DIASPORADIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 TIMES INTERNATIONAL

In The News INDEPENDENCE DIARY Personal Let us Cooperate Landmarks For Health & the mystique THIS IS THE FRUIT of Independence 1966 Independence What’s it Pocket Portrayals all about? Jubilee fever

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY BARBADOS JUBILEE... 1 MAY 2016 GUYANA INDEPENDENCE MAY 2016 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 EDITORIAL

Editorial - Karen Sinclair At the junction of Quamina Street, Stabroek INDEPENDENCE DIARY Jubilee events: Guyana, Jamaica, Florida, Canada, New York & New Jersey Market and Queenstown 6 Personal Landmarks - Desmond Roberts 7 1966 Independence - Pocket Portrayals by Guyanese By Karen Sinclair 11 Golden Jubilee Symposium - Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith

I know that my fellow Guyanese will be Berbice, Vlissengen, Ruimveldt, Bourda, New Am- 13 A shout from an iconic poem by Martin Carter saying “eh-eh, is wah wrang wid she?” Ok, I’ve sterdam, Vreed-en-Hoop? The musical tone of 14 Health and the mystique of Forbes Burnham - By Hubert Williams been away for a long time, but I do remember the name Beterverwagting, is as much a part of that Quamina street is neither in Stabroek nor our heritage as that village was the home of Qua- 17 Prime Minister Burnham receiving instruments Queenstown and that there is no physical junc- mina Gladstone, a hero of the Demerara slave of independence - photograph

tion linking the three. Instead, today I am calling rebellion of 1823. Can we not ascribe our capital 18 The Nation's Leaders for us to embrace the disparate historic dimen- the heritage of King George, even if we have con- sions of our diverse heritage, whether notorious cerns about his legacy? British roots whisper in 19 The National Anthem or celebratory. Regent Street, Princess Street, Duke Street, 20 Independence: What’s It All About? By Frank A. Campbell This jubilee anniversary edition of Diaspo- Queen Street and Alexander Street as well as in 22 Coats of Arms ra Times contains many reflections about Guy- the layout of our Coat of Arms. Similarly, Linden, 23 Independence Arch ana’s independence as other patriots passionate- renamed for our first Prime Minister, Linden 24 This is the Fruit - Poem - Karen Sinclair Forbes Sampson Burnham, is an echo of inde- ly call for the renaming of towns, streets, build- 26 Jubilee Fever - Karen Sinclair ings and villages as a sign of this independence. pendence, as is the village, Melanie Damishana, 27 Guyana's Totem Pole While I understand the sentiments, we cannot named in tribute to one of his daughters. Man- simply wipe out our history and run from its un- dela Avenue forever recalls our support for the 28 “Let us Cooperate for Guyana”- Francis Quamina Farrier dismantling of South African apartheid in 1994, pleasant truths. We may perhaps be better 30 Happy Anniversary Barbados - Karen Sinclair served if we simultaneously acknowledge and while the names of nearby Le Repentir Cemetery embrace all the dimensions that make us who we and villages like La Bonne Intention and Le 32 A cry from the words of Guyana's “singing cowboy”- Nesbit Chhangur Ressouvenir harbor traces of French occupation are. IN THE NEWS two centuries earlier, between 1782 and 1784. It was in 1814 that the then three colonies Symposium on Guyana - Barbados Relations Yesterday did contain atrocities. Like Mar- Demerara, Berbice, and Essequibo first became CARICOM’s Reparation ‘Baton’ moves to Guyana one . Prior to that, Essequibo and tin Carter’s protagonist, we “come from the nig- Demerara were possessions of the Dutch West ger yard of yesterday”. Today we are free. Tak- India Company, while Berbice was a colony ing ownership of our truth is freedom. Let us not owned by the Society of Berbice, a Dutch compa- forget nor bristle with denial. Indelible foot- ny. So, while we may proudly acknowledge the prints of our complex history have brought us to symbols of our free heritage in the names Umana this junction. Let us embark on a truly Happy Yana, President’s College, Avenue of the Repub- Jubilee Anniversary with the strength to face our lic, Cyril Potter College and the new Arthur Chung truths! Convention Center, how could we deny the histo- ry echoed throughout the nation in names like

2 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 Table of Contents

Editorial - Karen Sinclair INDEPENDENCE DIARY Jubilee events: Guyana, Jamaica, Florida, Canada, New York & New Jersey

6 Personal Landmarks - Desmond Roberts 7 1966 Independence - Pocket Portrayals by Guyanese Diaspora Times 11 Golden Jubilee Symposium - Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith May 2016 13 A shout from an iconic poem by Martin Carter

14 Health and the mystique of Forbes Burnham - By Hubert Williams Issue 2, Volume 5 17 Prime Minister Burnham receiving instruments of independence - photograph

18 The Nation's Leaders Editorial Board: 19 The National Anthem Chairman: Desmond Roberts 20 Independence: What’s It All About? By Frank A. Campbell Editor: Karen Sinclair Members: Dr. Rohan Somar, 22 Coats of Arms 23 Independence Arch Ave Maria Haynes, Dr. Lear Matthews, 24 This is the Fruit - Poem - Karen Sinclair Hugh Hamilton, Freddie Shivdat 26 Jubilee Fever - Karen Sinclair May 2016 Design and Graphics: 27 Guyana's Totem Pole Richard Hooper 28 “Let us Cooperate for Guyana”- Francis Quamina Farrier Distribution: 30 Happy Anniversary Barbados - Karen Sinclair Eleanor Hunte 32 A cry from the words of Guyana's “singing cowboy”- Nesbit Chhangur

IN THE NEWS Submissions & Letters: Symposium on Guyana - Barbados Relations [email protected] CARICOM’s Reparation ‘Baton’ moves to Guyana Advertising: [email protected] COVER President Reprints & Copies: David [email protected] Granger, and his wife Disclaimer: Sandra The views expressed and information provided in articles published in this Granger magazine are the responsibility of 3 the individual contributors and not of the Diaspora Times. DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

EVENTS MAY 2016 JUBILEE DIARY

GUYANA EVENTS MAY 2016 LOCATION DATE National Museum Day 18-May-16 DIASPORA Literary Street Fair Region 6 20-May-16 Jubilee Festival Region 4 20-May-16 "Tales of Our Fathers" Play Region 10 21-May-16

Ex-Athletes Track & Field 22-May-16 Boat Cruise Region 10 22-May-16 National Symposium 23-May-16 TO 24-May-16 Guyana Golden Jubilee Distinguished Lecture 23-May-16 Legacy of Iconic Women 23-May-16 Guyana at 50 24-May-16 National Symposium 24-May-16

Flag Raising Ceremony Countrywide 26-May-16 Float Parade Region 4 26-May-16 Guyexpo 27-May-16 Football @National Stadium 28-May-16 T-20 Cricket @Albion Region 6 28-May-16 Folk Festival 31-May-16

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

4 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 DIASPORA TIMES INTERNATIONAL

Extends Best Wishes To Guyana on its

5 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 MAY 26TH Personal Landmarks

By Desmond Roberts

was the person But May 26 was important to me for other reasons. who hoisted the My older brother, Walter, was born on May 26th. He I new Guyana flag up had returned to Guyana for the historic evening but that flagpole at midnight, had not been wicked enough to suggest that the fire- to signal the achieve- works had all been arranged for his 23rd birthday. He ment of independence had been studying in England and would be the last for British Guiana on time he would return to Guyana. He died in England May 26, 1966. The hasty 30 years later. construction of the new site at D’Urban Park for Later, my eldest brother, Arthur, was gravely ill in a the 50th anniversary flag Barbados hospital in 1982. I had taken him there and raising ceremony reminds me of the new tarmac laid had visited him several times. He was very low and at what was the old Golf Ground, then labeled Queen had been asking for me. I was Chief Umpire on our Elizabeth Park. The wind reluctantly snapped the annual Force Field Exercise which ended in Bartica. I Golden Arrowhead to attention 50 years ago and, had signaled that I was leaving for Barbados that very similarly the huge flag was winched up to receive the evening. Just as the ceremonies ended I saw a young strong winds atop the pinnacle of the high flagpole officer coming to me with a message; and I knew. My th built for the celebration of Republican status in Feb- brother had died on May 26 in Queen Elizabeth ruary this year. We are no longer British. Hospital in Bridgetown. My best friend’s father also died on May 26th. I was a Second Lieutenant in the fledgling Guyana Defence Force. I was based in the still ‘under con- The main three ceremonies of life are said to be struction’ Camp Ayanganna, sharing a bungalow with birth, marriage and death. May 26th has shown me the British officer, Jimmy Jonklass, who was also a both birth and death. If I had thought about it then, I Second Lieutenant. We were about the same height; might have been married five days earlier than I did. he was honey blond and I, very dark. He would lower the Union Jack. Jimmy had a very pleasant, happy Desmond Roberts is a former Director General of the personality. I have not seen him again during these Guyana National Service and is Chairman of the Edi- fifty years. torial Board of the Diaspora Times.

6 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 INDEPENDENCE Pocket Portrayals

s a teenager I grew up in College, causing some disruption. It was with great pride, excitement the pre-independence In my later teens things were more and joy that I listened to the A era. I can remember the peaceful and we would go out in speeches broadcast on the radio 80-day strike and February 16 ri- the evenings to El Globo for beer and watched the fireworks. I was ots, the Sun Chapman ferry and and to Itabo for coffee and listen elated, I don’t think it hit me then McKenzie/Wismar incidents, the to our seniors discuss politics while that I was a member of one of the pipe bombs in Georgetown, the the politicians were negotiating agencies responsible for the new violence on the coast and the with each other and Whitehall State, its protection, the preserva- creeks and racial dislocation of the about independence. I soon tion of the Constitution and the population. I lived opposite the joined the Special Service Unit and creation of an environment to ena- main entrance to the Public Hospi- later the GDF. It is with that back- ble Guyana to develop and realize tal in the vicinity of the Casualty ground that I greeted independ- its full potential. This was a tre- Department. I could see the ence. I was in charge of security at mendous responsibility. On reflec- bloodied bodies being rushed in on Thomas Lands Barracks (later tion our generation failed. the stretchers. I witnessed the ar- Camp Ayanganna), but I was not rival of the British troops, some of stationed in the National Park. Carl Morgan whom were billeted at Queens

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1966 INDEPENDENCE POCKET PORTRAYALS - continued

was 15 years old when Guyana became We had the best quality gold; we had sugar; we had rice; Independent. I can recall a conversa- nobody could starve in a country with so many different I tion I had with my father, a business- fruits. We had the world's highest waterfall, and best of man, about whether getting independence all, we had a generation of bright young men willing to fol- was a good thing for Guyana. Without hesi- low the Comrade Leader, and capable of being groomed tation he said “Yes!! at long last Guyanese will be free to make their own decisions and for positions of leadership-- our new technocrats. It was a plot their own directions without the encum- brave new world. We were filled with pardonable pride as brance of the white colonial masters. The we saw the Golden Arrowhead flutter in the air and we people may fight and there will be many im- raised our voices to 'Dear Land of Guyana'. pediments to smooth progress but in the end it will be worth it”. It surprised me because I Serena Brathwaite-Hewitt thought that the older people especially those in the business community were afraid of moving away from being under the yoke of colonialism. I had a most wonderful life during my teen- age years in Guyana. Romesh C. D. Singh

he younger generation of Guya- nese was all full of excitement and T expectations of change. Here was a chance to take responsibility for moving the country forward! I must borrow the Obama slogan of 'hope and change.' Older Guyanese were sad to see the Union Jack lowered, and to sing God Save Our Gracious Queen for the last time. Both generations, though, looked forward to the symbols of a new era; one with our local leaders in charge of political change, social change, and educational change, new flag, new national anthem, new na- do not remember growing up in a home hearing tional pride. We were comrades working how "bad" and unfair being governed by the British to see change in the new era of all things I was, but still I had a sense that what was happening Guyanese. The Kabaka, as LFS was fondly was going to be unique and very necessary for the coun- known, was going to show the Queen that try. On the night my heart almost "burst" with emotion, we could run the country without the with pride, as the Arrowhead was raised on that Flag British. We were going to bargain with Pole. Absolute joy and happiness! Canada over bauxite. Oh, we were going to show the world that 'tings gun change.' Joan de Chalus

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hen my granddaughter, Kai, said to me t was a terrific highlight event and a real memo- recently "Grandfather Fabie, Mummy rable way to close out my seven years at Queens W told me that at Guyana's Independ- I College, at the flag-raising ceremony at the Na- ence 50 years ago you were in England training. tional Park, on the evening of 25th May 1966. There What did you do?" it forced me to reflect a little. we were as QC student-cadets dressed like Bucking- After having the privilege of signing on the dotted ham Palace guards...resplendent in black top hats, line and joining the Guyana Defense Force on the red jackets, white trousers and armed with real- looking, but wooden, rifles. Our platoon performed 29th of December 1965, my birthday, along with the symbolic act of a departing British Army with si- David Arthur Granger, Joseph Govinda Singh and lent drills. At the end of our presentation, and as we Haydock Egbert West, we all travelled to the UK fell to the ground on our faces, all the lights in the early January 1966. Haydock and I went to the park went out. We scampered off the square, the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, while David lights came back on, ...and on marched the military of and Joe went to Mons Officer Cadet School. They the new Nation...the GDF. It was one of the proudest were subsequently joined by Harry Hinds. moments in my life. Two and a half years later I would become an officer in that fledgling army. Sometime around May 1966, I was contacted by the Guyana High Commission in London and the Ian C. Fraser then High Commissioner, Sir Lionel Luckhoo invit- ed me to participate in the Independence Celebra- felt nervous when at the State Dinner I saw the tion in London. Haydock, Harry and I were asked casual manner in which the invitees at the head to be dressed in military uniform and to partici- table were moving knowing full well that the pate in the Independence Church Service which I entire programme was timed for the exchange of flags to be at midnight. The programme fell behind and the children's item was dropped. I was very sad that they who had put in so many hours/nights re- hearsing had been disappointed. Those who are to- day, the then future generation of the new nation, now in their sixties, must feel some anguish remem- bering that night. I do. Colonel Edgar 'Pluto' Martindale

was held at Westminster Abbey around the 6th or was at the Queen Elizabeth II National Park 7th of June. My moment of glory was taking the among the thousands present for the flag-raising ceremony that fateful May, 1966 day. I remem- Golden ArrowhHead down Westminster Abbey I ber standing ramrod-straight - heels together, toes aisle escorted by Haydock and Harry all dressed in out - and singing the words of all the verses of the our Officer Cadet Uniforms. Even though I had no National Anthem, and puzzling over the linguistic sig- clue of life 50 years down the road and can hardly nificance of the preposition-free "more worthy our remember things 50 years ago, I can still remem- heritage.” Tears were streaming down my cheeks ber the fanfare of trumpets as we stood on the and I silently pledged to work harder and smarter to altar of Westminster Abbey and as I presented the build a better Guyana for my children and theirs. I Golden Arrowhead to the congregation of Digni- had high hopes over our agricultural and mineral po- taries and Guyanese in the UK Diaspora. The re- tential, but was fearful over the ethnic divisions I had cent efforts of a friend of mine to get some picto- witnessed at first hand a few years before. Neverthe- rial evidence of my claim to fame from the British less, I had confidence that Sport and the University of Guyana would help see us through. Fifty years on, we Archives proved futile." are still a work in progress. Fairbairn Egerton Liverpool George N. Cave.

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10 A Message from DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 Dr. Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, Chair Symposium Sub-Committee, 50th Anniversary of Independence Celebra- tions Committee, New York and Dr. James Rose, Director of Culture Academic Working Group

National Commemoration Commission of Guyana Fellow Guyanese and Friends of Guyana,

In penning “The Song of Guyana’s Children” many decades ago, W. Hawley-Bryant captured presciently the sense of our young nation’s Being and Becoming. The chorus, in particular, both commands and entreats us thus,

Onward, upward, may we ever go Day by day in strength and beauty grow, Till at length we each of us may show, What Guyana’s sons and daughters can be. Guyana has, indeed, moved onward and upward in many respects since gaining political independence in 1966. Our nation has had much to show—both positively and negatively—over the five decades of its nationhood. This symposia series takes the opportunity, nay, exercises the obligation, to show what some of Guyana’s sons and daughters have been and have produced intellectually with regard to our society’s myriad dynamics and the regional and global environments in which we have pursued our political independence journey since that historic day in 1966.

Understandably, these three days of this symposia series—two in Georgetown and one in New York—can only provide a glimpse at, and a few vignettes of, the intellectual labors of Guyanese at home and abroad. Allow us to thank the various paper authors, roundtable presenters, panel moderators and respondents, and cultural artistes for allowing us to engage and enjoy the fruits of some of their intellectual and artistic labors. Permit us, too, to applaud the attendees of this series for seizing the opportunity provided at this momentous national milestone to ponder the following four interrelated questions: Who we are? What has the journey been like? What can we become? How can we get there?

Needless to say, while these four vital questions are being explored in this symposia series in relation to our nation, this conversation also occa- sions the opportunity to probe these questions at the individual level. Whether the interrogation is done at the national and individual level, it behooves us to face the realities as they are so we address them appropriately. As James Baldwin once said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” This symposia series provides the safe academic space to face our realities so we can fix them, as needed.

Thus, we commend this symposia series to you, and encourage you make the best of this opportunity to see how and whether we have truly gone “onward, upward” and what our nation’s sons and daughters can be and have done. Let us end by expressing our deep appreciation for the hard and smart work done by the members of the symposium sub-committee, the co-sponsors of this series—the Symposium Sub- committee of Guyana’s 50th Independence Anniversary Celebration Committee (New York), the Academic Grounding Working Groupof the National Commemoration Commission of Guyana, the Guyana Cultural Association of New York, Inc., and the University of Guyana—and the many volunteers who contributed to the successful design and delivery of this initiative. Enabling this success also were the many officials of the Arthur Chung Conference Center and York College. Our thanks are extended to them, as well.

Enjoy!

Professor Ivelaw Lloyd Griffith, PhD Executive-in-Residence, The University at Albany, State University of New York Tenth Principal and Vice Chancellor Designate, The University of Guyana James Rose, PhD Director of Culture

Academic 11 Working Group National Commemoration Commission of Guyana DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

12 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

Reflecting on the Journey to Independence POET MARTIN CARTER

“From the nigger yard of yesterday I come with my burden To the world of tomorrow I turn with my strength”

From the poem “I Come from the Nigger Yard” by Martin Carter

13 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 Health and the mystique of Forbes Burnham By Hubert Williams

Bridgetown, Barbados -- I have long marveled, and still do, at the remarkable perspicacity, in some matters, of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, the first paramount leader of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, now dead 30 years. With a mischievous glint in his eyes and that familiar chuckle “heh, heh, heh, heh”, he at times re- marked that whatever Rickey Singh did so also would do Hubert Williams, and wherever Hubert Williams went there also would go Rickey Singh… because they are like each other’s shadow. He called his humour ‘tantalize’…or teasing… very familiar to Guyanese as a form of making fun of oth- ers, which other cultures would refer to as ‘ragging’ and by various other names. Photograph courtesy of KnowledgeWalk Institute. Updated: Wednesday, 11 And because he felt that despite one being Black May 2016. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. Retrieved from and the other East Indian, we were two of the same and www.caribbeanelections.com virtually unseparable, he took some strange delight in There were occasions where at cocktail parties personally ‘rechristening’ us Hubert Singh and Rickey he would switch the surnames of our wives, referring to Williams, and would at times, in the presence of his polit- Rickey’s Afro-Guyanese wife Dolly as Mrs. Williams, ical colleagues, address us as such. and to my wife Eugenie, of part Indo-Guyanese stock, as 14 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 Mrs. Singh. When he eventually decided that being away from his family and wasting his talent covering innocu- We all took it rather light-heartedly, but know- ous court cases in a foreign land was totally unaccepta- ing the man, we were always on guard against any ser- ble, to the utter dismay of the Thomson authorities in pentine spring with bared fangs. London, he high-tailed it back to Guyana. It must have pleased him no end, and our ac- No one but Williams had been advised of his tions seemed to match his expectations, when first one intended return, and it was Williams who met him at the and then the other de-linked from the staff of the Guyana airport, chauffeured him home, and when the door was Graphic Ltd., publishers of the country’s leading daily opened, was there to witness the shock and great joy of and Sunday newspapers, a regional paper called “Berbice his family. Times” for the eastern-most county and the "Mackenzie News" for the Upper Demerara River mining district - Not too long thereafter both Singh and Wil- the latter two of which Williams edited. liams were to relocate in neighbouring Caribbean coun- tries…. one in Trinidad and Tobago, the other in Barba- In the face of growing Burnham control, and dos. In 1979, both the Singh and the Williams families legislation in 1971 which provided legal cover to politi- were resident in Barbados. cal manipulation of the privately-owned media enterpris- es, and Burnham’s strongly influential personal relation- Burnham must have chuckled “heh, heh, heh, ships with the top echelon of the Graphic’s editorial de- heh” that his thesis about the two was alive and well… partment, Williams resigned to become an independent whatever one did, that likely would the other do. operative in Guyana for the London-based Reuters News I was to discover subsequently that some of his Agency. thinking had been shared with J.M.G.M. “Tom” Adams, It was of considerable import, too, to that deci- the then Prime Minister of Barbados, when in attempting sion, the tragic death in a road accident of then General at his office to sort out an issue over which we had dif- Manager D. A. "Bob" Grandsoult, the strong hand that fering perceptions, he revealed that Forbes had warned had steered the company, and about which event Wil- him about me and Rickey… that we were very difficult liams had remarked in a message to the Reuters head of- people to cope with. fice that "the Graphic is dead". It is now a part of historical record that the re- In the case of Singh, his going was the direct lationship between Rickey and Mr. Adams reached their result of pressure exerted by Burnham on the then British lowest point during the Grenada invasion by American owners of the newspaper, which had first moved out of troops in 1983, that Rickey’s residency permit was re- its founding Booker sugar company ownership into the voked and that he was invited out of Barbados, a deci- hands of the Mirror Group of Cecil Harmsworth King, sion enforced despite the intervention of the gentleman and then became a property within the spreading empire politician, now Sir Henry Forde, who then held responsi- of Roy Thomson, a wealthy and very influential Canadi- bility for immigration matters in the Adams cabinet. an, subsequently deemed the king of Fleet Street, and What may not be in the general record is that recipient of a British peerage. Rickey found a means of frustrating the Adams intent by Among the several experiments in the conniv- exploiting the island’s image as a tourism destination, ance of Burnham and big business to silence Singh, was although it was a formula that carried a significant finan- the extraordinary banishment of this foremost Guyanese cial cost. He did initially exit on a one-way ticket, but political reporter to England to cover cases in a magis- returned shortly thereafter on an extended visit as a tour- trate’s court for a provincial newspaper within the Thom- ist, with a ticket showing a date of departure; and when son chain. that time came, he would depart and return to do it all over again. Extraordinary in the sense that this was a rever- sal of standard colonial practice where political and other It must be the case that the immigration authori- sorts of irritants (prisoners, also) used to be sent packing ties knew what was happening, but winked at his tactics, off to the colonies to get them out of the way; but in for if they had so wished, they could have frustrated Singh’s case (a virtual unknown outside of his own juris- them. diction), he was sent up to the Mother Country from a It was my view at the time that Mr. Ad- recently colonial possession - to get him out of the way. ams himself, having made his initial public strike against

CONTINUED ON PAGE 17

15 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 Golden Jubilee Symposia Series

www.guyfolkfest.org/guyana50

Monday, May 23, 2016

Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal 9:30am- 7:00pm

Tuesday, May 24, 2016 Arthur Chung Conference Center, Liliendaal 9:30am-6:00pm

Sunday, June 5, 2016 York College, The City University of New York, 94-20 Guy R Brewer Blvd, Jamaica, NY 11451 8:00am-6:00pm

16 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

ity; and Rickey’s journal- Prime Minister Forbes Burnham receiving instruments of independence istic output has remained from the Duke of Kent in Parliament, 1966 prodigious. But somewhere out there – in heaven, hell, the netherworld, or where -ever – the sound “heh, heh, heh, heh” might have been heard, for Mr. Burn- ham those years long past had been wont to suggest that whatever affected the one would by some means and in time apply equally to the other. And so it was that 12 years past 1996, on the 14th of July 2008, there I was, presumably ‘as fit as a fiddle’ with very comforting readings during all phases of my Photograph Courtesy of KnowledgeWalk Institute. May 5 2016. www.caribbeanelections.com/ periodic medical check- ups, but suddenly strick- Rickey, did not wish to incite an international human en by a heart attack: a big one, the course of recovery rights/freedom of expression issue and further sully the from which would take me thousands of miles away island’s reputation, so he saw through what Rickey was from Barbados. doing, but decided to ‘let sleeping dogs lie’. In an attempt to erode the applicability of Mr. Following Mr. Adams’ sudden death in March Burnham’s thesis, one has to snatch at crumbs of com- 1985, Rickey enjoyed much better relations with one- fort, little bits of differences: things like year successor as Prime Minister, Harold Bernard St. (1) Rickey was rushed immediately for John, later to become Sir Harold.. medical attention, while I was at home alone for two-and However, it was not until the return to office of -a-half days, ignorant of the fact and trying to self-treat Prime Minister Errol Walton Barrow, at elections in for suspected food poisoning. 1986, that the Administration regularised Rickey’s posi- (2) Local surgeons at the Queen Eliza- tion by granting the Singh family residency status, beth Hospital saved Rickey’s life: I spent 4 days at the though even before that, Rickey had turned down an of- QEH, then at considerable cost, was air-ambulanced fer by the Canadians of refugee status in Canada. “I am from Barbados to Boston’s Caritas St. Elizabeth’s Medi- not a refugee,” he had responded. “I have a country to cal Centre where specialists dealt aggressively with the which I can return at any time.” attack, but avoided surgery. The small jet came in from Now to cap this discourse as to the quaint ex- Miami. There were the pilot, co-pilot, doctor, nurse, my pectations of Mr. Burnham… that whatever happens daughter and me. We flew from Barbados to North Caro- with one, so will it with the other: lina, re-fueled, then on to Boston. It was the only time I could have said (as can the U.S. President about Air In 1996, very suddenly, Rickey, a dynamo at Force One) "this is my plane". all times and an exceptionally high-volume producer, suffered a serious heart attack. He was rushed to the So, now, we are both survivors: And as our Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown, not 10 minutes lives course through the excess years granted beyond drive away from his residence, where the surgeons’ skill three-score-years-and-ten, it is only human to wonder: saved his life through a triple-bypass procedure. What else might Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham have seen that we two are yet to experience? ….“Heh, heh, Careful food selection and preparation, specific heh, heh”. ==== ENDIT ==== medication resolutely taken as prescribed, and rigorous exercise have served to ensure a return to full functional- 17 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 GUYANA’s PRESIDENTS

David Granger President - May 2015–

Donald Ramotar, , , , Dec. 2011 to May 2015 Aug. 1999 to Dec. 2011 Dec. 1997 to Aug. 1999 Mar. 1997 - Dec 1997

Cheddi Jagan , Forbes Burnham, Arthur Chung, Oct. 1992 to Mar.1997 Aug. 1985 to Oct. 1992 Oct. 1980 to Aug. 1985 Mar. 1970- Oct.1980

18 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

National Anthem of Guyana

Lyrics: Archibald Leonard Luker - Music: Robert Cyril Gladstone Potter

Dear land of Guyana, of rivers and plains, Made rich by the sunshine and lush by the rains, Set gemlike and fair between mountains and sea, Your children salute you, dear land of the free.

Green land of Guyana, our heroes of yore, Both bondsmen and free, laid their bones on your shore; This soil so they hallowed, and from them are we, All sons of one mother, Guyana the free.

Great land of Guyana, diverse though our strains, We are born of their sacrifice, heirs of their pains, And ours is the glory their eyes did not see, One land of six peoples, united and free.

Dear land of Guyana, to you will we give Our homage, our service, each day that we live; God guard you, great Mother, and make us to be More worthy our heritage - land of the free.

19 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 Independence:

What’s It All About? By Frank A. Campbell

uge flags, gun Another writer described independence as “the only salutes, par- path to dignity” and the “only choice of every right- ties, galas and thinking individual or people.” He added: “It is better H to have less as an independent person or nation, than masquerade bands are images that come to to prosper materially under tutelage.” mind when we think of 3. Controlling our natural and other resources for independence anniver- our own benefit saries. But what is inde- pendence really about? Independence also represented an opportunity to This article, first pre- take control of our natural and other resources. No th pared as part of the 50 less important, it offered us the challenge to use anniversary program for those resources to build a country that met our needs the Toronto area, is an and that we could be proud of. That aspect of the attempt to answer this independence project could be as basic as producing question. the foods we need instead of importing them from, and exporting our hard-earned wealth to, other na- In the quest for answers, I sought the opinions of a tions. And it could be as profound as the right and few friends, relatives, colleagues and acquaintances. the power to build layers of value added into our raw Here are some of their thoughts, blended with my materials instead of continuing to export those mate- own. rials and that privilege to others.

1. Responsibility for our own national destiny 4. Cultural, social and inter-ethnic unity

I was among those Guyanese coming of age during Independence enables and requires us to combine, as what poet Martin Carter calls the time of our standing our national anthem mandates, the beauty and diver- up. For us, the simplest and perhaps most important sity of being a “land of six peoples” with the strength way to think of independence was, as one of my re- that comes with being “united and free.” One of the spondents said, “having a country of our own, instead letters I received called this “an opportunity to try to of having to obey a mother country.” She sees the live together as one people and to develop a culture transition to independence as “a separation from of our own” in which “there would be a place for eve- those who had brought us as slaves to be discarded, ryone and respect for all.” Increasingly, there has and as indentured servants to be given land and mon- been talk of this unity encompassing a sharing of the ey and kept separate by this means. aspirations and resources of Guyanese at home with 2. Dignity those of Guyanese in the Diaspora.

20 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 5. Patriotism, nation building, growing up and na- as Guyana a challenge of managing shackles. Guy- tional self-discovery ana’s independence in 1966 witnessed the formal re- moval of political shackles, but not only have eco- One correspondence I received was from a writer nomic shackles endured since then, but they have al- who was less than seven on May 26, 1966. He there- so developed new dynamics, with new state and in- fore rightly calls himself “a child of independence.” ternational corporate players.” Important elements of his growing up included learn- ing the national anthem, singing patriotic songs, and 7. A work in progress: making our own mistakes later, as a boys scout, roaming from one part of the Guyanese landscape to another. “Now in my 50s,” he The late Ghanaian anti-colonial fighter, statesman says, “as Guyana turns 50, I believe that independ- and pan-Africanist, Kwame Nkrumah, promised that ence is about growing up and self-discovery. It is after independence, “the mistakes we make will be about journey, a work in progress.” our own.” We continue to prove him correct. We are, after all, a work in progress. Nkrumah also said 6. National security, international relations and in- that, “it will be our responsibility to put [those mis- terdependence takes] right.” I pray that Nkrumah’s prophecy will be correct in this respect also, and that our success in With independence, the British military and the correcting our mistakes will be perhaps the most en- British Foreign Service were no longer even notionally during legacy of the Guyanese independence experi- a part of the Guyanese security and diplomatic reality. ence. Local military and paramilitary forces were estab- lished. There was a Guyanese diplomatic service, Frank A. Campbell is a former Guyanese journalist, which, although young, was formidable in its own ambassador and Cabinet minister. In preparing this way. And a young Guyana was helping to create, or article, he has benefited from the ideas of several oth- build upon, a global infrastructure of interdepend- er Guyanese patriots. He especially thanks Professors ence ranging from CARICOM to the Commonwealth Ivelaw Griffith and Roslin Khan; Dr. Riyad Insanally; and the Non-aligned Movement. Frank’s wife Barbara Campbell, a poet, playwright and former teacher and community leader; his broth- In the words of one of my more academic respond- er Nestor, a church leader and former teacher; and ents, "The intensifying global dynamics of the age in their nephew, Jos-el Principal Wil Campbell. Frank accepts re- which we live make independence of countries such sponsibility for the article submitted under his name.

Former Governor General of British Guiana, Sir Richard Luyt (L) in discussion with newly independent Guyanese, (L-R), Cecil Ramsingh (Mirror Newspapers), partly hidden Peter DeFreitas (Central Garage), Shamir Ally (Bookers Lithographic & Boxmakers). Photograph, 1966, courtesy of Dr. Shamir Ally 21 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 Coats-of-Arms

ized by the large crest on the head of the bird. The vertical center third segment of a coat-of-arms grants tribute to the most significant insignia of a na- tion’s pride. That segment of Guyana’s coat-of-arms Guyana Coat of Arms asserts our pride in self-government (the indigenous head-dress that crowns and rises above all the other symbols), our waters, unique indigenous wildlife spe- cies, and our united nationhood spelled out in the words “one nation” in the center of the scroll at the bottom that records the nation’s motto. The motto, a specific chronicle of our pledge at independence, supports and is part of the entire motif. Guyana’s treasure of mineral resources is represent- oats of arms were first used in medieval ed by diamonds on either side of the headdress. The battlefields as distinctive heraldry for illit- two jaguars represent wildlife, and a pick axe, sugar C erate combatants to distinguish between cane and rice stalks attest to the value of Guyana’s friend and foe. The word originates from the Old agricultural resources. French cote a armer which were tunics draped over According to the College of Arms in the United King- battle shields to prevent the reflection of the sun on dom, Coats of arms are granted by letters patent is- soldiers’ shields. Today, a national coat-of-arms is a sued by the most senior heralds, the Kings of Arms to symbolic canopy boasting motifs of a nation’s pride, subjects of the Crown. Guyana’s coat-of-arms was values and accomplishments. recommended by Guyana’s National History and Arts The center of a coat-of-arms is a Council, approved by the Col- place of honor. The shield at the lege of Arms and, after Guyana center of Guyana’s coat-of-arms gained independence, accepted gives highest honor to Guyana’s by Guyana’s House of Assembly. abundance of water sources in- It is not only a symbol of our cluding the magnificent Kaiteur pride as an independent nation, Falls, Essequibo River and innu- but also reflects the undeniable merable waterfalls, rivers and heritage of our colonialism. naturally occurring bodies of wa- Below is a depiction of the coat- ter. Those are symbolically rep- of-arms of the United Kingdom resented by three horizontal blue of Great Britain. It boasts motifs waves. That center spot also of the monarchy some of which pays homage to the beauty of have been attributed to changes Guyana's rare flora in the depiction of Guyana’s na- made by monarchs throughout its history. The tional flower, the exquisite Victoria Regia water lily; acknowledgement of God (“Dieu et mon Droit”, and Guyana’s national bird the Canje Pheasant, all on French, meaning “God and my right”) is said to have a white shield connoting Guyana’s peace. The bird is first been used by Richard I and later adopted as the considered to be the only member of the genus Opis- royal motto by Henry VI. thocomus (from the Greek for “long hair”) character- Karen Sinclair 22 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

Guyana’s Independence Arch

Unveiling Guyana’s Independence Arch, a gift from the Demerara Bauxite Company, 1966. Photograph courtesy of KnowledgeWalk Institute. May 5 2016. www.caribbeanelections.com

23 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS THISMAGAZINE IS THE FRUIT ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

This is the long ripening fruit of the rotted tree of vile slavery Farmed under burning rays in plantation fury, Germinated from an imported seed Uprooted from distant African shores by white savages And shipped shackled in chains; A special variety, Unique characteristics spliced in tempestuous ocean journey By furious, rebelling natives Unwilling scientists of a disturbed history, Black rage fuelled with displaced energy now embedded in the genes of a hybrid cultural seed.

Suppression is the climate that fertilized that seed which defied unrelenting seasons of oppression, withstood thundering hurricanes of brutality, and branched widely to shelter the bare backs of an entire people, raw from the cruel whips of economics, of subjugation, of displacement, Providing refuge in flourishing shade of green artistry Filling hungry minds with tangy, liberating fruit; A passionate crop, Anger its flavour.

Reaped and relished This fruit nurtured the budding embryo of emancipation So that free seeds scattered abundantly in every clime Took root, And new varieties flourished each new day, Bitter fruit now tempered with sweet taste of freedom Roots in opportunity’s fertile soil; Cultivated with a renewed hopeful vision Enlightened by the bittersweet harvests of history

This fruit is ripe. Pick, Savour!

Poem: © Karen Sinclair, 1995, 2016 24 From the book Jungle Heart, a poetic journey through the emotional jungle of contemporary life, p 15 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 DRAFTING AND

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 Interior layout and detailing  Educational 25  Entertainment DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

JUBILEE FEVER

Photograph of D’urban Park Courtesy of Guyana Information News Agency

ubilee fever is spreading among Guyanese at familiar names and the tales of sprucing up that keep home and abroad, as the Government of Guyana trickling out daily to make it seem as if a whole lot of J is preparing the Guyana landscape for a fiftieth welcome change is taking place and the trip is going to anniversary celebration like no other! be the trip of a lifetime!

It was infectious enough that many Guyanese planned to While taking whatever is the appropriate medication for return for the celebrations and made airline and hotel this kind of fever, (some XM might do the trick), we must reservations since last year. Now it seems that as May stay sober long enough to take the advice of our wise th 26 draws closer and emails are flying off laptops an- Francis Quamina Farrier to change our USD into GD, nouncing a growing list of events in Guyana, some for- steer clear of political talk and watch out for ‘dem boys’ merly event-shy members of the Diaspora are becoming on the corner. Then, for the inevitable trip to a govern- increasingly willing to pay the ever inflating prices for a ment office, take heed of Lear Matthews’ warning to last minute decision to travel to Guyana. More Guya- wear outfits with sleeves and legs. Here’s hoping that nese have caught Jubilee fever! you feel better soon! Happy Fiftieth Independence Anniversary! Jubilee fever is heightened by announcements of high school and other reunion affairs and the prospect of meeting long lost friends, some from fifty years ago! by Karen Sinclair Then there is the lure of new venues, nostalgia of old

26 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

The Totem Pole A symbol of Guyana’s Indigenous Heritage

The mini totem is 3 feet tall and 6 inches wide. An Amerindian cultural icon, it consists of ten carvings sym- bolizing the unique identity of the 10 Administrative Regions of Guyana. The full scale Golden Jubilee of Inde- pendence Totem Pole will stand 50 feet tall. Since January 2016, the anniversary totem pole has been mak- ing its way through the ten administrative regions of Guyana, gaining a section in each region. The mini to- tem pole was launched in March at the National Gallery of Art. The unveiling of the full scale totem pole is scheduled for Saturday May 14th at Umana Yana. 27 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 “Let us Cooperate for Guyana” Francis Quamina Farrier

t is now one year since President The president was in the USA earlier has earned him many supporters. He David Arthur Granger took the this month, where among other activi- has been inviting Guyanese in the Di- I oath of office and commenced his ties, he met with Guyana's Ambassa- aspora to return home and join in the service as President of the Coopera- dor to the United States and the Or- many developmental projects in their tive Republic of Guyana. While on the ganization of American States, Bayney homeland. Businessmen are being Balcony of the Public Buildings imme- Karran. At a function at the home of invited to establish businesses in Guy- diately after his Swearing-In Ceremo- the Ambassador, President Granger ana. That is what Aubrey Stephenson ny, he invited all present to link hands witnessed a ceremony at which the of Federal Management Systems did. and sing the Billy Pilgrim composition, CEO of Federal Management Sys- Federal Management Systems, Inc. "Let us Cooperate for Guyana.” That tems, Inc., Guyanese, Aubrey Ste- employs hundreds of Guyanese both cooperation extends to those Guya- phenson, AA., made a presentation to in Guyana and in the Diaspora and nese in the Diaspora as well. One of Ambassador Bayney Karran. The pays tens of Millions of dollars in Tax- the principal projects of David president also visited the Guyana Em- es into the Guyana Treasury. The Granger, is to bring Guyanese in the bassy in Washington, DC, where he Guyana branch of Federal Manage- Diaspora and those in the Motherland, addressed the Ambassador and Staff- ment Systems, Inc. with Office on Pe- even closer. The president is anxious ers, telling them how much he recog- ter Rose Street in Georgetown, is now that the aspirations of those in the Di- nized the service which they are giving celebrating their twenty-fifth anniver- aspora, who desire to have business to Guyana. sary. and other projects in Guyana, become There has not been any professional As President David Arthur Granger easier to achieve. To that end, he has survey taken in the Diaspora, of the commences his second year in Office, made quite a number of visits to the president's performance and popularity it is left to be seen how well he will Diaspora, holding discussions with a during this his first year in office. But succeed in dealing with the many chal- variety of stakeholders... He has a what is certain, is that he still enjoys a lenges which Guyana faces; the vision of how "the two - the high degree of respect and admiration strengthening of the bridge between one in North America and the one in by many Guyanese in the Diaspora. the Diaspora and the Motherland be- South America" - as he puts it, can The way he conducts himself interact- ing a vital one. complement each other. ing with both the great and the simple,

L to R: President David Granger, Ambassador Bayney Karran, Aubrey Stephenson, AA, CEO of Federal Management Systems, Inc., Mrs. Karran 28 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

29 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

BARBADOS As Guyana celebrates its fiftieth anniversary of Independence, Barbados is celebrating One hundred and fifty years since the 1816 Bussa Rebellion against slavery

pendence from the United been of Ghanaian de- Kingdom of Great Britain scent, led fellow slaves in was granted through civil Lilienburg plantation in parliamentary processes. Canje Berbice, in a violent Barbados was granted in- rebellion against slavery. dependence on Novem- Barbadian slave, Bussa, ber 30, in the same year led a rebellion against with Guyana, 1966. Ja- slavery in 1816. The Slave maica and Trinidad and Trade Abolition Act had Tobago were granted in- been passed by British dependence in 1962. In- Parliament in 1807. It dependence for other banned the slave trade Caribbean islands oc- and trading of slaves but curred in the 1970s and did not free the already 1980s. Anguilla, Bermuda enslaved people in the and Montserrat are still British Empire, including territories of the United British Guiana on the “CUFFY STATUE” The 1763 Monument, Kingdom. South American Continent Square of the Revolution, Georgetown and the British islands in As we celebrate inde- the Caribbean Sea. They Sculptor - Phillip Moore pendence, we also recall fought violently to be the fight for freedom from ARICOM countries emancipation from slav- free. In 1823 over 13,000 ery. Long after, mostly in slavery. In a revolt begin- slaves in Demerara, Guy- share a history of rd the 1960s, many also ob- ning on February 23 ana rebelled to force local C colonial rule, slav- 1763, British Guiana’s ery, slave revolts and tained independence plantation owners to obey from colonial rule. Inde- slave, Cuffy, said to have British orders to free them.

30 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

Guyana’s emancipation was soaked with the blood and finally achieved in 1838. sweat of strong, determined, Emancipation and Independ- and intelligent people who or- ence are two different mile- ganized themselves and per- stones, but in the same con- sisted despite limited re- text of freedom. sources and seemingly insur- mountable hurdles. Free gen- The British, (as did the French, erations still, however, have Dutch and Spanish) invaded miles to travel. We must cele- countries around the world, brate independence as a mile- took possession of natural re- stone, not a destination. They sources, and made many peo- fought for freedom, then ples subjects of their empires. sought independence. Now They also captured unwilling free and independent, it is our people on other continents, job to climb above disad- primarily Africa, recruited oth- vantage and conditions we ers, primarily from India, and despise. shipped them to supplement the labor force in their occu- As we celebrate independ- pied colonies. Independence ence, let us join our sister Bar- for these descendants of those bados on their sesquicentenni- people may seem a tiny gain in al anniversary of rebellion EMANCIPATION STATUE the context of those major against slavery, and remember Bussa - Round-a-Bout atrocities that are the genesis the graves on which we dance. BARBADOS of this nation. But it is undeni- ably a milestone. A milestone

DIASPORA TIMES is inviting readers to write short memoirs about experiences in Guyana. Send to [email protected]

31 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

In the words of 1960s singer songwriter Nesbit Changur

A Guianese Lament (extract from the song) First we must learn to see brothers… then can we start to be building our destiny building our justice with love. In all Guyana our own land strong and free when tears and hatred end and race with race work together as friends.

32 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 GUYANA’S 50TH ANNIVERSARY MAY 2016

Fifty Years of Memories: What is most significant about your life in Guyana in the last fifty years? Send us a photograph and your 20-50 word summary.

33 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 IN THE NEWS

Where are We Now?

Symposium arbados’ Ambassador to CARICOM Robert “Bobby” Morris reiterated his country’s B support for Guyana in matters of Foreign and Community Relations, particularly against the on Guyana expansionist plans of Venezuela. The Ambassador was speaking at a (GABI) sympo- sium entitled “The History of Guyana-Barbados… and where are we now?” The symposium was the third monthly event organized by GABI as part of its year-long observances of Guyana’s 50th Inde- -Barbados pendence Anniversary. He said that Barbados and Guyana have kept com- mon counsel with regard to Climate Change agen- da of vulnerable small island and coastal states. Relations On the sensitive issue of “problems around immi- gration matters”, Ambassador Morris said that be-

34 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 IN THE NEWS

ment for Deepening Bilateral Cooperation between the Government of Barbados and the Government of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana, ushered in a new era in relations between the two countries.

The Articles of that Agreement allowed for establish- ment of a Joint Economic, Technical and Cultural Co- operation Commission to implement the Agreement. It was also agreed that the Commission would meet alternately in Guyana and in Barbados. Issues have in- cluded investments and exports. Other areas include an offer of land to be purchased by Barbadians; Tour- ism, Hospitality and Services; Agriculture and Fisheries; Maritime Administration/Maritime Affairs; Education; Immigration and Security and Culture, Youth and Sports.

Ambassador Morris said that one of the highlights of this cooperation is Sir Kyffin Simpson’s Rice Farm in Re- gion 9 in the Rupununi. He said that the farm was visit- ed by Minister Maxine McClean and other officials in 2013. “This is a prime example of the type of coopera- tion which can be a model for the development of CARICOM”, the Ambassador concluded.

tween 2007 and 2010, the problems were blown out The symposium was also addressed by Mt. Pat Thomp- of proportion, but have fortunately been overcome. son of Guyana, who spoke on “Growing-Up in Guyana – The Bajan Connection”; Dr. Jeannette Allsopp on Quoting statistics for the period, Mr. Morris said that “Education– The similarities between Guyana and Bar- Guyanese visits to Barbados between 2007 and 2012 bados”; and Mr. Frank Da Silva who spoke on the were highest in 2008, with 31,276 visitors; and lowest “Private and Public Sector – Bridging the Gap”. Mrs. in 2010, with 19,432. Refusals for entry, he said, were Roxanne Brancker was the moderator. usually about one (1%) percent, but never above two (2%) percent. Overstays were usually between eleven Also present at the well-attended session were Guy- (11%) percent and twenty four (24%) percent. “Work ana’s interim Counsel General Mrs. Monique Jackman, Permits” were given to Guyanese workers, especially Cuba’s Ambassador to Barbados, His Excellency Fran- cisco Fernandez Pena, Barbadian Attorney and Social in Agriculture and Construction, but economic con- traction after 2007 led to a reduction in numbers of Activist Davis Commissong and several members of the work permits granted or renewed, and that Guyanese Barbados business community. then pursued CARICOM strategies for migration. The attendees were treated to Guyanese snacks after These refusals and denials tested the bonds between the event while listening to renditions by the the two countries. “Birdman”.

The Ambassador said that the signing of the Agree- Submitted By Ian Keith Haynes

35 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 IN THE NEWS CARICOM’s Reparation ‘Baton’ moves to Guyana

The initiative by the Regional The “Baton” is now in Guyana in occasion, as a mark of respect for CARICOM Reparation Commission the possession of the Ministry of our ancestors who struggled for to actively send the reparation Foreign Affairs, and it is expected to reparation justice. To mark this message around the region, has be passed on to the local Commis- event, Barbados has the distinct moved to the Cooperative Republic sion on Reparation. honour of leading off the symbolic passing of the reparation Baton to of Guyana, with the passing of the Commenting on the passing of the “Reparation Baton” from Barbados. Guyana as a show of CARICOM soli- Baton Saturday April 30th, Barba- darity for the cause of reparation.” The “Baton” was presented to the dos’ Prime Minister Mr. Freundel Deputy Consul General of the Coop- Stuart, who is the Chairman of the The Caribbean Reparation was erative Republic of Guyana in Bar- CARICOM Sub-Committee on Repa- formed by CARICOM Heads of Gov- bados, Ms. Monique Jackman, by ration, said “For Barbados, the 1816 ernment in 2013. The Commission Chairman of the Barbados Task Bussa Rebellion was a prominent is headed by Chairman Sir. Hilary Force on Reparation, Professor Dr. uprising whose bicentenary helps Beckles, and there are several na- Pedro Welch. The handing over us to recognize its effects in shaping tional reparation committees was done at the start of the Island’s the future of this small island devel- throughout the region. 50th Anniversary of Independence oping state. at the historic Golden Grove Planta- Submitted By Ian Keith 36 “Barbados has recommitted itself tion, St. Phillip. to the call for reparation on this Haynes DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 BOOKS

Sacred Secrets: Shedding the Shackles of my Shame A Shocking Story of Abuse and Trauma Phone:(864) 595 1741 See more at: http://xpressblogg.com/books/ By Verian Mentis-Barker, Publicist 37 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

38 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5

GUYANESE CELEBRATE JUBILEE IN JAMAICA A Newspaper Supplement to be published 26th May, 2016 Kingston, Jamaica Independence Day Flag Raising 26th May, 2016 Emancipation Park-Kingston Jamaica Health and Legal Aid Fair June, 2016v Bog Walk, St Catherine-Kingston Jamaica A Banquet/ dinner with as Guest Speaker September, 2016 Jamaica Pegasus Hotel - Kingston, Jamaica A one day conference/Summit to co-inside with the President’s visit (to be held at the UWI Regional Headquarters) eve Sep, 2016 UWI Regional Headquarters- Kingston, Jamaica

GUYANESE JUBILEE OBSERVATIONS IN CANADA Flag Raising Ceremony 26th May, 2016 Ottawa City Hall Gala (Ottawa) 7th May, 2016 (tentative) Ottawa/Montreal Flag Raisings Ceremony (2 Locations) 26th May, 2016 - (Time TBD) (afternoon) Winnipeg City Hall; Portage and Main 50th Anniversary of Guyana’s Independence Gala Banquet 28th May, 2016 Canad Inn Polo Park (6:00 PM- 1:00 AM) JUBLIEE OBSERVATIONS IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY Interfaith Prayer Service June 4th, 2016 Queens Unity Concert June 4th, 2016 Brooklyn Symposium: Guyana at 50: Understanding our Independence Journey June 5th, 2016 Queens Exhibition of Guyanese Art, June 6th, 2016 Manhattan Invest Guyana Business Investment Conference June 7th, 2016 Manhattan Guyana Gives Back" Day of Volunteerism June 8th, 2016 Queens & Brooklyn United Nations Reception to Commemorate 50 Years of Membership June 9th, 2016 Manhattan Flag Raising Ceremony June 9th, 2016 Paul Robeson, East Orange, New Jersey Cultural Extravaganza June 10th,2016 Prospect High School Performing Arts Theater, Brooklyn, New York State Dinner & Awards Ceremony (evening) June 11th, 2016 Manhattan President’s Cup Soccer Tournament & Youth Fun Day June 11th, 2016 Brooklyn Mashramani in New York June 12th, 2016 Brooklyn

JUBILEE OBSERVATIONS IN FLORIDA Guyana Day 2016- By Guyana Inc 29th May, 2016 West Palm Beach Independence Gala-By Guyana Day Inc 4th Jun, 2016 West Palm Beach Family Fun Day- Guyanese American Cultural Assn 5th Jun , 2016 Orlando CCUSA VS Guyana Amazon Warriors- Cricket Council USA 23rd -28th Jun, 2016 Guyana Family Fun Day 7th Aug, 2016 Ft. Lauderdale 39 DIASPORA TIMES MONTHLY NEWS MAGAZINE ISSUE 2 VOLUME 5 DIASPORA TIMES INTERNATIONAL

“VICTORIA REGIA”- Guyana’s National Flower

40