Last week, the administration of the Mae’s Schools allegedly took a decision to bar one of its students from taking part in its Culture Day celebration, which was being held to mark Guyana’s 52nd Independence anniversary.
The child’s parent was told that he was dressed “inappropriately” and would not be allowed past the school’s gate unless he made an amendment to his cultural wear by putting on a t-shirt.
At the time, the child was wearing a traditional costume which represents the attire worn by Guyana’s first peoples, who are Amerindians.
Clothed in what appeared to be a traditional straw skirt/pants, a beaded chain and headdress complemented by several drawings and paintings on his upper body – the child was demonstrating the rich culture of his Indigenous brothers and sisters while acknowledging and celebrating Guyana’s rich ethnic and cultural diversity.
He was no doubt proud to be Guyanese and ready to celebrate the achievement of all those who fought and struggled to secure Independence for this country. And this was confirmed by his mother, who took to social media to express dissatisfaction with the decision of the school and the fact that her son was left emotionally torn and embarrassed following the ordeal, which took place in his presence.
She told the media that her son was no longer proud of the way he looked or of the group he was seeking to represent after observing the resentment and lack of appreciation shown by adults and those in the school’s hierarchy.
After her post went viral, hundreds of Guyanese condemned the move by the school and called for it to issue an apology to the parent and her son. In fact, the National Toshaos Council, Amerindian Peoples Association, and Red Thread among other organisations have all criticised the decision to prohibit the child’s participation in the Culture Day, with a former Amerindian Affairs Minister also expressing shock that such a decision could be taken in a civil, modern and independent Guyana where religious, racial and social tolerance is supposed to be the bedrock of this country’s fabric.
Other commentators on social media say his mother should have known better than to send him “half naked” to school.
Firstly, what inappropriateness do we debate when he’s just a child? There should not even be a dispute over his Indigenous traditional wear if it’s Culture Day at school, unless some cultures are given preference over others. Is this the case? The mere fact that Indigenous peoples are asked to justify themselves is shameful considering that they are Guyana’s first peoples taking pride in what remains of their culture after centuries of discrimination and cultural cleansing.
Secondly, it is abominable that on the 52nd Independence anniversary, the conversation on Indigenous peoples remains the same. One would recall Toshaos and Village Councillors, notably from Sand Creek, being insulted at D’Urban Park by onlookers last year during the period of the NTC conference, when they were invited to a public event by the Government.
This is an example of why change must come from the community and not just policy-makers. It is this discriminatory mind-set that has swallowed Indigenous pride and stigmatised Indigenous peoples from colonial days to now. And it is a pity that even after being granted the courtesy of living on their lands, some Guyanese continue to insult and sideline those who did not come but were here first.
Mae’s Schools should immediately offer an apology to this child and all those Indigenous people, who were offended by its stance. Also, no school (private or public) for that matter should host cultural days if it cannot demonstrate tolerance and respect for people’s identities and ways of life. There are very important lessons to be learnt from this saga and other issues that run deeper which must be dealt with in order for Guyana to achieve social and cultural cohesion.
