GIHR Herstory Magazine February 2023

Page 1

https://issuu.com/hazelwoolford/docs/gihr-herstorymagazine_february 2023

Website address: http://hazelwoolford.wix.com/gihr gihrinstitute@yahool.com/ gihrinstitut@gmail.com/ hazelwoolford@yahoo.com

Published online monthly since 2016

The Guyana Institute of Historical Research is a partner of the Guyana Cultural Association of New York. Professor Dr. Aubrey Thompson, of Morgan State University is the GIHR representative. The Institute is also a partner of the IndoCaribbean Cultural Centre.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1

Acknowledgements

Deon Abrams

Paul Moore

Dillon Goring

Tota Mangar

Nigel Westmaas

Timothy Crichlow

Fitz Gladstone Alert

David Hinds

Thomas Singh

Hazel Woolford

Kumar Mahabir

Dhanpal Narine

Videographers/Photographers

Lawrence Gaskin

Natasha Azeez

Walter George Contributor Vibert Cambridge

2
contents Honouring the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham on the centenary of his birth in pictures.4 Truth of Burnham's visionary leadership must be told 9 History in focus 12 Mashramani 13 Guyana: 53 years as a Republic – By The GHK Lall Column. 20 Quotes of the First Lady of Guyana. 22 Lest we forget: THE GREAT 1763 BERBICE SLAVE REBELLION. 24 Visit of Antom de Kom lecturers and graduate students to Guyana. 25 Natasha Singh-Lewis and mental health. 28 GIHR Call for papers and abstracts for the Sixteenth Conference Theme: Race relations, cultures and, Politics. 29 Letitia Wright. 37 Promoting literacy since 2000
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
Table of
Plan to attend the Sixteenth GIHR Conference. The Registration fee is only $10,000.00
Tangerine Clarke. dpi
Submit a poem in honor of the 1823 Demerara slave rebellion

Editors of GIHR Herstory

Managing Editor Hazel Woolford

Archives Editor Nadia Gamel-Carter

Fashion Editor Natasha Azeez

History Education Editor Ann Thompson

Arts and Culture Editor Cleon Cadogan

African Affairs Editor Inomusa Ndlovu

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

3
4
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion Honouring the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham on the centenary of his birth in pictures 20 February 20, 2023 marks the centenary of the birth anniversary of the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
5
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
6
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
7
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
8
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Truth of Burnham's visionary leadership must be told

Dear Editor,

The People’s National Congress Reform on Monday 20th February 2023 observed the Centennial birth anniversary of its Founder and Leader, Guyana’s First Prime Minister and First Executive President, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, O.E., SC. The celebrations are being done in collaboration with the Forbes Burnham Foundation and will run until the 20th February 2024. There have been many accomplishments by the late LFS Burnham, but many have and are still attempting to discredit and downplay the contributions of this great visionary Leader who was ahead of his time. From my readings and analysis of the work and contributions of the Late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham O.E., SC, I have concluded that he was a patriot with an enormous vision for Guyana and its six races. I have heard of the many challenges he faced with his political opponents, but this did not deter him from his major objectives such as – taking Guyana into Independence on May 26, 1966, seeing our nation become a Republic, on February 23, 1970 and moulding Guyana’s destiny. I listened to his speeches, interviews and how he dealt professionally and candidly with journalists, locally and internationally. I have also read a few of his articles and have concluded that, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham was indeed a gift from God who was birthed here in Guyana for a purpose.

The late Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham did not just lead Guyana to Independence or Republican Status, but he created institutions such as the Bank of Guyana, CARIFESTA, Co-Operatives, Agri- Bank, Mortgage Finance Bank, National Insurance Scheme, for which he was highly condemned and criticized. This institution was referred to as “SIN,” by Burnham’s political opponent, the late Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Monies from this same Scheme were later used by the PPP Government to construct the Berbice Bridge and other projects outside of its mandate. Also, credit should be given to Mr. Burnham for the establishment of regional structures, which now see the decentralization of Government programmes. Burnham also established the Local Government System, which allows for NDCs and Municipalities to be governed by residents and officials from their local areas. Education was a top priority for LFS Burnham. During his time, he constructed Multilateral Schools and President’s College which is downplayed today by those sitting in the seat of Government. Yes, it was Burnham who allowed “education to be free from Nursery to Tertiary,” and ensured it was enshrined in our Constitution. This free education was abolished by the PPP in 1994. Other established learning institutions are, University of Guyana, the Government Technical

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

9

Institute, CPCE, to name a few. May I further hasten to say Editor, that many in the current PPP/C party, whether Leadership or otherwise benefitted from “Free Education” under the PNC administrations. Housing was another key and critical priority for Burnham and his administration. If we are to conduct a survey, we will find evidence of the many housing schemes still standing since the 1970s, including concrete roads.

Burnham felt that in order for Guyana to advance to “a developed nation,” infrastructure is pivotal. Hence, the construction of the Linden-Soesdyke Highway, Demerara Harbour Bridge, Canje Bridge, to name a few. He was also instrumental in advancing discussions on hydropower for Guyana, which would have benefitted our brothers and sisters in the hinterland regions significantly. The roads and water system, inherited after coming to office in 1964, were not without its challenges, but with determination and commitment roads were constructed and potable water was provided to many communities.

Though I had not the privilege of meeting this great son of Guyana’s soil, I have been mesmerized by the fascinating stories told to me of the benefits and accomplishments of persons who completed the eighteen months training programme in the Guyana National Service. This was an opportunity given to young people to acquire skills for their personal development. Many have since made invaluable contributions to society. This was another initiative for which Burnham was demonized in Guyana, but which was copied by other Caribbean member states. Today, there is no safety net providing similar opportunities for young people, many of whom now fall prey to antisocial behaviour and crime.

Additionally, I was told of the many local factories established by LFS Burnham. His passion for agriculture was evidenced through his government’s policy on Feed, Clothe and House the nation by 1976. Guyana had its own agro processing plant, we canned local fruits and juices, there was the glass factory, clay brick factory and many more.

Editor, I appeal to all right-thinking Guyanese who served then or had the opportunity to interface, engage, interact, or benefitted from this great Leader’s contributions to Guyana, to share our history with their children and family. The truth of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham’s national leadership, as he sought to work with our six races to mould Guyana’s destiny as One People, One Nation with One Destiny, must be told,

Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, O.E., SC was a patriotic visionary who has left an indelible mark on the development landscape of this beautiful country of ours.

Long live the legacy of LFSB!!!!

Long live the PNCR!!!!!

Yours sincerely,

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

10
11
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

History in focus

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

12
13
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion Mashramani
14
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
15
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
16
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
17
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
18
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
19
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
20
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Guyana: 53 years as a Republic – By The GHK Lall Column

Kaieteur News – After 53 years of existence as a Republic, Guyana should have so much more to show for that time, so much to be proud about, even boast about, considering our fabulous endowments. In people. In the fruits of the earth, and now of the sea. In the reality of potential and possibilities actually in our hands, in how well we are now positioned. Though I am loathe to acknowledge, after 53 years, we have fallen short of our grand promise, been a huge disappointment. So much given, so little to show for it.

Half of our citizens, however counted, have foreign addresses as their home. The most telling demographic is our youth, the vigorous bloodstream of a polity and people, only for them to live and relive the ancient prejudices and bigotries of their forebears. It is what punishes our social environment, what tampers with our minds, yokes our thinking. We can have all the riches in the world (and we do), but if we do not have the skills and smarts and strengths to make the most expansive (inclusive) use of them, then we are all the poorer for what we have failed to contemplate, prioritize, achieve. We have failed to do so, haven’t we?

Our strengths have been neither ethical nor noble. Rather, they have been of what is political leadership craftiness, and supporting citizenship cunning, that leaves us not as a Republic of sturdy proportions, one standing on its own feet and operating on its own steam. But of a society that is the pity of the world, and one still a chronic charity case. Anybody and everybody that is not Black or Brown or Beautiful Originals of Guyana’s earth is welcomed and embraced as our heroes; our saviors to point us on the way forward.

They have done so with one hand on our shoulder, and the other in our purse. We call ourselves leaders and citizens of a proud Republic, an almost incomparably rich one. Yet we are content to remain in this dreadful impoverished state, so beholden we Guyanese are to the whims, artifices, and contrivances of foreigners. We were divided before, and with a whole lot traceable to those interfering outsiders starting in their pale strategies of centuries ago, and which became apparent in their putrid cruelties and social devastations just 60-70 years ago: Divide. Devastate. Drain. Yet, being the suckers for punishment, the weaklings, that we are, we yielded again to their overtures and their maneuvers.

At one time, around that same six to seven decades ago, Guyanese were among the most literate people in the world; in the top five, if my recall is accurate. The havocs of the 60s and 70s resulted in not just capital flight, but the flight of this country’s human capital, with its cream gone. We ought to have been self-taught, transform into the best of self-instructors. Unless we genuinely commit to holding hands, and maintaining a single head, then we become prone to the machinations of those who scheme over our property, our patrimony, and stunt our prosperity.

I exhort my fellow Guyanese on this Republic anniversary to examine how stunned our leaders are. Look at how they walk around like controlled zombies, theirs is the stunted shadow of helpless sleepwalkers subject to the directions, the push and pull, of those who hold the strings of this Republic in their fingers stained with what is detrimental to our interests. For us to remain divided and at each other’s throat is

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

21

the best of all outcomes, while foreigners work their commercial sorceries, which enrich their treasuries, their own peoples.

I urge my fellow citizens across the national canvas of this Cooperative Republic of Guyana, to not look on neighbor and competitor as enemy, but as fellow strivers in the shared objective of a country of which all of us can be proud. Scrutinize what we have and there is nothing about what is ‘cooperative’ in either our hearts or our visions. Nor of a Republic reveling in its own authentic strengths, the beauties of its citizens. Nor of a Guyana that is this economic Nirvana, this arcade of a social utopia, that it is made out to be.

Who we are and what we live with is a limping Republic, and all due to our willing prostrations before the alphabet soup of powers, who say they know what is best for us. Perhaps, they really do because of what we have allowed them to do to us in this Republic of inequity, amid an ongoing litany of countless political iniquities. In this Republic of Guyana that should have been, we could have been a contender for the status of a respected champion. We relish, instead, being a perennial pretender. Such is the graceless state of our Cooperative Republic of Guyana. For whatever it is worth: my tidings to all citizens. Be assured that they are good.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

22

Quotes of the First Lady of Guyana

1. May Lord Shiva bless you with joy, peace, and harmony on the auspicious occasion of Mahashivratri. Wishing you and your family a very Happy Mahashivratri.

2. Last evening, the President and I hosted a cocktail reception at our residence - State House - in honour of several Heads of Government and their delegations who are currently in Guyana for the International Energy Conference and Expo 2023.

3. After having met with Guyana’s Ambassador to Qatar, H.E. Safraaz Shadood, I was lead on a tour of the Embassy which was recently opened in Doha. I was privileged to be able to open the One Guyana lounge at the Embassy, before viewing an exhibition of Guyanese-made products. Later in the afternoon, I met with and engaged the hardworking staff of the Embassy and a group of Guyanese who currently live in Qatar. Grateful for the opportunity to connect with our folks who are doing great work in this part of the world.

4. On the sidelines of the dedication ceremony for Prosperity, I met with President of China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) International, Mr Tian Lixin, to update him on some of my ongoing projects and programmes and explore areas for collaboration between the oil company and my Office. I was sure to highlight those projects which focus heavily on finding permanent solutions to improve the welfare of the most vulnerable Guyanese, and was most pleased to hear Mr Lixin reaffirm his company’s commitment to ensuring it fulfils its corporate social responsibility in Guyana. Following the meeting, I presented him with a copy of the ‘Rupununi: Rediscovering a Lost World’ publication.

5. Having a guided tour of our third FPSO, Prosperity, with the vessel’s manager, Nadia Stampes, and in the company of officials from ExxonMobil, CNOOC, SBM, and Keppel among others. I had the

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

23

A joyous and festive Lunar New Year and Spring Festival to all!

unique opportunity to observe several sections of this mega facility including the oil, gas and water processing and offload metering modules; and was able to personally meet and thank some of the 4,000 committed workers who made this possible amidst challenges posed by the pandemic. Prosperity, of which I am godmother, will be deployed about 200 kilometres offshore Guyana to produce roughly 220,000 barrels of oil per day. It weighs 110,000 metric tonnes, measures 342M in length, 60m in width, and 25m in height, and has a minimum lifespan of 20 years.

Lest we forget: THE GREAT 1763 BERBICE SLAVE REBELLION

Today, 27th February, is the most unrecognized historic date in our country, but marks the anniversary of one of our most momentous events. It marks the start of the Great 1763 Berbice Slave Rebellion. Right now, most of you would be saying “Wait, isn’t February 23rd the anniversary date?” While the popular view has always been that this history-making event began on February 23rd on Plantation Magdalenenburg on the Canje river, more careful history research now tells us that both the date and the location are wrong. The 1763 Rebellion started on February 27th on the main Berbice river itself. Therefore, the revolt on Magdalenenburg on February 23rd was not part of Coffy’s master plan. It was a separate event that was confined to one estate. Most of the revolters escaped to Suriname.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

24

The Coffy-led revolution started four days later on the Berbice river on Plantation Hollandia. The revolutionaries seized control of all the plantations in the upper Berbice above Fort Nassau. That Coffy could have masterminded in secrecy so massive an operation across so many estates testifies to his brilliance as a planner and leader. What made the Berbice Revolution great? ONE. it lasted over a year far longer than was then typical for slave uprisings.

TWO. Coffy established a nation state. A government was formed, with Coffy as governor and appointed deputies such as Atta, Acabre, Acara and Fortyn (appointed Governor of Canje). An army of 600 fighters was trained. Agriculture was organized. Workshops were set up to repair and make arms. Communication among the estates was set up.

THREE. Coffy sought to export revolution from the Berbice basin to the Canje basin and, critically, to the colony of Demerara.

FOUR. There was written correspondence between the liberated Africans and the Dutch governor, an almost unique occurrence in the history of slave risings. Coffy sent his first letter to Governor Hoogenheim to explain the cause and objective of the rebellion and to warn the Dutch of further attacks if they did not leave for Holland as speedily as possible.

Whether February 23 or 27, let us not forget that our Republic Day was inspired by a Great War of Liberation in 1763 in Berbice. This event is rightly seen as the first of the great revolutions of enslaved Africans an event of such proportions that it threatened to upturn the colonial order of the time.

(Art: Barrington Braithwaite)

Visit of Antom de Kom lecturers and graduate students to Guyana

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

25

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

26
27
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

The graduate students of the Anton de Kom University visited Guyana from 20-23 February. Drs Kirtie Algoe, Jack Menke and, Mr. Jaïr Schalkwijk . They visited the University of Guyana campuses at Tain, Berbice as well as, Turkeyen, Demerara, Parliament Buildings, the National Archives, and the CARICOM Secretariat.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

28

Natasha Singh-Lewis and mental health

In Region 10 I presented the Opening Remarks at the 1st mental Health sensitization session under the theme " Mental Wellness: providing hope for our women and girls"

Sister Shonell James and her Team from Sisters Together Inc. recognised the need to engage and equip our women and girls so they can continue to be wholesome as they are empowered to continue to work in their community. The response was overwhelming, the interaction was encouraging. We are grateful to our facilitator, Psychologist Mr. Wil Campbell and team for an awesome job.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

29

GIHR Call for papers and abstracts for the Sixteenth Conference

Theme: Race relations, cultures and, politics

Welcome reception

Date: 22 June 2023

Time: 6 pm.

Plenary sessions

Date: 23-24 June 2023

Time: 9am-5 pm daily.

Guyana Institute of Historical Research 2023 Virtual Conference

Theme: Race relations, cultures and, politics

Welcome reception

Date: 22 June 2023

Date: 23-24 June 2023

Time: 9am-5 pm daily

Abstracts and proposals will be accepted by 9 June 2023. Hosted by the Guyana Institute of Historical Research

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

30
‘Latent effect ’ (2021) by Keith Agard

The Guyana Institute of Historical Research is pleased to call for papers and abstracts for its 16th Annual Conference.

For the 2023 conference, the committee will consider proposals on all aspects of Race relations, cultures and, politics, especially encouraging submissions that reflect on this year’s theme; submissions that focus on other topics will also be entertained by the Committee. Submissions of pre-organized panels and roundtables are strongly encouraged.

During the TWO days Conference, each panel will have 3-4 presenters (each 20-15 min., respectively), possibility of submission of a partial session with at least 2 presenters. Panel, roundtable, and pictorial proposals will include the following information: following criteria:

Proposal explains the topic, research questions, methodologies, and historiographic significance in ways that specialists and non-specialists alike can understand. (10 points)

Proposal presents new findings or revisions of long-held interpretations. (10 points) Panel proposals must include a panel title and 300-word abstract summarizing the theme of the panel; paper title and a 300-word abstract for each paper proposed; and a one-page professional curriculum vitae for each panelist (including the chair and commentator).

Roundtable proposals must include a roundtable title, a 300-word abstract summarizing the roundtable’s themes and points of discussion, and a one-page curriculum vitae for each participant (including the moderator, if any).

Individual paper proposals are also welcome and must include a paper title, 300-word abstract of the paper, and one-page vita with contact information and email address. If accepted, individual papers will be assigned by the program committee to an appropriate panel with a chair and commentator.

Volunteers, who wish to serve as chairs and commentators should send a one-page curriculum vitae to one of the following persons:

GIHR Conference specialist Syndrene Harris –syndrene.harris @uog.gy.com

Registrar Hazel Woolford –gihrinstitut@gmail.com/hazelwoolford@yahoo.com

Proposals will be judged according to the Proposal addresses the conference theme. (5 points)

Participants may present one paper, serve on a roundtable, or provide panel comments. They may not fill more than one of these roles during the conference, with the following exception: Members who act as panel chairs may deliver a paper, serve on a roundtable, or offer comments in another session. You may invite persons through the print or social media to be members of your panel. Members who serve as both the chair and commentator of a single session may not present in another session. If members attach themselves to more than one proposal in violation of the above rules, then the first proposal that arrives will be considered by the program committee and any subsequent proposals that include that member will be rejected.

All the correspondence, other than related to paper abstracts submission and acceptance, should be sent by e-mail for the Conference Organizing Committee, to the attention of the GIHR Conference specialist Syndrene Harris - syndrene.harris @uog.gy.com

The Organizing Committee would appreciate your familiarizing the members of your research/teaching unit, as well as all interested colleagues, with the present Announcement.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

31

1823-2023.

Tours

32
Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Panels

1. Memorializing an event in history .

a. 1763 Berbice revolution.

b. 1823 Demerara rebellion.

c. 1853. The arrival of the Chinese in British Guiana.

d. 1913 Rose Hall labour protest.

e. 1953 The suspension of the Waddington constitution.

2. The Diasporas: Historical and Contemporary

a. Twice deceived.

b. Illegal immigration.

c. Little Guyana.

d. The Caribbean nationals and colonials and the British government.

e. Kamla Harris, Jamaica and Modi.

3. Africans and the human condition.

a. Contributions of Africans to the Founding of Civilizations

b. The trans-Saharan slave trade.

c. Slave trade, slavery and manumission in Africa, Europe and the Americas.

d. Africans, apartheid and South Africa.

e. Migrants and Expatriates

f. Africans in India.

g. Afro-Futurism

4. Christianity and Indian immigration

a. The Presbyterian church.

b. Berbice High School.

c. The Lutheran church.

d. Christian school teacher in the class room, practicing Hindu priest at home.

e. The plantation owner and the religion of labourers.

f. Gender, women, race and, identity

g. The feminization of the University.

5. Gender, women and, small business.

a. Gender based violence in the plantation society.

b. People trafficking.

6. Libraries, special collections, and historical bibliographies.

a. The Academic teaching library.

7. Main trends in education

a. Education policy.

b. Teaching Caribbean history in a plural society.

c. Adult education and learning.

d. Future learning.

e. Politics and education.

f. Ethnic studies.

g. Caribbean studies.

h. Private schools

8. Business and ethnicity.

a. Plantation economy and businesses.

b. Portuguese and businesses.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

33

c. Yesu Persaud.

d. The tea plantations and the Irish.

e. Industrialization.

f. History of the oil industry in Guyana.

g. Food and nutrition security.

h. Parallel economy.

i. Cash transfers .

j. Socio economic transformation in Guyana and the Caribbean.

k. Guyana National Cooperative Bank.

9. Politics, trade unions and, Indians.

a. Jung Bahadur Singh

b. Jainarine Singh

c. Mohammed Ayube Edun

d. Cheddi Jagan

e. J.P. Latchmansingh.

10. Architecture

a. Gender, women and prisons.

b. Architecture and school buildings in the developing world.

c. Architecture and the construction of hospitals.

d. The Georgetown Public Hospital.

11. Pandemics in the colonies

a. The medical history in the colonies

b. Cholera

c. Malaria

d. Yellow fever

e. The influenza epidemic.

f. Ebola.

g. Covid

h. Monkey pox/small pox.

12. Culture and the Arts.

a. Indian art and artists

b. Doris Rogers

c. Phillip Moore

d. Monuments and public art.

e. Spirituality.

f. The writings of Walter Rodney.

g. The creole world of Guyana and the Caribbean.

h. The Guyana prize.

13. International Relations.

a. The world economic order.

b. Globalization.

c. Non Aligned Movement.

d. The Problem of Territorial Settlements.

e. The Commonwealth of nations and the former members of the British empire.

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

34

REGISTRATION FORM.

Sixteenth Conference of the Guyana Institute of Historical Research

Dr. [] Mr. [ ] Mrs. [ ] Ms. [ ] Prof. [ ]

Name:

Address

Telephone Number: (Home )

E-mail: ____________________________________

Organisation:___________ ____________________

Educator [ ] Post graduate student [ ] Researcher [] Administrator []

Please submit a copy of your conference presentation in the week of the conference, as well as a video presentation/power point for the conference secretariat to share. If unable to do so, please set up your presentation.

Please fill out this form or a photocopy

Contact person: Ms. Syndrene Harris- syndrene.harris @uog.gy.com

Download, scan and return Registration form to gihrinstitut@gmail.com/gihrinstitute@yahoo.com

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

35
____________________________(Office) ____________________________(Cell)
36
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
37
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Letitia Wright

“Chase Purpose and whatever path God leads you down and whatever he calls you to do, do it with excellence and humility” - Dr. Letitia Wright

The first time I saw Letitia Wright act was in a series called black Mirror and even then she stood out ….at the time I had no idea she was Guyanese , when I found out I started reaching out to her …..her IG profile at the time was set to limited so although I knew the chances of her seeing them were slim, I continued to write to her inviting her all through 2018…2019 and continued to write every single year after …sometimes several times a year. When she starred in the first black Panther and then the second one and continued to reference Guyana in all her interviews we knew it was definitely the time for her to be formally invited and our hearts were happy when his Excellency President Irfaan Ali extended the invite and she accepted. She is what Guyana’s young people needed…a role model who inspires not just because she’s a movie star, but a young woman wise beyond her years who has proven she can shatter all the stereotypes, retain her integrity and spirituality and STILL be a movie star. In fact take the movies away and Letitia Wright is still a star, because it’s not her movie roles that defines her, it is her spirit and the good genuine soul that she is which makes her shine! She understands something many of us can learn from : To value the time she has and to use it purposefully and positively.

From the moment she landed she was a bundle of energy, dancing, laughing, hugging everyone and posing for photos with press and with persons invited by the Ministry of tourism to cover her arrival. Her joy & zest for life is infectious , anyone who meets her will express the same sentiments. Her genuine surprise at the warm welcome she received upon landing spoke to how down to earth she is, in-spite of her status as an international celebrity.

We were honored to be part of a state, private media and tourism team that covered the first leg of her visit to a few tourism hotspots organized by the Ministry of tourism. At each spot, again, her genuine enthusiasm for life, her sense of humor and love for her fellow human was evident. She made each and every person feel special and seen.

I recently expressed to her my thanks for coming home and for inspiring so many to follow our God given calling and to live a life of use. She said it means a whole lot to be home and to have had such a warm welcome. Inspite of the fact that she left at such a tender age, she is Guyanese to the bone. She shared many nuggets of wisdom during her time here , I’ll share more in other posts, but one of the most powerful I believe is this one -

“When God spoke to me and told me to go back to acting, I had prepared, I was prepared and that black girl from Guyana with her skin, her hair, her accent, her eyes & personality that God blessed me with, walked into rooms and said “I belong there, I deserve an opportunity too” / preparation met opportunity. The lesson here ? If you worked and prepared, you deserve a seat at the table in rooms you walk into , never let society tell you otherwise.

Congrats to His Excellency President Ali, Hon. Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce , Minister of Education Priya Manichand , Director of tourism Kamrul Baksh and the many

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

38

many many others for their hard work in making her trip a reality and executing all her activities. They did an amazing job. We are honored to have been included. [Visit Guyana]

1823-2023.

39
Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

40
41
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion
42
1823-2023. Bicentennial of the Demerara slave rebellion

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.