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African victory in Guyana?

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Messenger: GARVEYS AFRICA Sent: 5/11/2015 2:39:23 PM
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today may be the day the 5 party coalition representing the African Guyanese may take victory against the oppressive powers that be. May the ancestors influence today's end result.

Guyana is ethnically divided, with people of Indian descent historically backing the PPP/C and those of African descent backing opposition parties.

For those who are not familiar with the racial politics / war in Guyana then here is a short piece. As we see Guyana is very similar to Trini....

_______________________________


Conflict between East-Indian and Blacks in Trinidad and Guyana
Socially, Economically and Politically

by Gabrielle Hookumchand
Professor Moses Seenarine
May 18, 2000
Intro to Caribbean History

September 2000

Caribbean history comprises of a long and tumultuous colonial past. Guyana and Trinidad both have a rich
cultural past, however, it is a history tat has been marred by it’s own people its adopted natives. Much of both
countries’ history has been soiled: First by the race issues created by the Europeans ten secondly by petty
jealousies each race, East Indian and African, had towards each other. But let my point about the ethnic divide
be put with more focus: the two races are the two main groups in these two countries are East Indian and
Blacks. My country Guyana’s motto is "One People, One Nation, One Destiny" and likewise Trinidad’s motto
is "Together we Aspire Together we Achieve" it is indeed ironic that this is far from true.

Trinidad’s makeup is 39.6% African and 40.3% East Indian vis-A-vis Guyana’s ethnic make-up 51% East Indian and 43% AfroGuyanese.’ While Guyana and Trinidad are not located in the similar geographic location sharing a similar ethnic makeup has resulted in a similar past and most likely a future where racial conflict will continue undoubtedly to affect their society. This racial divide has detrimentally affected both countries; the effects can be noticed socially, economically and politically. It will continue unless there is more regard for this fragile coexistence between East Indian and African.

One might ask how are these two countries are easily comparable since they are not located in similar
geographic settings, one an island the other a mainland country, however there are many characteristics
common to both countries. Guyana and Trinidad have experienced major similarities in development of their
societies. Both were British colonies. Africans were enslaved in both countries and Indians brought to be
indentured to replace them. Both Indian and African are the two major ethnic groups. Both are characterized
by a high degree of conflict between the two major ethic groups, and the organization of their political system
along virtually rigid etimic lines.

The need for cheap labor landed both groups, Indian and African by chance in the Caribbean. Africans were
brought to these two countries and were enslaved on sugar and cotton plantations from the 17th century until
the early 19th century when the slave trade ended. Slavery was abolished in both colonies in 1833.
(Hintzen 1989) East Indians were imported into the two colonies as indentured laborers to replace Africans on
the plantations. Racial stereotypes developed early in the two colonies. British planters characterized Africans
as physically strong but lazy and irresponsible. East Indians were stereotyped as industrious but clannish and
greedy. Views that are still present today. To feel sleepy after eating is referred to in and around the Caribbean
as having "niggeritis", a direct allusion to the lazinessof Africans. To some extent, these stereotypes were
accepted by the immigrant groups themselves, each giving truths to positive stereotypes of itself and negative
stereotypes of other groups. They believed what was said of the other group but none of what was said of them.
The stereotypes provided a useable explanation of behavior and justified competition among groups. Africans
were described as indolent when they refused to work for low wages or make long-term contracts with the
plantations as the Indians had. East Indians were considered selfish when they minimized their expenses to
acquire wealth.

In modem Guyana, the connection of behavior with ethnicity is less rigid than it was in colonial days. Where
once there was a sharp and uniform distinction between behavior considered "British" and behavior
considered "coolie,’ now there is a range of situations that can receive different ethnic labels in different
situations. Acting "coolie" in a situation would be something as simple as wearing an uncoordinated colorful
outfit. Or typifying "British" behavior would be refusing from using the local Creole and speaking the Queens
English. What is considered ‘British" in a rural village might be considered "coolie" in the towns. In addition to
stereotyping, the colonial value system that favored European beliefs, specifically British, ideals, has been
encouraged. Euro centric beliefs were promoted by the colonial education system, which idealized British
customs. The ex-slaves, who perceived their Christianity, as proof that they too were as civilized as the British
accepted the superiority of British culture. Since the late 19th century, the emerging middle class of urban
AfroGuyanese and Indo-Guyanese developed a nationalist ideology based largely on British values. They
claimed a place in society because they met standards that had been set by the British.

Ethnic perception among these separate groups has emerged from the divisions of color, religion, place of
residence, and occupation. Problems started with the white colonists and were further perpetuated by early
leaders. In these two countries the policies of ethnic rule changed from politics based on ethnic preference to
politics based on ethnic dominance. Both groups became envious of each other’s successes. In both countries
there existed a high degree of racial exclusivity in residential concentration of the population in villages,
communities, and in villages, communities, and in broader geographic areas. (Hintzen, 1989) [A phenomenon
which emphasized economic separation.] Simply put, the two groups hardly mingled. Communities are either
solely African or solely Indian; it is only in the more urban areas that they are more integrated communities.
This is a problem that still affects these countries, the lack of intermingling.

Politics in Trinidad followed a similar pattern with Guyana where there was a period of brief cooperation
followed by an increased separation along racial lines. In Trinidad before the Second World War a small white
elite dominated politics, in the absence of class mobilization, political leaders used race to mobilize the support
of large, voting blocs. As independence from British colonial rale seemed to becoming to an end in Trinidad,
the white population was centered on a single party the Political Progress Group (PPG). After the Second War,
adult voting was introduced to the colony. Blacks formed the West Indian National Party (WINP), succeeded by
the Caribbean Socialist Party. An African Urial Butler formed the Butler Party, which in the first elections in
1950 carried a huge Indian vote. It was here racial issues first played a role in the political circle. Butler was
unable to retain his familiarity with his East Indian supporters and they broke away and formed the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP). Prior to this event there was no unified black political organization. The African
intellectuals of Trinidad fearful of what could result from the formation of the PDP and thus reacted defensively
at the impending threat of a unified Indian party. (Hintzen, 1989) In 1956, a former history professor Eric
Williams formed the People’s National Movement (PNM), the AfroTrinidadian Party. By independence in
1962, Eric Williams headed the country. The Trinidadian PNM regime that came to power in 1956 lasted
until 1986, continuing even after Eric William’s death in 1981.

Racial issues had destroyed any possibility of lower class solidarity, where ideological viewpoints would
replace racial identification. Ideological appeals to class during the early phase of the nationalist movement
served more as an adhesive holding these racially diversified groups together, rather than as a basis for the
compression of a confederated mass movement. Race became the preeminent ingredient in the organization
of popular political participation. (Hintzen 1989)

The shift to racial politics first became noticeable in Trinidad upon the introduction of adult voting rights. In
Trinidad, "The 1956 elections established the pattern of politics for some three decades: ethnic affiliation
determined party preference, and a bifurcated Creole-Indian policy thus emerged, lacking unity and surviving
on sectional legitimacy." (Hintzen, 1989) To galn support of the masses, one of the tactics used in developing
racial politics was that leaders made use of patterns of social groups which was worthwhile considering the
existing racial make-up.

The 1957 elections in Guyana held under a new constitution gave light to the growing ethnic division within the
Guyanese electorate. The People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had two wings, one headed by Linden Forbes
Sampson Buniham, the other by Jagan. The 1957 elections were won by Japan’s PPP faction. The party’s
main supporters were increasingly identified as Indo-Guyanese: more rice land improved union representation
in the sugar industry, and improved business opportunities and more government jobs for lndo-Guyanese. The
PPP soon stopped being a multiracial party; it was an Indo-Guyanese party. Another important element was
soon added to the developing tension.


In the early 1900’s Garveyism and other black intellectuals began to preach "Africa for Africans" which spurred
a great resurgence in Afro-centricity and black pride, which furthered the divide between Indian and black.
Almost simultaneously there was resurgence in regaining ties with India. Indo Guyanese and Indo Trinidadian
women began wearing Indian garb. These factors all compounded to widening the divide between these two
races. In Trinidad, the black pride resurgence led to the February Revolt, which at first was a labor dispute then
incorporated racial overtones. An IndoTrinidadian said this in regards to the resurgence of Black Pride and
power:

The Black Power leaders underestimated the importance of these divisions, and failed to provide the
necessary groundwork within the Indian community. The term "black" moreover, generally referred to persons
of predominantly African descent. Most Indians did not regard themselves as being black. In a letter to the
editor, for example an Indian writer responded negatively to having been categorized as such by the Black
Power Movement:

"I object to being black.. Indian belong to the Caucasian or "white" race... why then call Indians black?"
... You the Black Power members are asking us to join you in your march for power.. Your sudden
interest in the East Indian sugar worker is viewed with suspicion... We are not prepared to support you."

A statement only proving that there ill feelings towards each other are still present. Black Power or even Indian
Power has no place in Guyana and Trinidad, although it advances both peoples, it ignores the existence, of
each other. A concept that will only destroy the slow integration process that already exists here: an integration,
which is anxiously anticipated by both groups.

Since independence in 1963, two characteristics have dominated Guyanese society and politics; the presence
of strong political personalities (Cheddi Jagan, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Desmond Hoyte) and
ethnic and racial divisions based on mutual suspicion and manipulation by these strong personalities. At the
same time, the struggle for political ascendancy between Burnham, the "Man on horseback" the hero of the
Afro-Guyanese, and Jagan, the hero of the Indo-Guyanese masses, left a legacy of racially polarized politics
that remained in place in the 1990’s. (Merrill, 1993) The race politics practiced in Guyana, where political
majoritanism aligned one group against another was extremely harmful to the country.

The result of the enactment policy in Guyana caused an almost civil war, where blacks burnt the businesses of
Indo-Guyanese, and during the ensuing melee, hundreds of Africans and East Indians lost their lives. More
recently in Guyana, there was an increase in racial tensions, where they were looting and ransacking of homes
and businesses by both sides. Many similarities as can be found between these two countries there is one
difference. Racial conflicts in Trinidad had never reached the serious levels it did in Guyana where Guyana
was almost propelled into Civil War. However, ethnic conflicts have in fact been increasing in recent years,
and have tended to increase as greater contact and communication is made between the two groups as it is
in Guyana and Trinidad.

Socially, taboos regarding intermarrying led to the preferences for straight hair vs. what is considered "nappy"
hair. The cultural development of the East Indian populations in Guyana and Trinidad took on a character that
was quite distinctive. Unlike the rest of the racial groups in both colonies, East Indians have remained attached
to their religion. Hinduism and Islam and to the broader cultural tapping associated with these religions.


Guyana and Trinidad class can be divided as such:

An upper class of large businessmen and large planters. An upper middle class of professionals, owners of
medium-sized businesses, college levels educators, corporate managers, and senior bureaucrats in the public
sector and leaders of voluntary organizations. A lower middle class of small businessmen, primary and
secondary school teachers, white collar workers (in private business, in civil administration, and in the
parastatals), skilled workers, and owners of medium-sized farms. A rural lower class of small peasants,
agricultural laborers, seasonal and short-term migrant laborers and the rural unemployed. An urban lower
class of unskilled and semi-skilled urban laborers and the substantial number of urban unemployed. Few
Whites, Mulattos and the majority, East Indians make up the more successful upper half The lower shared by
blacks. (Hintzen 1989)


http://www.guyana.org/features/conflicts_indiansandblacks.html


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-32688776


Messenger: VoodooRuutz Sent: 5/12/2015 12:06:46 AM
Reply

One thing really stood out to me, "the Indians stuck to their religion and culture that goes with it"


Get back to ours atleast some form of it and we shall forward!

Look at Haiti and all da Kromanti dem against the brutal forces

Ancestors guide still!


Messenger: GARVEYS AFRICA Sent: 5/14/2015 2:11:23 PM
Reply

Moa Anbessa

Now 'raise ants nest'





BREAKING: Prelim results show APNU+AFC wins elections by 5,360 votes
BY NEWSNOW STAFF · MAY 14, 2015

The Preliminary results of the 2015 General and Regional Elections show that the APNU+AFC Coalition has managed to win the elections in an upset victory to the People’s Progressive Party/Civic which has been in power for the last 23 years.

The results released moments ago by the Guyana Elections Commission shows that the APNU+AFC has managed to gain 206, 817 votes while the PPP/C has managed to gain 201,457 votes in the May 11 national polls.

According to the Commission there are just the preliminary results and the Returnign Officers of some districts are conducting recounts.

CEO Keith Lowenfield said that any variance would not be significant would not be significant.

Chairman Dr Steve Surjubally said it would not alter the outcome of the elections.


Messenger: Sint esse aliquam i Sent: 6/29/2020 2:24:49 AM
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Have a look at the news of this website and messages as well to know about the victory of the Africans. To get notifications assignment www.myassignmentwriting.com.au is a platform that keeps us up to date.


Messenger: Black Christ in Flesh Sent: 6/29/2020 6:26:50 AM
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Tribal war in a politics is a mental slavery, because politics is the devil's work. Police and soldier them a devil. Politician and president them a devil. Nuff respected voter and election official them a devil them. Fire burn the whole a them.


Messenger: Black Christ in Flesh Sent: 6/29/2020 6:28:15 AM
Reply

Nuff civilian in a country them a devil them. Nuff babylonian in a ghetto them a devil them. Nuff man and woman inna city them a devil. Wicked fe earthquake


Messenger: Black Christ in Flesh Sent: 6/29/2020 10:46:06 AM
Reply

Nuff civilian inna countryside a satan. Nuff government man and woman and prostitute inna ghetto them a devil them. Nuff man and woman inna city them a Lucifer serpent viper.


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