I have to meekly concede. My consistent indiscipline makes me again, intervene, intrude into what Dr David Hinds describes as “essentially black people’s business”. I apologise, sir.
Two Sunday happenings stimulated my interest to interfere (in this “people of African descent year”). Firstly I read the Sunday Stabroek editorial Commemoration (Feb 27, 2011). Secondly, later the same Sunday I caught just a few remarks on television from Hugh Tommy Payne, Guyanese historian. Contrary to what a few African-Guyanese – folks might perceive, I love describing myself as “a Black-minded Indian-Guyanese”. Not facetious! But true! So I express my right to responsible but provocative comment. Hereunder.
African revolt, African freedom
I was familiar with the editorial writer’s finding about the real beginning of the mighty 1763 Berbice rebellion for many years.
Thorough research here, in London and, importantly, the Dutch archives in The Hague reveals historical evidence that February 27 ought to have attracted more significance than the 23rd, which both Mr Burnham and Dr Jagan, in good faith, erroneously accepted.
But my interest is in the 1763 rebellion and the perspective the editorial writer touched on. That house slave Kofi and his military colleagues could even conceptualise the elements of a revolution plan for it and execute many tactical battles in Berbice – against, seasoned, well-armed and fortified Dutch – with actual victories and long-term demographic economic and political projections, before disunity, disease, weather and Dutch strategies led to the rebels’ defeat.
Berbice 1763 was some three decades before Haiti’s success. Guyanese, especially those of African descent, should be proud of the revolutionary effort of 1763. All that’s written should be studied, in original or simplified form. Knowledge should inspire pride, ’tho I’ll always argue that pride alone cannot achieve. The tangible and the practical must take place!
No wonder someone just wrote that both Guyana and Haiti, the cradles of revolution for slavery’s freedom in the region are now the poorest nations in these parts. Is history punishing us for being so “obstreperous”?
Then Tommy Payne’s few remarks which I caught, reminded me of the freed Africans’ verve and persistence after 1838’s freedom.
Apprenticeship’s savings were mobilised to establish not only a structured local government system, but planted the seeds, literally, of an agricultural economy before the colonial authorities washed/drowned it away, again almost literally.
It’s fascinating to read of Governors Hincks and Irving’s wicked interventions to wrest political authority and self-determination from the freed Africans. Read Brian L Moore to appreciate the struggles and protests of the free people of Plaisance, Buxton, Friendship, Ithaca, Agricola and Bagotstown, as they attended to the manipulation of their rates and taxes and decision-making.
Tommy Payne touched on the later culture of the African communities when everyone was the other’s keeper. Of course, we know how and why the descendants of those Africans turned from the land, to the professions, civil service, arts and trades. Again, they were the pioneers. Then, what happened?
The descendants today
Look, I won’t go on with respect to the status of African-Guyanese in Guyana these days. I appreciate how complex, how sensitive the reasons for the position and stature of groups can be. I’ll merely tickle your thoughts with my usual “provocations.”
To me, African-Guyanese made drastically poor decisions when they turned away from the land leaving, virtually, Indian-Guyanese to farm and own lands and real estate. Yes, I know the issue of Crown Lands and African-owned estates being appropriated. The land reparation issue is supposed to be pursued this year. But I’m talking about attitude. The relationship with agriculture as against the offices and uniforms.
And yes, I can understand charges of discrimination by unfriendly governments against Africans with renewed interest, (Whatever happened to Lumumba’s “Empowerment” role?) Again, even as I suspect that loans and concessions could be denied, where is the spirit of 1838 – 1845? When Guyanese want a car or a house built, why is it that a certain group must come in? Where are your Diaspora support groups for fundamental long-term assistance? Discuss.
Our own military president
One thing that strikes me, this non-voter, about David Granger since Saturday, is that the candidate is behaving “presidentially” already.
He mixes his scholarly, intellectual demeanour with muted military bearing. He claims not to be a “politician” but strikes the correct political postures when promising to take care of retirees, seniors, teachers, his other public employees and so on.
His old and current military buddies exude pride and confidence when he speaks of looking after them and re-introducing a form of National Service for the youth. Great stuff so far, even for a non-voter. I’d love to see him representing our country in the world’s international fora. Man, the military comrades loved his appearance at Buxton the other night. But I have one minor concern.
Granger is going to use all his historian skills to exonerate Forbes Burnham’s excesses. He is going to attempt to compare the excesses of the PPP and PNC, subtly and openly concluding that Burnham’s PNC “has nothing to apologise for”. Having been in the Belly of the Beast for one extended period, I, like Raphael Trotman, know that that couldn’t be so. Mind you, all that is not going to count against him with this generation. The new voters know only the current executive excesses and mischief.
Meanwhile, I join in congratulating the People’s National Congress for the new political culture it ushered in on Saturday. It couldn’t be at all easy to cheat the brigadier, so a breath of political democratic fresh air was blown across Congress Place. May it resonate throughout the land! (The poor AFC must recognize trouble!) The brigadier begins!
Ponder upon…
Will Granger choose a young, soft-haired female as running mate? Or Clarissa Hookumchand-Rhiel? Or Joe Singh? Or an Amerindian Guyanese? Ho-Ho-Ho!
Coming Next week: the workers of Wisconsin!
The sun came out whole day February 23 last, encouraging the PPP/C reveller to declare “Even God go vote PPP later this year!”
Get a copy of AA Fenty’s “Plate – A Guyana Cook-up.”
’Til next week
allanafenty@yahoo.com
