What could have led to so auspicious an occasion being slighted with such disdain by the media houses present? Could it be that the cancer of African marginalization has attacked these media houses? Or could it be just plain lack of awareness of the meaning to humanity of this proclamation by the United Nations? Could it be just downright contempt for things African? Was it an inability to deal with the elevated aspiration of African people discussed in the proceedings? Is it evidence that “racism, its contemporary forms and manifestations, and xenophobia [have] gained, moral” acceptance in Guyana? Would the launching of a Diwali or Amerindian or other ethnic activity have been treated this way? Could it be that the African identity is so unimportant in Guyana?
The UN has settled the issues of African marginalization not only here in Guyana but worldwide when, in the resolution to which we are giving effect, it says that it makes the proclamation “with a view to strengthening national actions and regional and international cooperation for the benefit of people of African descent in relation to their full enjoyment… their participation and integration in all political, economic, social and cultural aspects of society, and the promotion of a greater knowledge of and respect for their diverse heritage and culture.” This declaration of the as The International Year for People of African Descent has been influenced by the need to give effect to many declarations and prescriptions issued at the UN level but which continue to be largely ignored. For instance the UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance in article 34 of the conference’s declaration says “We recognize that people of African descent have for centuries been victims of racism, racial discrimination and enslavement and of the denial by history of many of their rights,” and prescribes “… that they should be treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and should not suffer discrimination of any kind. Recognition should therefore be given to their rights to culture and their own identity… to development in the context of their own aspirations and customs; to keep, maintain and foster their own forms of organization, their mode of life, culture, traditions and religious expressions; to maintain and use their own languages; to the protection of their traditional knowledge and their cultural and artistic heritage; to the use, enjoyment and conservation of the natural renewable resources of their habitat and to active participation in the design, implementation and development of educational systems and programmes, including those of a specific and characteristic nature; and where applicable to their ancestrally inhabited land.”
The conference prescribes the role of the media in such circumstances. In article 88 it says “We recognize that the media should represent the diversity of a multicultural society and play a role in fighting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.” It further speaks to the issue of community media in article 93 by saying, “We affirm that all States should recognize the importance of community media that give a voice to victims of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance…” Whatever the answers are to the questions in paragraph two above, the non-publication of the proceedings on Friday 19th indicates that the media have to be more enlightened and sensitive in their dealings with African affairs in Guyana. The media here have abandoned their sacred responsibility of giving voice to the voiceless and acting as their watchdog. Dr Kimani Nehusi pointed out with great clarity and pinpointed the stigmatization of African identity by the historical practice of African name-changing to European and Arab naming to become acceptable to Christian and Muslim culture. The Durban Declaration says “We reaffirm that the stigmatization of people of different origins by acts or omissions of public authorities, institutions, the media, political parties or national or local organizations is not only an act of racial discrimination but can also incite the recurrence of such acts.” Further the Declaration calls for the condemnation of such acts. The media would have lost a great opportunity to give meaning to this vaunted human expression and open themselves to be accused of racial discrimination and just condemnation.
The Chairman of the Committee in revealing the committee’s plans for next year highlighted that “The launching represents a broadening of the participation and widening of the public sensitization to the year 2011 being designated the International Year for People of African Descent.” The role of the media in this respect is of immense importance as it is the most effective mass communication device available to the community. Many still do not believe that the United Nations has made such a declaration and many more are unaware.
At the launching the issue of a Ministry of African Affairs was raised. RDC Chairman Mr Mortimer Mingo endorsed fully the committee’s call for the updating and implementation of the Region 10 Development Strategy as a part of the year’s activities. Non-implementation of this strategy from the expressions contained in the Durban Declaration can be construed as discrimination against a region whose populace is predominantly African. This aberration reminds us of the need for, and leads to a call for the dismantling of the state monopoly of local broadcasting in Region 10 and the issuance of licences to persons desirous of broadcasting in the region.
Yours faithfully,
Jonathan Adams
