Dear Editor,
It is with great disgust and anger that I have decided to pen this letter in relation to an article that was published in your daily newspaper, dated Saturday, May 26, 2018 under the theme “Student prohibited from participating in culture day.’’
Editor, as an Amerindian by birth and a proud Amerindian, I must say that I am totally angry and sad with tears in my eyes whiles reading this article which depicts a total disrespect and a slap to the face by the administration and staff of the Mae’s Schools to the Amerindian peoples of Guyana.
Editor, I have participated in numerous Amerindian activities organised by my village and even went on to showcase my culture by being a part of the opening of the annual Amerindian Heritage Month in reciting a poem titled ‘Proud Amerindian Man’ in the year 2008 and was decked out in a costume similar to that which the student wore which was considered inappropriate by Mae’s Schools.
Amerindian People are a unique ethnic group which has a wide range of traditional Indigenous wear that we showcase as a way of preserving our culture. If the Mae’s Schools had known the history of the Amerindian People, which they have shown that they do not, they could have known that our earlier ancestors used to wear laps and were decked out in different designs of tibisiri skirts, shirts, and tops which showcases the Amerindian culture, so nothing was wrong or inappropriate with the costume worn by that student.
Editor, I must say that if I am not mistaken, the other students may have decked out themselves that day with outfits that showcases the cultures of the different ethnic groups and deemed appropriate but this child because it’s an outfit by Amerindians, it is inappropriate which only showcases the lackadaisical and racist attitude of the administration of the Mae’s Schools.
I do hope that the Indigenous People’s Affairs Ministry looks into the story of this child which was made a laughing stock of the Mae’s Schools; I known for sure this will affect the self-esteem of that student, me myself would have felt bad if I were in that situation.
I would not stand by and watch my culture and ethnic group being disregarded by members of society because I know Amerindian people have contributed significantly to the development of this nation and a typical example that is common is the name of our country (Guyana) which is an Amerindian word of the Arawak tribe which means ‘land of many waters’.
Regards,
Robin Joseph
Waramuri Mission
