In a previous offering we called for historical analysis of Guyana’s ethnic predicament. Even as we pursue such analysis, we must already have in mind policy prescriptions that might help the country move forward harmoniously. The foundation for such policy prescriptions must of necessity be the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which highlights the dignity and equality of every person and ordains that the will of the people shall be the basis of authority of government.
The ideas of our leaders might assist us in our quest. Others may wish to examine the perspectives of Guyana’s past and current leaders as possible sources of ideas. In this essay we shall look at the ideas of the historic pathfinder of political leadership in Guyana, Dr Cheddi Jagan, hopefully the intellectual father of today’s rulers. They need to understand the foundations he laid if they are to build on, and enhance them.
Addressing the country as President, Dr Jagan declared: “Since my return to Guyana in 1947 I have fought to reject the sins of racial discrimination and bigotry and to raise the awareness of our people. What I have stood for and fought for in my years of public life is the unity of the Guyanese people.” He embraced our national call for One People, One Nation, One Destiny, and stressed that there must be an end to all forms of racial/ethnic discrimination and an accelerated development programme for the indigenous Amerindian people.
He had a historical perspective. On the 140th anniversary of the arrival of Chinese Immigrants in Guyana, in a remarkable address focusing on ethnic harmony, he declared: “The African, Indian, Chinese, Portuguese, Amerindian, have their circumstances today governed by the colonial past. The way we live, our attitudes, to ourselves and to other ethnic groups, to society, our attitudes to life, work, death are all influenced by that period in our respective histories.
He favoured a class over a purely ethnic analysis. He stated on one occasion: “As a tool of analysis of our situation, we have a world view and a class, not racial/ethnic approach, to questions of problem-solving.” He thought that one could draw some conclusions from humanity’s struggle for advancement, notably that “freedom is indivisible; unity and solidarity are essential for our success.”
He called for a comprehensive programme to bring about racial/ethnic amity and cooperation. He felt that the basic needs of our people – food, water, health, education, housing, electricity, a clean environment, transport, should be the first priority. He considered that one of his best initiatives was the establishment of broad-based Citizen’s Committees, made up of representatives from all the political parties, religious bodies, business and professions.
On constitutional arrangements, his vision was that our state will be a Republic founded on universally acclaimed principles of freedom, equality and solidarity where the only paramount institution will be Parliament, guided by a new constitution fashioned by the Guyanese people. He advocated respect for the opposition and declared: “We are honouring conventional practice which was not put in place for me as Opposition Leader: diplomatic passport, office and staff, security guards etc.”
Human rights were a core tenet of his thinking. He called for the establishment of a Caribbean Regional Convention and Commission on Human Rights, adding: “We must fully honour the UN Covenants on Civil and Political Rights and on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Optional Protocol to those Covenants. The two Covenants must be our guiding stars. High levels of human development are generally achieved within the framework of high levels of human freedom.” He supported the Caribbean Charter of Civil Society.
He emphasised that “In this multi-ethnic society, tolerance, justice and fair play, affirmative action, and respect for each other are the values that will allow us to address this issue competently.”
He saw an important role for education: “Our education system will be geared to break down prejudices and stereotypes and to provide opportunities for everyone to acquire qualifications for jobs”. He told the Teachers’ Union, “There can be no consolidation of democracy unless teachers inculcate democratic values and principles as they go about the task of ‘moulding the Nation‘ – which is the motto of your Union.”
On policies, he emphasized: “Our policy is straight-forward: (1) We will not tolerate Racial Discrimination or Incitement. (2) We will support the preservation of our many cultures. (3) we will work to allow minority groupings to assert themselves in the socio-economic fabric of our society. (4) We will protect the life-style and heritage of our ethnic groups.
On Socio-economic life, he added: “We will investigate and categorise the ethnic origins/biases of our socio-economic life. Public discussions will follow the findings and inform the decision-making processes as we seek to redress the situation.”
On the way Guyanese speak to each other, he declared: ”I intend to have legislation introduced to identify and proscribe unacceptable ways of ethnic expressions, to proscribe actions that incite racial strife, to legislate the limits of permissible ethnic expressions and activities.”
He established an Advisory Committee on Race/Ethnic Relations, headed by Bishop George, and considered this an important initiative. He “appealed to all to desist from exploiting race and ethnicity, and fears of racial/ethnic insecurity. Above all, Guyana today needs racial/ethnic healing and harmony. We must break down prejudices and barriers. We must build our country into One People, One Nation, and One Destiny”.
He announced his intention to establish a Commission on Racial/Ethnic Equality and declared: “We will collectively strive to render harmless the biases and bigotry of the past, to redeem ourselves in the eyes of our children and neighbours and contribute to the world’s legacy of multi-cultural and multi-racial society.”
He advocated preventive diplomacy to which he accorded special importance. He thought that the way forward is through public discourse and consensus: “We must deepen the democratic system and the people’s involvement by establishing Citizens’ Committees in all communities. These will be broad, drawn from all political parties and social, cultural, religious, scientific, environmental and recreational organizations.”
He advocated a New Global Humanitarian Order: “We need not just a New World Order, but a New Global Humanitarian Order. We need governance with justice and equity.”
The good doctor’s vision was inspiring and he had concrete ideas, many of which his successors have so far not followed up on, including the following:
● Making the Universal Declaration and the Covenants on Human Rights the guiding stars of strategy.
● The adoption of a comprehensive programme to promote ethnic harmony.
● Bringing in new constitutional arrangements that would promote ethnic harmony.
● Developing educational strategies to promote ethnic harmony.
● Supporting the preservation of different cultures and protecting the life-style and heritage of our ethnic groups.
● Adopting legislation against hate speech.
● Building confidence in the commission on ethnic equality.
● The pursuit of preventive strategies and the use of preventive diplomacy.
● Developing the role of Citizens’ Committees.
● Pursuing governance with justice and equity.
Let us hope that Dr Jagan’s political heirs will wish to be faithful to, and implement his vision and strategies for ethnic harmony.
