Lascelve Graham | There is one race - the human race

IT IS instructive that the discussion of race in Jamaica oftentimes generates more heat than light. Persons, especially successful, dark-skinned (so-called black, used interchangeably) people and the light-skinned (so-called white, used interchangeably) and their surrogates, are upset by the very mention of the subject. It is just not touched in polite society. People get jumpy, skittish, squeamish, and ill at ease when the subject is mentioned.

Why is this so? After all, the discussion of other things which critically impact our existence, our lives, like politics, religion, sports, etc, is openly embraced, and even encouraged. Dialogue on race is frowned upon because it inexorably brings to light some unpleasant truths. The privileged, the entitled and their stooges have striven for the concept of ‘races’ to be accepted unchallenged, by way of pseudo-science, superficial, anecdotal observations, and frivolous analysis. They know that they are on shaky ground, that their house is built on sand, that the premise on which the race theory is founded (biologically, physiologically, distinguishable groups of people) has no basis in science, has been rubbished by science. Also, light-skinned people who like to hide beneath the veneer of civility, feel threatened and uncomfortable that the inhumane treatment, atrocities, brutality, injustices visited on dark-skinned people will be highlighted. Hence the passion to make the discussion of race taboo. Again, we see the attempted use of silence as a means of control.

THE DIVISION

There is one race, the human race! The division of people into races is a racist social construct devised and designed by the currently dominant light-skinned people as a means of classification, in a bid to rationalise their fantasised superiority and to justify the subjugation, abuse and inhumane treatment of darker-skinned people, while at the same time robbing them of their wealth and accomplishments. The acceptance of this race theory is crucial to the perpetuation of white dominance, the ‘white is right’ approach. The power elite of the light-skinned peoples know that the idea of ‘races’ is a myth; but truth, facts, are irrelevant when dealing with prejudice, bias, and power. As Henry Kissinger, one of the foremost advocates of realpolitik, said, nations must put morals and principles aside to achieve their aims.

Hence, they continue to feed the less enlightened common man with the drug of racism, since it contributes to their power, wealth, privilege and entitlement. The acceptance of the superiority of white people must be pummelled in, inculcated, brainwashed into others relentlessly, continuously. These others must be made to worship white people and what they represent. Racism will only end when the white power structure changes its way of thinking, since they are the ones who fuel it, or when they lose their power. The former would accelerate the latter. It is highly unlikely, improbable, that they will change their thinking voluntarily. The consequences are too stark, dire. This would mean an acceptance of the equality of all peoples, a level playing field, justice for all peoples, the end of the parasitism and rape of Africa, Africans and other dark-skinned people in general. It would mean freedom for Africa and a chance for the continent to rise again. It would also mean greater competition for the resources of the world, and a more equitable distribution of these resources around the world. There would no longer be the rationale, the justification for the atrocities, oppression, cultural appropriation, stealing of wealth, etc, which have been visited on dark-skinned peoples for centuries. This would inevitably lead to a toppling of the dominance of light-skinned people in the world. It would quicken the fall of their empire.

As former French President Jacques Chirac publicly declared some years ago (2001), “While speaking of Africa we must check our memory. We started draining the continent four and a half centuries ago with the slave trade. Next, we discovered their raw materials and seized them. Having deprived Africans of their wealth, we sent in our elites who destroyed their culture. Now, we are depriving them of their brains thanks to scholarships, which are definitely another form of exploitation, because at the end, the most intelligent students do not go back to their countries. In the end, noticing that Africa is not in a good state, and as bonuses for the wealth we made on its back, we are giving lectures.” Chirac also admitted that without Africa, France will slide down into the rank of a third-World power. Before him, Francois Mitterrand acknowledged that, “Without Africa, France will have no history in the 21st century.” And so say all of them about Africa and other exploited colonies.

Strategically therefore, racism is a concept to which the light-skinned power elite must cling, regardless. Here, they are resolved to be wrong and strong. It is ironic that in the USA, the Bible Belt states are the ones that are the most racist, yet dark-skinned people are the ones who are the most religious. The most religious continent in the world is Africa. Jamaica has the most churches per square mile of any country in the world! The role of the Church in the propagation of slavery and racist behaviour must not be forgotten or underestimated. And what are dark-skinned people to do?

Dark-skinned people must fortify themselves spiritually, emotionally, psychologically, mentally, physically, culturally, so that they will be able to stay the course until the knees of white people are off their necks (perhaps facilitated by circumstances which they have helped to create) and they are allowed to breathe. They must ensure that their will to survive and soar again, their spirit, is never broken, and that the struggle continues. They must engender self-love, self-belief, be gentle with themselves, and reject the negativity that the status quo bathes them in daily. They must fight on all fronts and in all parts of the world to change the current situation. Political and other forms of activism are key, as is the acquisition of knowledge, consciousness (the awareness of the framework within which we operate) and skills. This will require tremendous leadership.

NEGATIVE EFFECTS

In Jamaica, we must be cognisant of the fact that the ‘white is right’ approach and its negative effects on black people are as strong here as in any other part of the world (bleaching, rejection of black hairstyles in school, etc). It is just that it manifests differently, primarily because of the fact that darkskinned people are the overwhelming majority in this country. Hence, the colour-blindness rhetoric is extremely strong here, pushed by whites, near whites and the brainwashed black intelligentsia. ‘Take responsibility, move on,’ they say, ‘slavery and the ills of colour are in the past. Their effects have no bearing on the present. Now equality reigns. Anybody can be anything he/she wants. Opportunity is equal for black and white. Colour does not matter, is of no consequence.’ Of course, we know the above are untruths, lies.

Another form in which racism manifests through leadership has to do with sins of omission with respect to areas critical to the well-being of the masses. These have led to continuing crises in education, housing and land reform, crime, poor roads, etc. It must be uppermost in our minds that knowledge is power, and so we must frame our priorities, our actions, in that context. For example, using our educational institutions as if they are sports academies/clubs, is not a step in the right direction, is not a power play! This is at the same time that the prime minister announces he will be bringing in foreign skilled labour (carpenters, plumbers, etc) since we don’t have enough! Education, skill acquisition and socialisation must be paramount.

The people cry out for proper leadership, but so often encounter disappointment. For example, the Government abrogates its responsibility to lead, when it simply wishes and hopes that people who have already shown their irresponsibility with respect to COVID-19, who feel they don’t have to do anything, will suddenly take personal responsibility to stave off the virus. This puts all of us at greater risk. That is similar to someone finding himself needing to support an indefensible position and copping out by retorting, “You either get it or you don’t.” Leadership is key!

Dr Lascelve ‘Muggy’ Graham is a former captain of Jamaica’s senior national football team. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.