Leroy Hendricks aiding the anti-racism fight all the way from Cuba

By Lakhram Bhagirat

Though Guyana is a melting pot of diversity, one of its major social issues is that of racism. Almost every Guyanese, at some point in their lives, experiences some form of racial discrimination. The nasty head of racism usually peaks during election time and with the recently-concluded General and Regional Elections, it was no less.
The younger generation has been effectively using social media and other platforms to promote the message of unity. Among those youths fighting for racial harmony and creating awareness of Guyana’s rich diversity is medical student Leroy Glenn Hendricks.
Hailing from the Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo) township of Lethem, Hendricks is currently studying human medicine in Cuba.
The 26-year-old started a social media campaign called “54 Faces Against Racism” because of his disappointment in the blatant racism being exhibited by some of his fellow Guyanese.
“I was disappointed that we allowed racism to get the better of us when we have burning issues that need our united effort more than anything else. Racism was once again allowed to raise its ugly head during the recently-concluded General Elections. I was disappointed that our leaders didn’t budge a foot to robustly tackle this issue. Since our classes were suspended in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we were quarantined on campus, this afforded me the time to observe what was going on back home, and trust me, it was not nice,” he related.
The thought of how he could raise awareness and ease the racial tension back in his home country got the young man to make good use of social media and its far reach. He started a page called “Guyana: Land of Many Waters, One People”.
The page is intended to promote, embrace and celebrate Guyana’s diversity and multiculturalism. The “54 Faces Against Racism” project was birthed to address the racism problem everyone seemed to turn a blind eye to while at the same time encouraging unity and togetherness. The number 54 was chosen because this year marks 54 years of Independence in Guyana.
This project, though seemingly easy, came with a bit of challenge for Hendricks. The mere fact that he is currently based in Cuba means that a lot of things are not readily available and one of those things is data services. Apart from data challenges, he also had to deal with pull-outs as well as shy persons since the campaign was an exceptionally public one.
“At one point I thought I was not going to reach 54, but it would be on those days that persons would pop up expressing their interest to share their part and that’s a simple show of the fact that the messages were reaching out there. I was pleased to know that there are others who want to see a better Guyana too. In the end, we ended up having more than 54.
“I would say that the project was very successful and would’ve achieved its objective of being informative. Although the project has ended, it doesn’t mean that the fight against racism has. There is still much work to be done in this regard. We would’ve received a lot of positive feedback and encouragement, even from non-nationals.”
For Hendricks, the goal for promoting anti-racism is to address an issue that plagues society so that Guyanese can be able to look past their physical differences and love each other as brothers and sisters so that a progressive Guyana can be realised. The aspiring doctor says to put an end to racism, Guyanese must realise that it starts with that.
Now that that campaign has ended, he intends to continue to highlight and celebrate every aspect of Guyanese culture.
“It’s ours, we have to own it and be proud of it.”
Speaking of being proud, the youth is also encouraging everyone to be proud of their heritage and cultural identity. Hendricks himself comes from a blended Indigenous background of the Arawak, Macushi, and Wapishana tribes and a tribe called Atorad from the North of Brazil.
When one looks away from the anti-racism campaign a bit, they would realise that Hendricks’ life has been filled with fulfilling experiences that are indigenous to the culture he was brought up within.
Growing up, he had the usual Rupununi boy childhood experiences which entailed connecting with nature around him as opposed to being cooped up in front of a television or a computer. He spent his days climbing trees, running around the yard, visiting the many creeks and rivers to catch fish and shoot birds and participating in all sorts of sports.
Growing up was not always easy, as his mother was the sole breadwinner, prompting his older siblings to clean yards, pick up aluminium cans to resell and work on the speedboats that crossed the Takutu River before the bridge was built, just to add something to the table.
His education has always been a priority when it came to his development and after sitting the Secondary School Entrance Examination, he was awarded a Hinterland Scholarship to attend Central High School in Georgetown. That meant he would have to move to the city away from his family. He did choose to move to the city and complete his secondary education.
“In 2010, I graduated as one of the top performers of Central High and the Hinterland Scholarship Programme. I then applied to the University of Guyana, but the application was denied, because I was ‘too young’. At that time, my guardians – my ‘new family’ – offered me free food and accommodation to attend Sixth Form at Queen’s College. I did not approach it with all the seriousness it deserved as I saw it as passing time to reach the age to attend university. In 2012, I gained my diploma in Natural Sciences which would later allow me a chance into med school.”
He applied for a scholarship to study medicine in China, but was unsuccessful. However, in 2015, he was successful in his application to study in Cuba.
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Teaching stint
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In 2012, after completing Sixth Form, Hendricks returned to his village where he applied for a teaching post at St Ignatius Secondary School.
“As I took in my application, I was asked if I can start the very next day as they were severely understaffed. I was dumbfounded but I accepted. After a day or two of observation, I was placed in the classroom all by myself to teach students that were almost my age. Oh, boy, was I scared and for those that know me would know how very shy I was, especially being in public.
“However, as time went by, I would’ve garnered the courage to stand firm and deliver. For me I’d say that was a necessary step that helped me to become bold, to speak up and to actually use my voice. For the time I was at St Ignatius secondary, I taught Mathematics and Science. Two out of the three years I was there, I was awarded Teacher with the highest performances at CSEC, something I’m extremely proud of as I was beginning to fall in love with the profession. I am completely honoured to have served at that institution, as only a teacher would understand the emotions seeing their students excel; it’s a place I hold close to my heart.”

Cuban experience
Cuba is a real place. A country that has an economic blockade, but is still purported to have one of the best health systems in this side of the world. However, it comes with its unique challenges. When Hendricks first got to Cuba, there was no mobile data; communication was expensive and still is, but now it’s a little more accessible. He also had issues relating to the food and had to join long queues to get into stores.
“Cuba is safe for the most part; it’s a really nice place to have a vacation and the people are really friendly unless you want to cut short their ‘cola’ (line),” he advises.

Cultural identity
For Hendricks, his Indigenous identity is something to be proud of. However, he notices that a lot of his culture is being lost.
“Sad to say at this moment that I cannot speak any of my ancestors’ languages, but it’s something I’m hoping to soon achieve. In Lethem, most of what we have today is an integration into ‘Guyanese culture’ as it has now been transformed into a town. However, some of our traditions and myths still live on.
“One thing that will always remain close to me is our food. My favourite: farine and tasso, one of the many delicacies of the Rupununi along with ‘boily boily’, roasted wild meats and parakari (a local beverage). The part of my culture I’m proudest of is our ability to connect with nature. I take pride in knowing that I’m a descendant of a people that travelled, manoeuvred and survived on a land they discovered, a land we now all call home, Guyana,” the young man said.
He advises his fellow Indigenous youths to keep focused and fixated on their goals.
“Many times, your path may not be clear, but keep the faith that things are going to work for you and it will. Empower yourselves with whatever opportunity presents itself, so that you can build and give back to your communities. Your community needs you and your country needs you! You have to want better and seek better to get better. Be proud of your heritage, your language, be eager to share it with someone because it is unique and you may be one of few people that still know it. Let your voice be your superpower!”