2 %). I would appreciate how Messrs. Kissoon, Ally and Craig feel about these statistics, and what are the ramifications on administrative and local/national policies.
Another conspicuous point which Mr. Kissoon has avoided like the plague related to his question, “Where is the balance in commerce, import-export trade, financial houses, land ownership, property ownership, investments in business ventures, agricultural projects, engineering firms, the construction industry, the retail trade in downtown Georgetown, etc?” I asked, “Ow bai, Freddie, where were all those things when the PNC held power for 28 years? Have the PPP, PNC, UF, or the colonial powers buckled down those of a particular ethnic background not to flourish in those areas mentioned?” We are still awaiting a response from the balancer!
Also, one must forget the factor that propelled this race discussion; it is Mr. Kissoon’s whine about lack of (racial) balance in the country. As I pointed out, it is preposterous and derisory that the columnist was writing about ‘balance’ when his focus has consistently been only on the African side, which makes up only 30% of the population; he has ignored the Amerindians, the Indians, the Chinese, etc. Oh, yes, he waved his magic wand and wrote two lines within two weeks that there should be balance in the Disciplined Forces and in the Public Service. Hurray! Feel nice! Deed done, eh?
Mr. Kissoon surmises that “there must be ethnic balance in all spheres of the paramount structures of this nation”. Sounds good; the pivotal question, however, is, what is meant by “ethnic balance”? Is it a case of dictating to the Private Sector Commission that 10% of the ads should fall within the Amerindian “ethnic mix”; 30 % of businesses should be owned by Africans; 43% of scholarships be given to Indians? That sounds like perfect balance to me; I therefore suggest we all rally around the former lecturer and crown him President!
Regarding Indians getting up early to start their day’s work, compared to others, I stand by that postulation. You don’t need to be a renowned statistician to obtain that data. Perhaps King Stut could do another research project (it won’t take much time nor money) to tell us about the sleeping, waking and working patterns of various ethnic peoples in the country. A similar study was done in Toronto in the late ‘1970s, and it made interesting reading!
I conclude by saying that I categorically deny that I am a racist. I have very sweet memories of Indians and Blacks being like one family in Mahaicony Branch Road, where I was born, and had my formative years. Villagers played cricket, attended each others’ wedding houses, and ate in each others’ homes.
Those who knew me well on the East Coast of Demerara where I spent my last years before I emigrated from Guyana could vouch for my relationship with Africans in our neighbourhood.
In 2002, I was one of the handful of Indians who attended the Emancipation Day at The National Park, and certainly the only Indian non-politician who donned (authentic!) African dashiki (from Ghana). (I think Mr. Desmond Hoyte was impressed, as he requested to have a picture taken with me!) Around that time, I needed repairs to my house, and my brother hired a carpenter from Buxton – who shared meals with us.
I have entertained dozens of African students in India, dined with them in my home, and attempted to secure financial help for African students when there was a desperate need. And one of my closest friends here in India is an African!
I exude in Indian culture, music, history, languages, mixing with and getting to know the people. However, I also love getting together with my African friends; they add colour, beauty and richness to our family’s lives.
My most important reason for not being a racist is the Biblical imperative which says, “Whoever says, “I love God,” but hates his brother is a liar. The one who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love the God whom he has not seen” 1 John 4:20.
Oh … Mr. Kissoon concluded his letter by threatening, “Let me warn Bhagwan that I belong to a group that will fight tirelessly for this all-embracing racial balance in our country and we will not accept to be intimidated in our goal”. Hey, can I join that group?
