Submitted by Yardbroom

I can’t speak for Norman Faria, but I am inclined to believe that there is evidence of racial discrimination against Afros there [Guyana] at present, in the same way there was evidence of racial discrimination against Indos there during the Burnham – PNC era – Peter W Wickham April 12, 2009 at 6.25pm

The BU family can succinctly address your core argument.  You agree that there is evidence of discrimination “now” in Guyana against Afro Guyanese, which is exactly what Dr. Kean Gibson said, that there might have been discrimination against Indos during the Burnham-PNC era does not negate this “present truth”.

Permit me to quote you again: My thesis is not that there is no discrimination, but that discrimination is not caused by the mere presence of large numbers of Indos and moreover that Indos are not genetically or culturally inclined to discriminate because of their Hindu beliefs.

There are two core elements to your thesis:

(a) Genetics (b) Culture/Hindu beliefs.

(a) Very few of the BU family will argue that this issue is about Indians being genetically inclined to discriminate against Africans.( I certainly will not)

(b) I will now address “Hindu beliefs”/Culture

If we take culture to mean:  the set of shared attitudes, values, goals and practices that characterizes an institution, organization or group (Wikipedia)

The above leads me to what “underpins” the concerns of Afro Barbadians.

The modern caste system is an extension of the ancient Vamashrama tradition.  The caste system recognizes many more social groupings not mentioned in Hindu scriptures and only theoretically accepts the necessity of following prescribed duties.  Caste has become a highly contentious issue in Indian politics and academic scholarship on the subject has often been critical of its Vamashrama origins.  Traditional Hindus however do not regard Vamashrama as merely an hereditary pass to enjoy social standing.

Rather, they consider it to be natural and integral to daily life, existing to maintaining an harmonious and functional society based on spiritual ideals. (Wikipedia)

Mr. Wickham it is because of this belief system which they – Hindus – consider “natural ” and integral to daily life which is based on a “spiritual ideal” and which Afro Barbadians can “never” be a part of which is causing legitimate concerns to Afro Barbadians.

This fundamental fact will not go away…and no amount of clever articulation will make this “truth” a lie.  We are concerned because of learned behaviour which is part of their belief system, which is also linked to their spiritual ideals, which causes them to see Afro Barbadians and other Afros in general the way they do…because caste kicks into the equation.

Limited legal numbers yes, in overwhelming numbers no, unless you are prepared to destroy social cohesion in Barbados.