Hold him accountable…then what?

Nov 11, 2019 Letters

Dear Editor,
Please let it be known that the University of Guyana Students Society (UGSS), headed by me, since the publishing of that ‘nasty’ video by the student, has since called for the student’s suspension.
We did so the same day the video was published.  However, we do understand that there is a judicial process that ought to be followed or observed by the administration.
This entails being put forward to the Disciplinary Committee, and also the Academic Board. Why does Mark think this is a “light” stance? Was he aware of this before his editorial?
In my letter on Thursday, what is the primary message? Simple, racism does not exist within individuals alone, this is a system.
When we do not undertake steps to change that system, how then can we expect a person to change? I do hold firm that the utterances of that individual are not too distant from the feelings of other Indians within Guyana. We see it all the time in the comments on Facebook. Additionally, persons of Afro-descent are guilty of this, too.
But not to focus on that, my editorial focused on the fact that racism is perpetuated by the institutions of socialization and if we do not check those institutions, we would always lose this war.
Let us punish the student, hold him accountable. That is judicious if you ask me. And then what? Does it end? We go to our place of worship and they are still depicting Jesus as white. More so, even against the Bible’s utterance against imagery. Additionally, based on biblical description and historical facts, we might logically conclude that the probability of Jesus being black, is higher than that of white, so why we still keep the “white image”. Our educational system which allows an Indian guy to wear his hair high so long as it’s neat but disallows the African guy with an afro and cornrows (neatly presented) is racist.
If we can’t check that system, we can’t end racism. Our politicians for over 60 years have been practicing race dominated politics. Our political socialization is very racist in its roots, and we accept that as a country. No attempt has been made to change that, but here we are, trying to win a case against a youth who referred to Indians as “coolie”.
A keen observation would let you know that not even that student understood the depths of his statement.
I am all for holding him accountable and he should be. Again, then what?
Racism requires an effort by all at all times, not when it benefits us.
Jafar Gibbons
President of UGSS 2019 -2020