Who is the ‘Indian intellectual’?
Dear Editor,
. An activist called Annan Boodram writes letters a couple of years ago blaming persistent suicide patterns in the Indo-Guyanese community on Burnham/PNC, a trope for Black people.
. And if they think the self-defined Indian intellectual is to repeat the foolishness we saw a decade ago about the inferiority of creole culture and the superiority of a millennial Indian culture, all to the applause or silent acquiescence of those now conveniently cavilling about “language”, then they have another think coming.
Remember during the Buxton disorders in 2004 a group of black intellectuals wrote letters clearly condemning and distancing themselves from a current of thought in a fringe of the Afro-Guyanese community calling themselves Freedom Fighters, that since Indians were suffering it was something that should give Blacks satisfaction.
The letters were signed by Andaiye, Kwayana, David Hinds and others who added their voices to the condemnation. This writer included.
Yours faithfully,
Abu Bakr
Points to note.
1. Racist accusations by Indians who purport that they represent the views of the community. SILENCE by that community, which implies that either they agree, or are not bothered.
2. When a group of African engaged in racism a group of Africans loudly condemned it. They were NOT seen as Uncle Toms, and ALL of these enjoy strong reputations among Africans.
So we see a completely different reaction from Indians and Africans.
When some Indians engage in racism SILENCE from Indians....either they agree/or they aren't offended. What is quite evident is that the few Indians who do speak out are condemned as self hating.
When some Africans engage in racism LOUD condemnations from African leaders. They are NOT condemned as self hating Uncle Toms.
BTW Ravi Dev was loud in ridiculing creole culture as a bastardized culture created by the Europeans.