Mayor Green tells DFC of Forces...
Ethnic composition a colonial experience
by Shirwin Campbell
Guyana Chronicle
September 26, 2003
"The ethnic composition of the Disciplined Forces is a direct result of our colonial experience. Any attempt to impose artificial conditions, or to alter the natural flow of our cultural currents, will be stressful; indeed it is a total absurdity. Earlier efforts were exigencies and proved fruitless."
This was the message His Worship the Mayor of Guyana presented yesterday to Commissioners of the Disciplined Forces Commission, at the Law Court Library.
Noting that he was making his presentation in a personal capacity, Mr. Green provided clarity during a session lasting some two hours.
To strengthen his point Mr. Green alluded to the British Guiana Inquiry of October 1965 - the Moyne's Report, which stated:
"Prior to 1960, no effort was made to recruit entrants to the Force on a racial basis and applicants were accepted solely on a competitive basis. Until this time the number of Indian applicants was small in comparison with those of African origin, and consequently the overall racial distribution of the Force was approximately 80% Africans and 20% other ethnic groups.
Until this stage the practice appears to have been accepted by the community at large. No allegations were made that members of the Force were either too forceful in carrying out their duties in relation to particular racial groups, or too sympathetic in their duties in relation to particular racial groups, most widely represented in the Force.
It was accepted that the Africa liked the disciplined way of life offered by Service in the Force and, conversely Indians preferred other forms of occupation that were perhaps of less regimented.
Para (46) - "As a result of decision made by the Police Council ( a high level Governmental body concerned with provision maintenance and administration of the Force) an effort was made during 1960 to encourage young men from all racial groups to join the Force, and to this end a recruiting campaign was conducted. This effort had some measure of success, and during the period January 15, 1960 to August 1961, a total of 251 recruits joined the Force, 77 of whom were other than Africans."
The Mayor insisted that the "nation now need concern itself with the content of a person's character."
But he however conceded that if the Commission or Government is persuaded to consider the artificial balancing of race in the Disciplined Forces as an option, it cannot be done in isolation.
Mr. Green further added that "The philosophy which dictates this modus operandi, to be just and fair must be at the same time ensure that all sectors be staffed based along the same lines with race being the major consideration. Some of the areas that qualify with equal justification are:
* The Sugar Industry
* Radio and Media time coverage
* Entry into all educational institutions
* Boards
* Land allocation and concessions (house lots, agriculture, mining, timber)
* Licenses for exports and imports
* Diplomatic postings
* Issue of Fire licenses
Or, examine the existing situation in all of these sectors and where imbalances cannot be corrected easily, adjust for a scientific National Equation, that is to allow a higher percentage of the groups that have been found at a disadvantage or outnumbered elsewhere."
Commenting on this alternative the Mayor concluded, "This will be the quintessence of justice, fair, Play and decency. Not to forget a special arrangement for the Douglas, mulattos, etc.
Noting the tendency of ethnic groups in majority of cases to move in a certain field, he recalled as a youth in the Cadet Core in Queens College, the reluctance of Indo-Guyanese to join, with one exception and their reluctance to get involved with the British Guiana Volunteer Force, Scouts movement, Football and boxing.
His counsel to the commissioners was, "leave the landscape and allow it to evolve".