Dear Editor,
Not only because it’s Guyana’s Golden Jubilee year, but also with 2015-2024 marking the UN International Decade for People of African Descent, the University of Westminster Students’ Union (UWSU) on 22nd October hosted London’s only Golden Jubilee conference to address Guyana’s post-colonial legacy.
The conference, of about seventy people, reviewed Rodney’s scholar-activism around the theme ‘The Legacy of Walter Rodney for Africa and people of African descent’, in particular the bridging of Guyana’s ethnic divides, and current student and intellectual activism.
A stirring drumming rendition by ten-year-old Moses, of Guyanese heritage, opened proceedings.
Two speakers also of Guyanese heritage followed. Prof Richard Drayton, Rhodes Professor of Imperial History at Kings College London, reviewed Rodney’s work which so powerfully helped shape post-colonial debate about capitalism, race and class. He recalled how Rodney’s activism and intellectual power were influenced by his early experiences in those heady times of nations emerging from colonial pasts into self-governing futures; of labour movements; intellectual resistance; the Pan-African movement; self-determination.
Dr Maria del Pilar Kaladeen, University of London Associate Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies gave a forensic analysis of A History of the Guyanese Working People which added a unique dimension and exemplified what an “unemployed” persecuted academic can do. For the ruling elites, Rodney’s work encapsulated and promoted dangerous ideas, for which he eventually paid the ultimate price ‒ assassinated in 1980 aged thirty-eight.
Two African-heritage young men, Bekeowei Okoro, Black and Minority Ethnic Officer at UWSU and Dauda Barry, Founder of Queen Mary University of London Pan-African Society represented current UK student activism, as movements such as ‘Rhodes Must Fall’ and ‘Why is my Curriculum White?’ unfold.
Rodney’s primary focus was always on working people. He never compromised on the idea of class unity across racial divides. This did not sit well with the post-colonial ruling powers, reflecting as they mostly did, thinking and scholarship that continues to be dominated by Europe/ America, serving international imperialism and dominating, rather than liberating, their own people. He believed that the only way for authentic radical policies and practices to develop and take hold, was to bring together the experience and knowledge of intellectuals and the broad masses of working people. Fast forward across the intervening years to 2016, and it could be argued that sadly, there is not much evidence of organised Guyanese grassroots taking charge of their own future.
This ex-pat Guyanese is left with burning 21st century questions. Is it even possible to deliver a brave political alternative that refuses to accept the current narrative? Do Guyanese want to see the kind of Guyana that Rodney was working towards?
How active are our academics in researching and helping to develop inclusive, unifying policies that propel Guyana’s ongoing reconstruction? Have our institutions really progressed, or do they still reflect colonial-era political, cultural, social and economic dominations?
Are Guyanese working people educated and enabled to be involved in this process? Is the History of the Guyanese Working People being taught in our educational institutions? It empowered people before, can it do so again? How are the current elites addressing the challenges of combining their efforts with those of working people and academics, to help Guyana progress for the benefit of all?
Throughout the conference there was, in this writer’s opinion, a large elephant in the room. The Commission of Inquiry (CoI) into Rodney’s murder, eventually set up in 2014, completed its work and produced its report earlier this year. The report clearly implicates “agencies of the state” and “the political directorate” in the killing of Walter Rodney, including the then prime minister, Forbes Burnham. As yet, no significant action has been taken. The report has not been formally made public.
That the report was not raised in the Q&A session of the conference, may perhaps reflect how successful the Guyana government has been in shutting the whole matter down. So once again, the status quo dictates the narrative.
The ongoing Justice for Walter Rodney Change.org petition exists to pressure the Guyana government on this matter and the full CoI report is available at: www.digitalcommoms.auctr.edu/wrcoi/
In conclusion, if events like this conference are to move beyond intellectual exercises, it is necessary to take some action. Otherwise what, really, is the legacy of Rodney’s work for us all today? This writer hopes that at the very least, the conference was perhaps one seed sown.
Yours faithfully,
Eve Drayton Hill
