IN MY long life, I have been called and referred to as Chinese, Chinee, Buck, Buck Man, and Black Chinese Man, all of which never bothered me, even for a moment.

I suppose that in my naiveté, I believed that the caller was only being genuinely perceptive in the way he/she wished to express his or herself and, whichever appellation, it was always used without rancor, as far as I could  discern.Pragmatism instructs that we had no choice in the nature of our birth; the fact is we are what we are, be it white, black, brown, red or specific nationality. This fact cannot be escaped, which leaves me to question the wisdom, if it can be so described, of becoming resentful if you are identified by the colour of your skin. This happens, I suppose, very often in everyday verbal dialoguing: Just think of it in practical terms, because how else can you identify a person amongst a small group of mixed Guyanese comprising Chinese, Indian, African, Portuguese, Amerindian and mixed individuals; or put it in common parlance – chinee man, coolie man, black man, potagee man and red man; admittedly all derogative, but for whatever reason it only becomes offensive to the African when he/she is identified as a black person.

I know that this is very controversial, but I truly believe that indulging in racial dialogue is argumentative and becomes offensive to those who are motivated by inferior complexes, and it baffles me to understand why this question is permitted to be devoted to national priority, as is the case of the American basketball owner. To pursue with racial dialogue only serves to promote an issue that will be filled with animosity, leading to questionable conclusions. It is simply a topic for simple minds and should not occupy the time of sensible, busy, progressive people.

In any event, we should individually be very proud of our inherited God-given racial characteristics; and I am reminded of the words of one popular song, which says something like “young, gifted and black”, the lyrics of which especially I find very uplifting.

To be open-minded on this issue is to be progressive and leaves us to concentrate on far more rewarding pursuits, like building a united Guyana.
Written By David DeGroot