Dr David Hinds, university lecturer and political commentator, has just released his first book Race and Political Discourse in Guyana: A Conversation with African Guyanese in the presence and hearing of Indian Guyanese.
The book, a compilation of essays on race and politics in Guyana, addresses topical issues such as Racial Insecurity and Triumphalism, African Guyanaese Marginalization, the Kean Gibson book [The Cycle of Racial Discrimination in Guyana] , and Racial Extremism Militarism, in particular the Buxton-based violence and the Phantom Squad. There is an introduction by Eusi Kwayana and Forewords by Clarence Ellis and Eric Phillips .
According to Dr Hinds:
“This small book is part of my commitment to public education and action. This is my treatment of a small slice of Guyana’s turbulent, yet instructive political reality. Instructive because it points to the difficulties of constructing a nation out of what Eusi Kwayana calls “two pre-nations” and “two Diasporas in conflict.” For those of us who call ourselves nationalists, whether Indian or African, the challenge is how to adapt our nationalism to the multi-racial reality of Guyana. In this book I speak simultaneously as an African Guyanese, a Guyanese and a Caribbean patriot. I speak simultaneously to African Guyanese and all Guyanese.
Speaking out on issues of race in a racially segmented environment is always a delicate undertaking. One does so at great risk to one’s integrity and reputation, but remaining silent is a far greater risk. Since I began writing publicly in 1993 I have been subjected to much ridicule, attacks and misrepresentations, but I have also received many endorsements. At the end of the day what matters is that I strive to be honest about what I express and that those expressions are devoid of hate.
I hope the views expressed in this book will contribute to a debate both inside and outside of the African Guyanese community. Although the subject of the discussion is the African Guyanese condition, it is a larger discussion on Guyanese politics and society in particular as they relate to race and power. While this is not an academic text I hope academics and students will find it useful as they investigate Guyana’s politics. But more than ever, I hope that ordinary Guyanese, both in Guyana and the diaspora will seek to engage in their daily lives the issues I raise and discuss. In the final analysis, this is a conversation.”
Dr Hinds lectures in Caribbean and African Diaspora Studies at Arizona State University in the USA.
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