ACCORDING to the Ministry of the Presidency (MoTP), President David Granger’s Public Information and Press Services Officer is the subject of a probe into an alleged racially derogatory term used on her facebook page in describing fellow ministry workers. This matter brings to the fore several issues and more so, points attention to the importance of the country proceeding in handling it an atmosphere of frank and honest conversations.
Where this society was founded, built, and nurtured on racial segregation, false notions of inferiority and superiority, facilitated by a politics of divide and rule, the pains and scars inflicted from these experiences go back centuries. At the same time the society for its development cannot be stuck in the past, nor can laws to bring racial respect and harmony be made meaningful in the absence of systems to enforce, which also include education.
Unlearning offensive racial behaviours will not necessarily be achieved solely by laws that prohibit and punish such conduct. Learnt behaviours are hard to unlearn and where some may engage in such acts, because it has become ‘acceptable’ or ignored, does not make it universally acceptable. Another factor too, where leaders in society escape accountability for engaging in debased conduct, be it language, policies and programmes, they give voice to the masses thinking such behaviours are acceptable.

It is noted that the issue understandably attracted the ire of a PPP/C Member of Parliament (MP) who is calling for the staff member’s dismissal and the undergoing of a period of racial rehabilitation. Such call from the MP may be surprising, given that he is publicly known for making offensive racial and racist remarks. It is therefore hoped that the justified outrage is not selective, because of who allegedly said it and to whom it was allegedly directed. This brings to the fore, concern that there are different standards for different people. Should such be accepted as the norm it will never see the nation rising to the level where certain conversations are taboo and all who engage in such equally attract our ire.
Society would recall during the 2015 General and Regional Elections, Mr. Bharrat Jagdeo’s campaign rhetoric was not only clothed in the proverbial racial dog whistle, but so comfortable was he and accepting of it by the PPP/C’s leadership that it became a mobilising call. There is no excuse for the alleged expression of the staff member, and it is comforting that the MoTP has distanced itself from such conduct, though it is fair to say accountability must be across the board, more so by leaders and those in the corridors of power. The Ministry of Social Cohesion may find this issue worthwhile to spark national conversations of perception and reception, linguistic dehumanisation, and how each can be addressed to move the process beyond such malpractices being on statute books to that of living the reality.

Ours is a society where persons are quick to accuse others of engaging in racism when they address issues pertaining to their race, particularly instances where they perceive discrimination against the group exists, be it real or contrived. This brings attention to the national importance of understanding the universal definition and practices of racism. We have been conditioned to refer to groups by derogatory names and aspects of their culture treated with similar disregard.
In many instances, while Guyana has achieved independence and republican status and the equality of all a matter of law, the imprisonment of the mind in eras before these significant dates still inform interpretation of issues, acceptance and rejection of others and their unique customs and inherent characteristics. The sensitivity needed to tackle issues of race and racism cannot be ignored, given that the last thing Guyanese should want is to make bad situations or experiences worse.

To the extent that race continues to be ignored and argued, by the rank and file and in the hierarchy, that it doesn’t matter it makes worse any effort to look at the issues and discriminatory treatments that flow therefrom in a progressive manner. Denial of the existence of race contributes to denial of all its antecedents — positive and negatives — opportunities to promote racial equality and confront racism.
If there is to be a positive from the alleged Facebook incident, it is recognition that in a multiracial society ostrich-like approaches to dealing with race, racism and its sensitivity will not address the issues of concern and another century will pass us stuck in or not far removed from the 15th century when the slave society was created. In short, there exists the option to be progressive and come into the 21st century or remain behind.