WHEN news broke that Edward Ricardo (E.R.) Braithwaite had passed away on Monday, 12th December in the United States at age 104, it created spirited conversations among Guyanese, at home and abroad. Different people remember this great son of the soil for different reasons. That he lived a rewarding life, serving Guyana and humanity around the world, is undeniable.Braithwaite was many things-World War II veteran, diplomat, novelist, teacher, consultant, and by education a physicist. Though he was an acclaimed author of several books, fiction and non-fiction, right of the cuff many recalled his autobiography “To Sir, With Love” (1959) which was made into films and stage productions. According to him, the title was derived from a monogrammed package of cigarettes presented him as a gift by his students.
The story of Braithwaite, an African-Guyanese living in Britain, having fought in World War II as a pilot alongside his white colleagues, was to discover on his return to civilian life such experience did not translate to him being considered equal in the socio-economic order. In spite of putting his life on the line for Britain, coming from a financially well off background, educated at one of Britain’s prestigious schools (Cambridge University), he could not find employment commensurate with this resume. The lesson from Braithwaite’s story from the perspective that he refused to give up in the face of adversity is a lesson every Guyanese can learn from and emulate.
Braithwaite, who became a teacher as a matter of circumstance, refused to accept even in the face of this setback that he was lesser than. Though having to cope with white students of impressionable minds and socialised on the negative stereotypes of race, that very environment became a positive transformational experience for students and teacher. The essence of his experience in the school setting for nine years exemplified not only the character of the man, but also confirms that one can either become his environment or change his environment for the better. Evidently, it was this perspective through which Braithwaite dealt with racism, seeking not to become it, but rather crush it through knowledge which he imparted to his students and them to him. It might be recalled that when he suffered a slight injury, his students gathered around him, surprised that his blood was too red, which led to a conversation on race.
As Guyanese, where there remain strained relations on race, acts and allegations of racism (perception or reality), Braithwaite stands out as a role model of significance in how to deal with issues of race to create space and opportunity for mutual respect and admiration. Though his experience was specific to Britain, race relations are universal, likewise human nature, making his story still a valuable tool of learning and overcoming for us.
And what his passing hopefully reminds us is that his literary work could form part of the treasure in our formal education system. Where attention is being paid to national unity and social cohesion, informed by historical experiences of racial mistrust, division and discrimination, his autobiography is a valuable asset. Dave Martin, Guyana’s cultural icon, in his song “Where are your heroes?” reminds us in the Caribbean Region of this failing of ours. And where such a vacuum exists, it undermines our self-worth and growth.
It would not be unfair in saying that among us, many do not know Braithwaite and the work he did in placing Guyana on the map. This is not a fault of his, but rather an amplification of our tendency to overlook the treasures within our midst, often only falling in line when they attract international recognition. Similarly, it would be remiss not to acknowledge much of what is being known about Braithwaite is coming from foreign reportage. This fact also reinforces the primacy that ought to be given in getting this aspect of our culture in order, as a matter of national policy.
Braithwaite was fittingly rewarded, and dare it be said belatedly, in 2012 with the Cacique Crown of Honour for lifetime achievement. He was among the first in newly independent Guyana that presented an image of us and advanced our foreign policy on an international stage, serving as Ambassador to the United Nations and Venezuela. In more than one way,Braithwaite was and remains a positive influence every Guyanese can be proud of and should seek to emulate.