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http://issuu.com/hazelwoolford/docs/gihr_journal_issue_4_2015.docx_e3d459aaeb2fd5 Price $500.

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GIHR News, participated in several activities, which celebrated the emancipation of all African-Guyanese (1626-1838). There was the annual ACDA Festival, the village observances, beauty pageants, outreach programmes, conferences and, distribution of food and school supplies.

The Burnham foundation also held the annual observances on the death anniversary of the late Executive President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, at the Seven Ponds of the Botanical Gardens, as well as the Kitty Headquarters of the National Congress of Women.

On being Black

By Dr. David Hinds Despite being constantly labeled a racist, I will not stop being Black or stop defending Blackness against unwarranted attack.By Dr. David HindsThis letter is overdue. Although I have difficulty writing about myself, I feel a sense of

justification today. There is a larger point to be made, I think. There are times I read things in the press which profile a person I

don’t recognize. Most times I dismiss them as political venom, but sometimes I wonder whether the authors don’t actually believe the things they write. Always, I wonder about the young people who bother to read that stuff.I started my political activism in the 1970s as a young teenager in Buxton, initially as a cultural activist and later as a member of the WPA. By the

time I joined the WPA my sense of myself as an African was fairly well advanced. My early mentors in this regard included Kwame Apata, Kwesi Nkofi, Kimani Nehusi, Ras Michael Jeune and Eusi Kwayana. Schoolteachers such as Clyde Roopchand, Wavney

Inside

1. David Hinds, ‘On being Black’.2. Elton McRae, ‘Cuffy 250

Committee’3. Nigel Westmaas, ‘The African-

Guyanese Press’.4. Hazel Woolford, Gender,

African-Guyanese women and politics in contemporary Guyanese society, 1953-2015’

5. Chronology of African-Guyanese History : 1626-2015

6. KIDS History Vacation School7. Kemetic studies8. ACDA Festival9. Meet the Directors of the

Guyana Institute of Historical Research

10. Valerie Amos

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Seaforth, Yvonne Phenella Abrams, Henry Hinds and, Paul King, among others taught me about an education that was broader and larger than schoolroom learning. Looking back I think my sense of worth, despite being Black and poor, developed in their classes. All of this was happening in a Buxton where African drums rolled continuously, both literally and figuratively as Bob Marley, the Mighty Sparrow, Viv Richards, Walter Rodney and our own Buxtonion, June Marcia Griffith, were crafting a new Caribbean popular narrative out of what poet, Martin Carter, called the “Niggeryard of yesterday.” My own aunt, who raised us in the absence of my mom who had migrated in search of a “better life for us”, critically, never warned me away from Black Power and Politics.It was difficult to be a Black youth in Guyana and the Caribbean in the 1970s and not be conscious and proud of your Blackness. “Black is Beautiful” was more than a slogan; it was a way of life. However, that consciousness did not blind some of us to the excesses of the Black political elites of the day in Guyana and the wider Caribbean. In that regard many of my generation are indebted to the teachings and example of a generation of African-Caribbean thinkers and activist, particularly Walter Rodney and Eusi Kwayana who encouraged us to be true to our Blackness but be equally scornful of Black political excesses and domination. That would, therefore, form the basis of my attraction to the WPA’s multiracial politics. I could be my Black self, with all my African pride and dignity, and not be afraid to stand up to a Black Government or join in the defense of the Indian Guyanese community which felt wronged by that government. That is what drove me and two other Buxtonions to join the Workers Stage, a PPP Cultural group, led by the Hon Gail Teixeria who introduced me to Black South African literature. Joining the Workers Stage was a conscious decision to show solidarity with the Indian Guyanese community through drama. It is an experience that I cherish to this day.

Despite the developments in Guyana since 1992 whereby an Indian Guyanese authoritarian government replaced the African Guyanese authoritarian government that we undermined and

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helped to bring down, I do not regret my actions then and would do it again if the circumstances were the same. East Indian political domination today is no reason to regret the fight against African political domination yesterday. However, were I to remain quiet about today’s domination, I would be guilty of the worst form of political hypocrisy. Some people ignore that in their quest to demean and demonize.This brings me to the real purpose of my missive. I just read, in one of the newspapers for the umpteenth time, my name being used in the same sentence with “racism” or “race card.” I have seen it so often that I should not be overly concerned. And I am not. What I am concerned about is the fear that is being driven into Black minds, especially the youth—if you dare talk about race or Blackness, you are racist and want to cause racial trouble. In our Guyana, today, any talk of Black anything condemns you to the crazy fringe which is intent on bringing race war to Guyana. Most of the time the discourse on race frustrates. Racial consciousness is called racism. Racial identity is deemed anti-Guyanese. Prejudice is called racism. Victims of racism are called upon to prove racism.

We live in a highly racialized society that is encouraged to silence race. Those who want to silence discussion on race generally want to practice racism without it being detected. After all, if a society is racially illiterate, it cannot identify racism. Racism does not exist without power. Racism is when the representatives of one ethnic group use institutional power such as the power of the state to control or dominate another group or to turn ethnic prejudices and stereotypes into public policy and government action or to use the formal institutions of power to defend one group and attack the other group. That person who wrote about the PPP

directing the police to kill Black youth has not the slightest understanding of how racism operates. The PPP government does not have to direct the police to kill Africans; I would be surprised if it does. But, as the civilian directors of the armed forces, it can direct them not to do it or face consequences. To the best of my knowledge it has not demonstrably done so.Some have said that I have race on my mind. I do. I do, because I am an African and race was created to justify and continue the enslavement of my fore parents. And in the aftermath of slavery, Africans have continued to be disproportionately victimized by institutional racism wherever they reside. Having race on my mind is my first defense against racism. It will stay there.Yes, I believe that African Guyanese have not been treated fairly since 1992. And I feel a sense of duty to fight on their behalf and with them to reverse that, partly because I an African Guyanese, but partly because I come from a tradition of standing in the defense of the powerless regardless of ethnicity. So, despite being constantly labeled a racist, I will not stop being Black or stop defending Blackness against unwarranted attack or stop encouraging Blacks to struggle to do better or to continue to fight for a shared Guyana based on equal justice. Those who think that asserting ones Blackness is the same as asserting anti-Indianess are the ones who need to be watched carefully. I started in the 1970s being firmly against domination by any race and I am still driven by that. I don’t mind being judged, among other things, by the color of my skin—just judge me fairly. I like being Black, Guyanese and Caribbean.

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The Cuffy 250 CommitteeBy Elton McRae

The Cuffy 250 Committee came together in 2013 to observe the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Revolt, led by Cuffy, against the Slave System. We wanted to celebrate and draw inspiration from our fore parents who resisted slavery. We wanted people to remember that though enslaved against their will, they did not sit down and do nothing. They did not accept that they were born to be slaves. They resisted and fought back. But more than that, we wanted to

draw attention to the deteriorating economic, political, social and cultural condition in the African Guyanese community today and to say to our people that just as your fore parents struggled to change their situation, you can do so today.We held a big forum in Georgetown in August 2013, Over 400 people attended. We learned that things were not that good in the African Guyanese community. Education is in shambles; our children are not performing as they should. We learned that the economic situation is equally bad—high unemployment and not enough resources to start businesses. We learned that the social situation is the same. Our young people are the subject of police violence. Drugs and crime are taking over our community. Violence against women and children is on the rise. We learned that our people are not sufficiently conscious of their African heritage –their history and culture. In short, the African Guyanese community is in serious trouble.

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There and then we decided something must be done to turn back this situation. We decided that we would do two things. First, we embarked on an education program intended to make people more aware of our great contributions to humanity in general and to Guyana in particular. Towards this end we have held forums every two weeks in Georgetown. Second, we started to go into communities and work with them to use their own energies to correct the situation. We call it Self Activity and Self Reliance for Self Emancipation. In other

words we are saying that you the people in your communities can use what you have to begin the process of revitalization. We went to Linden, to Dartmouth and we came right here on the West Bank—to Sisters-Good Intent, Stanleytown and Bagotville. We encouraged people to form groups and begin to organize for change. We have since made small steps in that direction.

We intend to continue the discussion.

But more than that, we intend to use the occasion to plan how to begin to do real concrete things. Particularly, we want to do something about education, the economy and violence. So come out and let us plan how to get our children to begin to do well again. Think what a difference it would make if we can have a Cuffy 250 Community Education Program in every village on the West Side where our children can benefit from our best teachers and tutors. If we can get them to do better in education we will change a lot. We will decrease crime. We will get better jobs. We will become more conscious.

Come out and let us plan how to get into the business sector—start our own small businesses. A big part of our poor condition is that as a community we are not making money. We are not producing. We are not feeding ourselves. We do not have enough businesses in our community. We are not economically self-reliant. We are relying on others to feed us and employ us.Come out and let us talk how to deal with police brutality and how to stop the violence against women and children in our communities. Too much precious blood is being foolishly shed in our communities. There are too many fatherless and motherless children resulting from violence in our communities.Many people have asked us—What can I do to make things better? Our

answer is simple—Be part of the beloved community of change: Han Wash Han mek Han Come Clean. Now is the time for us to be the change we want and need.

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Now is the time show that we are the descendants of Cuffy. Let us all—teachers, youth, farmers, elders, nurse, women, housewives, men, students— win this fight to better our conditions Guyana will be a better place.CUFFY 2015 youth camps were held at Bagotsville, Stanley town and, Goed Intent.

Note:Cuffy 250 is made up of a group of Guyanese in the USA and Guyana who came together in 2013 to observe the 250th anniversary of the Berbice Revolt, led by Cuffy, against the slave system. We wanted to celebrate and draw inspiration from our foreparents who resisted slavery. We wanted people to remember that though enslaved against their will, they did not sit down and do nothing. They did not accept that they were born to be slaves. They resisted and fought back. But more than that, we wanted to draw attention to the deteriorating economic, political, social and cultural condition in the African Guyanese community today and to say to our people that just as your foreparents struggled to change their situation, we can do so today.

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Buxton First of August Movement Conference.The Buxton First of

August movement held its annual weekend conference at the Buxton Friendship Primary School, in August. The theme of the Conference was, ‘Towards the restoration of African Guyanese Cultural Pride’. The Speakers included, First Lady Sandra Granger, Minister of Education, Dr. Rupert Roopnarine,

Dr. Kimani Nehusi, Mr. Vincent Alexander, Ayana McCalmont and, Dr. David Hinds.The presenters dealt with such issues as the village movement, race and racism, black business,

education and, literacy.

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The African- Guyanese Press in the 19th Century(Reprinted from Emancipation #7, 1999- 2000)

By Nigel Westmaas

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One of the most striking features of post –emancipation British Guiana was the speed and facility with which the enslaved Africans established themselves in several new spheres of life. One of these was the village movement. But there was also progress in the media: just four years after emancipation, in 1842, the first African Guianese nespaper, the Freeman’s Sentinel, was launched.

This bold development saw the advent of a vibrant, 19th century African-Guianese press. Of the approximately 45 newspapers published in British Guiana in the 19th

century, at least nine were owned and editedby African-Guianese. This was no small achievement, given the severe economic and politicalrestrictions the Africans faced after years of enslavement, with its attendant physical and psychological deprivations.

Although free from slavery, there was little respite for the aspiring African entrepeneur, whether he wished to launch a small business or enter a career in journalism. Moreover, in a situation where even plnter newspapers collapsed under the pressure of financial problems and periodic censorship, the survival of a few of these newspaper for more than 10 years and, in one case, for over 20 years, is significant. Not only did this press, represent the previously enslaved Africans energetically, but it did so in the language, idiom and format that even bettered, on occasion, that of Victorian newspaper masters.

This article will attempt a brief review of most of these newspapers.The Freeman’s Sentinel

Established by the British Guiana African Association, the Sentinel’s creators were drawn mainly from the ‘middle class’ of the coloured and African community who, according to one source, were frustrated by their inability to enter the cvil service. They included a teacher-editor (Belgrave); a journalist (Robert Mac Farlane); a Surinamese druggist (J.M. Vries); an ex-police inspector (Oudkirk); and a cathechist connected to the London Missionary Society (Mac Farlane).

In its short but active existence, the paper encouraged “ex-slaves to build and unite the family and to fulfil their to the African community” and focused on other issues of import in post- emancipation Guiana, including the challenge posed by the rise of the Portuguese business sector. The Freeman’s Sentinel predicted correctly, with some trepidation, that this sector would become dominant by the 1850s.

In addition, the paper faced hostility from several quarters, including the Governor and other newspapers. Governor Henry Light (1838-1848) accused it of “false representations, reckless of truth & justice and exciting discontent in the masses” after the newspaper gave support to the 1842 labourers’ strike in the sugar industry. He further charged the paper with “ripping up old stories” of White oppression and publishing them to gain Black support and provoke discord between Blacks and Whites. In a letter to the British Secretary of State for the Colonies, the Governor accused the Sentinel of virulently attacking anyone who was opposed to its “coloured pretensions”.

Even though the Freeman’s Sentinel did not survive the 1840s, it had successfully pioneered the African-Guianese press.The Creole

The second major African- Guianese newspaper to emerge in the colony was the Creole, in October 1856, just a few months after the ‘Angel Gabriel’ anti- Portuguese riots of the same year. Published bi-weekly in its initial phase, the Creole proudly carried the motto “He that would be helped,

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must help himself”, in each issue. Arguing in its maiden mission statement that the paper was intended as a “poor man’s Journal”, it described the Creole as a

Moderate company, devoted to the circulationof useful, political, and general information, andto a fair, fearless but dignified criticism of publicmeasures, and the acts of public men …In a reference to the 1856 riots, for example, the newspaper argued that “the whole race of

Creoles” in the colony was “laboring under misrepresentations and calumnies for crimes and outrages committed by the lowest of them …”. In light of this, it declared the: “poor man of British Guiana needs an advocate and that advocate, it is hoped, he will find in the Creole.”

Edited by J.W. Braithwaite, who also doubled as the paper’s proprietor. The Creole would acquire a reputation for representing certain problems facing the African masses. However, as the quotation above suggests, this representation was limited by the outlook of the Creole’s middle class owners.

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Gender, African-Guyanese women and General elections in the contemporary Guyanese society, 1953-2015

By Hazel Maria Woolford

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This article examines gender equity and African- Guyanese women in the General elections in the contemporary society, from 1953 to 2015. In his work, Centenary History and Handbook of British Guiana ( Georgetown: The Argosy Company, 1931, reprinted by the Guyana Heritage Society in 2008), A.R.F. Webber had observed that in the first half of the twentieth century African- Guyanese females had campaigned vigorously for the election of their male counterparts. During the second half of the twentieth century Portuguese women had become very visible in the political campaigns. However, it was the African –Guyanese females who predominated in the General elections since 1953 as political activists, candidates, as members of the audiences at the political meetings and, finally as voters. The rough and tumble of politics eliminated many potential female candidates. Researchers of women in politics have found that certain conditions had to be met, irrespective of her ethnicity, in order for any female candidate to successfully compete and survive the rigours of politics. These conditions, will now be examined:

1. Age range- Women who were within the age range of 40 to 60 were selected as candidates for parliament, because they were more appealing to the electorate. While their skin begins to lose the luster of youth, they have entered the most creative phase of their lives.

2. Clothes – The female candidate’s choice of clothing, determined her selection as a parliamentarian by the leader of the political party. The clothing said a lot about one’s socio-economic status and was an expression of her as a person.

Their status and role is examined in the elections of the

24 April, 1953, 12 August, 1957, 21 August, 1961,7 December, 1964,16 December, 1968,16 July, 1973,15 December, 1980,9 December, 1985,5 October, 1992,15 December, 1997,19 March, 2001,

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28 August, 200628 November 2011, and in the selection process for the Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates for the Presidential and Prime Ministerial candidates for the 2011 General elections.

Secondly, the paper has been divided into the following periods1. The PPP led by Dr. Cheddi Jagan first term in office from April to October,1953 and

from 1957 to 1964.2. The PNC administration led by Forbes Burnham, governed Guyana from 1964 to 1985.3. The PNC administration under Desmond Hoyte era, which lasted from 1985 to 1992.4. Dr. Cheddi Jagan’s term as PPP/C President from 1992 to 1997.5. Dr. Samuel Hinds served as PPP/ C President from March 1997 to 19 December, 1997.6. PPP/C President Mrs. Janet Jagan’s term lasted from 1997 to 1999.7. The PPP/ C Presidency of Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo from 1999- 2011.8. The PPP Presidency of Donald Ramotar since 2011.9. Mr. Robert Corbin’s leadership of the PNC and the Parliamentary Opposition since 2

May, 2003. 10. Mr. David Granger’s leadership of APNU.11. The Alliance For Change Party since 2005.12. The Joint Opposition Political Parties (JOPP),

of the Leader of the People’s National Congress Reform – 1 Guyana (PNCR – 1G), Mr. Robert Corbin

the Co- Leaders of the Working People’s Alliance (WPA), Professor Clive Thomas and, Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine

the Guyana Action Party (GAP)MP, Mr. Everall Franklin and, the Leader of the National Front Alliance (NFA), Mr. Keith Scott formed a coalition,

which had the nomenclature, A Partnership for National Unity (APNU) which was established on Friday 24 June, 2011. This association of political parties, Guyanese organizations and citizens came together to contest the 2011 General and Regional Elections.

Outstanding African- Guyanese personalities who fought for the reelection of their political parties include, Jessica Huntley( PPP), Philomena Sahoye- Shury (PPP/C) Shirley Edwards ( PPP/C), Jennifer Westford (PPP/C) , Jennifer Webster (PPP/C); Jessica Burnham (PNC), Jane Phillips- Gay (PNC), Winifred Gaskin (PNC), Raj Latchmansingh (PNC), Neta Fredericks (PNC), Lucille Cox- David (PNC), Gertie Allsopp (PNC), Mary Bissember (PNC), Huldah Walcott (PNC), Shirley Field- Ridley (PNC), Joyce Gill (PNC), Lurlena Peters (PNC/R), Deborah Barker (PNC/R), Clarissa Riehl( PNC/R), Genevieve Allen ( PNC/R), Faith Harding (PNC/R), Esther Perreira (PNC/R), Cheryl Sampson (PNC/R), Jenny Wade (PNC/R), Africo Selman ( PNC/R), Vanessa Kissoon (PNC/R), Volda Lawrence (PNC/R) , Joan Baveghens (PNC/R), Sandra Adams(PNC/R), Carol Joseph (PNC/R), Annette Ferguson (PNC) and, Karen Cummings (PNC/APNU); Dinah Peters (UF), Caroline John (UF); Andaiye (WPA), Karen DeSouza (WPA), Bonita Harris (WPA),Joycelyn Dow (WPA); Sheila Holder (AFC), Charlene Wilkinson and, Kathy Hughes (AFC).

Thirdly, in the context of gender, sex and politics, the paper will identify the important role of the African- Guyanese wives of political leaders. Researchers have found that that, the main visible feature of a leader of a country, is his ability to include his wife, in the administration of his political party, or the governance of the country. This inclusion in the political administration and campaigns is evidenced by the role she assumes. This can take different roles, namely,

1. Travelling companion or,2. Advisor on women and gender issues or as 3. A member of the team.

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In fact, in a comparative study of women in politics in Africa, the Caribbean and, Guyana, it will be observed that the role of the wife of a political leader in Africa is taken more seriously than in Guyana and the Caribbean. In 2015, the United Nations reportedThe First Ladies of Africa are calling on the international community to strengthen support for maternal and new-born health. On Monday, the wives of over 30 African presidents met at UN Headquarters in New York at an event organized by Chad and the United Nations Population Fund, UNFPA. According to the UNFPA, the rate of maternal mortality in Africa is still unacceptably high when compared to figures for the rest of the world. Stephanie Coutrix reports.In many countries in Anglophone Africa, the wife is sent to England to special institutions where she is trained to perform the functions of the wife of a politician. Within Guyana, there have been a few stellar examples such as Sheila Burnham, Patricia Benn, Viola Burnham, Yvonne Hinds and, Carol Corbin.

Dr. Sheila Burnham, the first wife of the P.N.C. Founder / Leader, Forbes Burnham, had very active in his political life, when he had run for the office of Mayor of Georgetown. She had accompanied the trade unionists / politicians, Evilina Davis and Jane Phillips- Gay, on the campaign trips.

Mrs. Patricia Benn, the wife of the Deputy Premier of the Dr. Cheddi Jagan P.P.P. administration, was very active in the organization of women. She had been a President of the Women’s People Organization (WPO), the women’s auxiliary of the P.P.P. She had accompanied her husband on several of his State visits.Mrs. Viola Burnham, the second wife of Prime Minister Forbes Burnham, had very active in politics as a young university student in Britain. Her marriage to Burnham helped her to appreciate her early exposure to active politics. She had also accompanied her husband on several State visits. She was a founder-member and, first Vice- President of the Caribbean Women’s Association (CARIWA), an organization of wives of Caribbean Heads of Governments and female politicians. The 1970s was a period of global advocacy for women’s liberation and Viola Burnham was at the hub of the women’s movement in Guyana. She led Guyana’s delegations to congresses in St. Kitts-Nevis (1972); Grenada (1974) and, Trinidad and Tobago (1976), presenting papers on ‘The role of women in politics’ and, ‘Women on the move’. She had also led Guyana’s delegations to the World conferences of the United Nations decade for women in Mexico (1975), Copenhagen (1980) and, Nairobi (1985).

In 1997, Mrs. Janet Jagan had complimented Mrs. Viola Burnham for fashioning the women’s arm of the P.N.C. into the most formidable political women’s organization and, electoral machine in the Caribbean. Burnham had been elected the first Vice-Chairperson of the Women’s Revolutionary Socialist Movement, in 1967, the year of her marriage. She was elected to the Chairmanship of the organization, nine years later. In July 1991, Burnham boasted that she had never participated in an election campaign that her party had not won. She stated that she had been on the campaign trail in 1968, 1973 and 1985 and the P.N.C. had won every time.

The strength of Mrs. Yvonne Hinds, the wife of former P.P.P./ C President Samuel Hinds and Prime Minister since 1999 lay in community activism. Her husband had been the Presidential candidate of the GUARD movement. Her genesis in political activism was in the women’s social organizations in Linden. She had been actively involved in the early childhood programmes and in custodial care of children. When her husband was appointed Prime Minister in the P.P.P./ C administration, Yvonne Hinds chose to continue her political activism by assuming the chair of the Guyana Relief Council (GRC). This organization received a national award in May 2011- the Medal Service award.

After the 28 November 2011 elections, President Donald Ramotar was elected. He did not change the cabinet, which he had inherited from his predecessor, Bharrat Jagdeo. Dr. Jennifer Westford had served as Minister of Public Service under the Jagdeo administration and, continued to hold this portfolio under President Ramotar. Mrs Jennifer Webster, had been a junior Minister in the

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Ministry of Finance, in the Bharrat Jagdeo administration. When the PPP was re-elected to office, Mrs Webster was appointed the Minister of Human Services and Social Security.

Mrs. Carol Corbin, the wife of Mr. Robert Corbin, the Leader of the P.N.C.R.-1G and the Parliamentary Opposition, from 2002 -2011, was effective at mobilization. She promoted the image of the political party as one with a social conscience. It was from this perspective that she insisted that the P.N.C.R. -1G had a social responsibility to prepare and educate the electorate from childhood. She organized successful literacy programmes.

Mrs. Joann Williams, the wife of the Vice-Chairman of the PNC and, Chairman of APNU, had become one of the most visible political wives since her husband’s rise to the upper echelons of the party. Her involvement in fundraising and, community development had contributed to her husband’s election to parliament. In a very real sense, she would have influenced such young political wives as Sandra Jones.

Miss Cheryl Sampson, the chairperson of the National Congress of Women, became an active member of the PNC since she was a youth. Ms. Cheryl Sampson is the National Chairperson of the National Congress of Women (NCW). She was extracted from the PNCR-1G List of Candidates to be sworn in as a member of the National Assembly on 15 January 2009. Ms. Sampson had replaced former PNCR-1G MP James McAllister, who was officially removed from the National Assembly under the recall legislation, which was passed by a constitutional amendment in 2007.

Ms. Sampson, a relative of the late Founder leader of the PNC, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham, was born at Uitvlugt, West Coast Demerara. She attended the Bishops High School and, is a trained teacher. She holds a Post Graduate in Distance Education from the University of London. She started teaching in 1968 and demitted the classroom, in 2002, as a Head Teacher. She is currently the Head of the Georgetown In-Service Centre of the Cyril Potter College of Education.

She had served the People’s National Congress in various capacities. She was elected as the National Women’s representative on the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC). She serves as a Commissioner on the National Commission on Women as an Executive Committee member of the Caribbean Women’s Association.

Ms. Sampson has extensive diplomatic experience. She was a member of several delegations representatives representing Guyana at various International conferences in Cuba, Russia, the Caribbean and elsewhere. She was also a member of the Guyana delegation to the 36 th session of the United Nations in 1981.

In the run up to the election for the Presidential candidate of the PNC, Dr. Faith Harding was one of the nominees, who Mr. David Granger had to compete against. The other contenders were, Mr. Carl Greenidge and, Mr. Basil Williams. Harding’s active involvement in politics had begun when she had been appointed the Minister of Public Service, in the Desmond Hoyte administration. She had also run for Mayor of Georgetown. She had campaigned under the rubric, ‘Preparing Our Workforce for Tomorrow’s Opportunities. Jobs, Opportunity and the future’. Her advocacy campaign was dependent on those issues, which affected women and children. She was opposed to corporal punishment in schools.

Harding subsequently resigned from the PNC, alleging that the electoral process had been unfavourable to women. She continued her community outreach programmes and, supported the PPP. However , on her death, on 23 January 2015, the PNC paid glowing tributes to her, in acknowledgement of her contribution to the party and, its supporters. At her funeral service, the Former Leader of the PNCR-1G, Robert Corbin described Faith Harding as a strong woman, who would always rise again from the ashes.

David Granger assumed the leadership of the PNC in 2011, as well as APNU. This coalition had an African-Guyanese base. Granger has paid more than lip service to gender and politics. He has been

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known to involve women at every level of the party. When the PNC had disciplined the Member of Parliament Vanessa Kissoon, the party’s representative from Linden, he had replaced her with another Party stalwart Sandra Adams.

One of the most active African-Guyanese female leaders during the Granger term was, Mrs. Volda Lawrence. Lawrence, an Accountant was the shadow Minister of Human Services. She effectively mobilized the welfare committee and their service to the elderly, especially those who were institutionalized was well documented.

The role of African-Guyanese women in all political parties, during the General and Regional elections had been instrumental in the election to parliament of their male political leaders. From the constitutional reform of 1891, African-Guianese female political activists campaigned vigorously in every election. This had led to the imposition of the Crown Colony government on British Guiana. In April 1953, when the franchise was extended to all Guianese, it was through the instrumentality of the African-Guianese female politician, Jane Phillips-Gay that the PPP swept the polls. Once again the Guianese were denied the right to govern themselves, when in October, they were removed from office, because of their ideological persuasion.During the post colonial period, Jessica Huntley, Winifred Gaskin, Shirley Field –Ridley, Margaret Ackman, Viola Burnham campaigned until their death for the survival and, relevance of their individual political parties. They were succeeded by young militants, who have seen the genesis of new parties such as the Alliance For Change. While these emerging political activists, in the twenty first century did not confront such hostile verbal attacks, branding them as ‘prostitutes’, nor have they been incarcerated for their political convictions, they have had to address such issues as child protection, custodial care and, for married women their roles as politicians, wives and, parents. The race to parliament as people’s representatives took a new turn in the tenth parliament, when APNU Parliamentarian, Dr. Karen Cummings acknowledged that her husband, Dr Emmanuel Cummings was a member of the PPP.

On 10 November 2014, President Donald Ramotar prorogued Parliament. The 11 May 2015 General and Regional elections were scheduled to break the gridlock in Parliament. This election was determined to test gender disparity, particularly African-Guyanese female candidates. Guyana is one of the few countries in the world, where there is a high representation of women, particularly African-Guyanese. Historically, politicians were elected by their supporters to represent them in parliament and, for community development. The electorate did not send them to parliament for their personal aggrandizement. In the twenty first century, where the gender gap has significantly closed, it was interesting to find out the response of these gender sensitive African-Guyanese females, to the selection of female parliamentarians. The interpretation of the woman’s role is in the home, is still inextricably bound up with domestic violence. Hence the absence of husbands at public functions. It is no mere accident that these factors, influence the appointment of women as Chairs of Boards and committees. These sentiments bedevil their selection to public office.

Chronology of African –Guyanese History: 1626-2015

1626- The Dutch Jews began the slave trade to Essequibo. The first batch of slaves were Fulani. They were Muslim.1763- 27 February. Slave uprising occurred in Berbice. The

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Leader of the Revolution, was the Creole slave, Cuffy.1807- Abolition of the slave trade by the British Government.1823- The Demerara slave rebellion. The leader was Jack Gladstone.1834- 1st August. Abolition of slavery and the commencement

of apprenticeship.1834- October. The Damon uprising.1838- 1st August. Emancipation of the slaves.1839- 7 November. The village movement commenced, when

83 labourers from the five neighbouring estates ofDochfour, Ann’s Grove, Hope,Paradise and, Enmore, on the East Coast of Demerara, combined to purchase the sugarPlantation, Northbrook, a nearby plantation of 500 acres . The purchasers renamed the plantation, Victoria.

1840- 128 labourers purchased Plantation Orange Nassau- laterRenamed Buxton for $50,000.00.

1841- Arrival of indentured Africans.1842- 65 labourers purchased Plantation Plaisance for $39,000.00.1842- 168 labourers bought Friendship on the East Coast

Demerara, for $80,000.00.1842- 145 labourers bought Beterverwagting, which consisted of

400 acres for $22,000.00.1842- Cudjoe McPherson, an ex-slave purchased Plantation

Lichfield for $3,000.00, and divided it into twelve lots and resold

1842- January- March. Over 20,000 African- Guyanese labourers went on strike in Demerara and Essequibo.

1842- March. Purchase of the abandoned coffee plantation, Mocha- Arcadia.

1847/ December1848- January. Colony wide strike by African-Guyanese.1884- Birth of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, the Father of Trade

Unionism in the Commonwealth Caribbean.1905- 28 November. Critchlow led the dock workers at the

Sandbach Parker wharf on strike in protest against the poor working conditions.

1909- Tipperary Hall was built in Buxton.1919- 11 January. Formation of the British Guiana Labour Union.

This was the first labour union to survive in the colony.1922- 21 July. The BGLU became the first registered trade union

in the colony.1923- 22 February. Birth of Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.1929- 9 March. Birth of Hugh Desmond Hoyte.1930- 26 November. Birth of Viola Burnham.1953- 27 April. Mr. Forbes Burnham was appointed the Minister

of Education, Mr. Ashton Chase was appointed Minister of Labour and, the “Buxton Bombshell” Sidney King (changed his name to Eusi Kwayana) was appointed

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the Minister of Public Works and Communications.Mrs. Jessica Morris, the sister of L.F.S. Burnham, and Rev.Jane Phillips-Gay were elected legislators.

1954- The female African-Guyanese politicians Esther Deyand Gertrude Collins served as legislators in the InterimGovernment, which lasted until 1957.

1955- The formation of the Burhamite PPP.1957- The formation of the People’s National Congress.1958- Death of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow1962- Professor Elsa Goveia became the first Professor

Of West Indian History at the University Indies, Mona.1964- National History and Culture council authorized the

construction of the statue in the compound of the Parliament, to honour Hubert NathanielCritchlow. The Sculptor was Edward R. Burrowes

1964- December. Mr. Forbes Burnham, the leader of thePNC formed a coalition with Mr. Peter D’Aguiar, the leader United Force party to establish a government, after the December 7 elections.

1966- May 26. The Forbes Burnham administration led GuyanaTo political independence.

1966- May. The Burnham administration established the University of Guyana campus at Turkeyen. The landWas donated by Jock Campbell of the Bookers SugarEstates (now GUYSUCO)

1967- Critchlow Labour College established.1969- Critchlow Labour College was officially opened.1969- Death of Guyana’s first Governor- General. Sir David Rose.1970- 23 February. Guyana became the first Cooperative

Republic in this hemisphere. 1970- Founding of Linden.1974- 30 June. Guyana’s railways, the oldest in South America

were closed.1980- 14 June. The death of Dr. Walter Rodney.1980- L.F.S. Burnham sworn in as the first Executive President of

Guyana.1980- Mavis Anita Benn sworn in as the first Executive Mayor

In the city of Georgetown.1985- 6 August. Death of L.F.S. Burnham.1985- 6 August. Swearing in of Hugh Desmond Hoyte as President

of Guyana1985- Dr. Michael Granger appointed the first Director of the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI).1997- Death of Pauline Roach, the First female President of the Bar Association.1997- Mr. Hamilton Green, the Mayor of Georgetown, declared that High Street was renamed Dr. Cheddi Jagan Snr. Avenue.1997- Samuel Hinds is appointed President.

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1998- Death of Dennis Williams, archeologist and founder of the Walter Roth Museum and the Museum of African Heritage.1998- Death of Gordon Todd, President of the Clerical and Commercial Workers’ Union. 1999- Samuel Hinds sworn in as President.1999- D’Urban street, Lodge was renamed in honour of Joseph Pollydore, one of the longest serving General Secretaries of GTUC.2001- Janet Jagan is elected President of Guyana.2002- Desmond Hoyte died as Leader of the Opposition.2002- Robert Corbin is appointed the Leader of the People’s National Congress.2003- 10 October. Viola Burnham died.2007- The PPP/C returns to power with Bharrat Jagdeo as President.2008- Statue of Sir James Douglas at Mahaica was unveiled.2009- 11 December. Death of Mr. Brindley Horatio Benn.2011- Donald Ramotar is elected the seventh President of Guyana.2012- Phillip Moore, the Sculptor of the 1763 Monument died.2012- 12 January. AFC Raphael Trotman elected Speaker of National Assembly.2012- APNU Chairman David Granger was appointed the Leader of the Opposition.2012- David Granger is appointed the Leader of the PNC/R. 2013- The Cuffy documentation Centre is opened at the Square of Revolution2013- 5 August 2013. President Donald Ramotar unveiled the 1823 Monument.2015- 11 May . General and Regional elections were held.2015- 16 May. APNU-AFC Coalition defeated the PPP/C at the polls.2015- 16 May. Brigadier David Arthur Granger was sworn in as the Eight Executive President .2015- 20 May. Mr. Moses Nagamootoo was sworn in as Prime Minister and First Vice-President of the APNU-AFC government.2015- June 10, 2015. Dr. Barton Scotland appointed Speaker of the Eleventh Parliament.

KIDS History Vacation SchoolThe KIDS History Vacation School was held from July 27 to 31. One of the students wrote a poem, which is published in this issue.

Steel-walls of thinkingBy

Zayd Jones(17 years old)

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They were fighting for physical freedombut their minds were still in shacklestrying to build a new generationUnder the blackman’s nation.

But as slaves they were taught To follow where master led

But some men were wise enoughAnd saw that they were taught toFollow where misled.

But even wise men can be blinded By their own

Thinking that another black manCannot deceive them into receiving

Physical and mental slavery.And know that their handsAnd feet are free from shacklesTheir mind and thinking areStill enclosed by steel walls,That won’t fall.Using the very ‘n’ word that wasUsed to degrade the black manQuality to refer to, their sonsAnd nephews who will not refuseThe title.

Professor Dr. Kimani Nehusi is the lecturer in the Guyana Institute of Historical Research of Kemetic studies

The outline of the Kemetic studies

* The Kemetic theologies and their interrelationships

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* The Neteru symbolism and their functions or principles

* The Neteru and their interrelationships.

* Kemetic mystical tree

 *Briefly outline Kemetic origins of western religions (Christianity, Islam & JudaismPersons who are interested in accessing this course online may contacting hazelwoolford@gmail.com

The Guyana Institute of Historical Research now allows you to study history in the comfort of your home. All of the lecturers of the home study courses are internationally qualified. You can form a chat group.You can study by skype.You can form a study group in your home.Request a printed copy of the course outline and, lesson. You will receive each lesson online.On payment of the registration fee, you will receive a package, which provides details on the courses and the

sources required for each assignment.Request a copy of the Guyana Institute of Historical Research book catalogue for $100.00, from hazelwoolford@gmail.com There is a face to face meeting for the Registrar and the students, during the first trimester. Cost: $10,000.00 per unit or, $40,000.00 per trimester or, $16,000.00 for 16 weeks$100,000.00 per year.

Graduation is held annually in June.The following courses are now offered

1. M.A. Historical studies.2. Diploma Historical studies.3. Diploma in African-Guyanese history4. Certificate in Historical Studies.5. Certificate in African-Guyanese history6. Certificate in Egyptology.7. Special courses.

For further information, please contact,Mrs. Hazel WoolfordRegistrarGuyana Institute of Historical Research106, Atlantic GardensMontroseEast Coast Demerara

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Support the publications of the Guyana Institute of Historical Research. Order a catalogue today from guyanainstituteofhistoricalresearch@hotmail.com/hazelwoolford@gmail.com

GIHR News congratulates Baroness Valerie Amos

The Guyana Institute of Historical Research congratulates Guyanese born Baroness Valerie Amos on her latest appointment. Baroness Amos has been appointed the first Black Leader of the School of Oriental and African Studies of the University of London. Best wishes Baron Amos.

ACDA 2015 Emancipation FestivalThe African Cultural &Development Association (ACDA) held

another very successful festival at the National Park, on August 1, in observance of 177 years of the emancipation of African Guyanese slaves.

Kudos to the organizers, including Sisters Violet Baptiste, Clementine Marshall, Brothers Stan Cooke and, Eric Phillips.

Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo, his wife Seeta, several Ministers of the Government and, the Speaker of the National Assembly were present.

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This year, ACDA featured Niger and, Maria Joanna. There were overseas as well as overseas performers.

One of the highlights of the ACDA festival is the promotion of local foods and, products. Many small entrepreneurs benefitted from the experience.

Some of the organizations that set up booths at this year’s festival, were The Museum of African Heritage, Anita Heyligar’s Boutique, the Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham Foundation and, the City and Guilds local representative. The Guyana Institute of Historical Research book table was housed in the Linden Forbes Burnham Foundation booth.

In this issue, we feature snap shots of this year’s festival.

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Meet the Directors of the Guyana Institute of Historical Research

Mr. Orlando Michael died on March 30, 2015. The new Director of Media is Mr. Paul Moore. Ms. Michelle Gonsalves is now the Public Relations Officer.

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