Dear Editor
LIKE illicit drug-dealers, desperate Afro-centric power seekers peddle their toxic brand of racism with zealousness and frantic expectations that some Guyanese would become addicted to their hallucinogenic notions and fantasies of hate and dispassion. Take for example Henry Jeffrey’s article in which the writer ridiculously scrambled for evidence to support David Hinds’ caustic degradation of Afro-Guyanese.

First, Jeffrey defended David Hinds’ use of the derogatory terms ‘house slaves,’ ‘uncle tom’ and ‘lick bottom’ to describe Afro-Guyanese who support the PPP. Jeffrey claims the terms to be “useful tools that have been around for centuries.” Given his intelligence, Jeffrey ought to be aware that the descendants of enslaved Africans the world over deem such terms insulting and dehumanising. And yet, Jeffrey insisted that, “Hinds’ barbs are warranted.”

Knowing that barbs are ‘critical remarks that are intended to hurt,’ why would a supposedly intelligent Afro-Guyanese consider it warranted to hurt his fellow Afro-Guyanese? Is it because of Jeffrey’s desperation to ‘plug the hemorrhaging’ of dwindling political support? If that was his intent, why did he continue to degrade himself by stating that the PPP is “set upon making a concerted effort to capture the African pastors.” How much more insulting can one be? Jeffrey surely knows that it was the Colonizers who “captured” Africans for purposes of enslavement, not the PPP.

In fact, the PPP supports the economic success and upliftment of Africans. Perhaps Jeffrey, Hinds, and other Afro-centric peddlers of racist politics can learn from the lived experiences of other Afro-Guyanese who are not wedded to, or subscribe to, the tenets of racism. The following is an example of some Guyanese lived experiences.

On a night flight out of Timehri – current Jagan Airport – Scar, an older Afro-Guyanese gentleman, and Buddy, a young Indo-Guyanese happened to be seated next to each other. Once at flying altitude, Scar ordered a drink of rum-and-coke for himself and one for Buddy after Buddy politely accepted his offer. Sipping their drinks, the two then engaged in a conversation about themselves and their destinations. Disembarking in Trinidad for their overnight stay, the two exchanged addresses, to which Scar said to Buddy “let’s keep in touch.”

Back in college in Puerto Rico, Buddy wrote often to Scar, who worked as Chief of Security for the Bauxite refinery on the island of St. Croix. In his responses, Scar regularly inquired from Buddy about his studies and himself. After a few exchanges, Scar letters took on a fatherly tone as the two learnt more about each other.

With the Summer break from college approaching, Buddy asked Scar for his assistance in obtaining summer employment so he could earn some supplemental funds for his schooling. Scar’s response brought tears to Buddy’s eyes. He informed Buddy that he would not only arrange for him to work, but also that Buddy can reside with him instead of renting a room. Arriving in St. Croix, Scar arranged for Buddy to work as an electrical assistant at the Bauxite refinery while the two shared residence.

During their ten-week stay together, Scar invited Buddy to accompany him on weekend visits to his friends, the Coreys, DeHarts, Stephens, Rosses, Neil, and Paul. Buddy also considered it fortunate to spend two weeks with Mrs. Scar (Barb) and their young son Linden, whom Scar named after Forbes Burnham.

Aware that Buddy did not eat beef or pork, Scar made sure Buddy selected his desired food items when they went grocery shopping. And, throughout the summer, Scar and Buddy shared meals, drinks, each other’s company, and lengthy evening discussions on personal experiences, and Guyana’s politics. As Scar reminisced on his life as a Police Superintendent in Guyana, he explained to Buddy how he was summoned from his post in Springland-Skeldon to go to Wismar during the 1964 riots. Upon seeing the brutality and plight of Indo-Guyanese at the hands of mobs of angry Afro-Guyanese, Scar told Buddy he knew drastic actions were necessary to save the lives of the hundreds of Indo-Guyanese fleeing their blazing home and angry mobs. So, he supervised a purported arrest of all Indo-Guyanese, and for them to be taken to the fenced cricket ground, with local police and British soldiers serving as guards. As Scar recalled this past, he lamented to Buddy the loss of Indo-Guyanese lives during the Wismar riots, especially the atrocities of some Afro-Guyanese who committed on Indo-Guyanese women and children.

Upon listening to Scar, Buddy asked him if he had afterthoughts. Scar replied that ‘the people should not listen, or be swayed, by those who preach racism and hate, and that the politics of racism is a destructive force in the lives of Afro and Indo-Guyanese.’

At the end of the summer Buddy returned to college, and Scar returned to Guyana a few years after where he served as head of one of the National Service centres. Disillusioned, he returned to St. Croix where he reconnected with Buddy who happened to move there. They continued their relationship for two years, after which Buddy and his family left the island. A few weeks after Scar passed at age eighty-five, Mrs. Scar wrote to Buddy that Scar had hoped to see him before his passing. Regretfully, with a wife and two children, and still in graduate school, Buddy, struggling financially, couldn’t visit Scar, a regret he harbors to this day.

Now told, it should be noted that Scar is the late Oscar Carmichael, his wife is Aunty Barbara, his son is Dr. Linden Carmichael, and Buddy is me.

And, to the peddlers of racism such as Hinds, Norton, Lawrence etc., please note that there are numerous Afro-Guyanese Oscar Carmichaels and aunty Barbaras in your midst, people whose affection and understanding transcend racist propaganda, hate and indifference. Hence Afro-centric racist propaganda would not become the opiate of all Afro-Guyanese.

Regards
Narayan Persaud, PhD
Professor Emeritus.