Weaving Our Stories: The Unseen Threads of the Guyanese Diaspora

In the heart of Guyana, where the rainforest whispers ancient secrets and the rivers dance to the rhythm of life, my story begins. I am Daven, a proud Guyanese descendant, and my journey is woven into the fabric of the Caribbean diaspora.

Last year, as I sat down to chart our community's path forward in developing the HEDR 2030 strategy, I found myself engrossed in a conversation with Ancilla Ho-Young, a Trinidad native with a fire in her spirit that matched my own. We delved into the complexities of data collection, a topic that stirred a shared frustration within us. Ancilla articulated what many of us felt—the invisibility of individuals like us, who cannot simply click a box when identifying our race or ethnicity.

This sentiment echoed in the chambers of a recent meeting with Community Develop Halton, where census data was the topic of discussion. Once again, the voices and experiences of our community were lost in the sea of statistics. It was a stark reminder of the uphill battle we face in being seen and heard.

Our conversation with Ancilla and the sobering reality of the Community Develop Halton meeting underscored a larger truth—the erasure of the Guyanese perspective in data collection. For us, being Guyanese is more than a label; it is a tapestry of identities woven from the threads of our South Asian heritage and the vibrant culture of the Caribbean.

Yet, when it comes to data collection, our nuances are flattened, our complexities overlooked. There is no box for Guyanese individuals, no space to capture the intricate layers of our identity. It is a form of systemic discrimination, a subtle yet insidious form of racism that perpetuates invisibility and marginalization.

In grappling with this reality, I am reminded of Kimberlé Crenshaw's concept of intersectionality—a lens through which to understand the multifaceted nature of identity. As Guyanese individuals living in the diaspora, our experiences are shaped by intersecting factors of race, ethnicity, nationality, and more. To ignore these intersections is to perpetuate injustice and inequality.

As I reflect on my own journey and the struggles of my community, I am filled with a sense of determination. We cannot afford to remain invisible, relegated to the margins of representation. Our stories deserve to be told, our voices heard.

Moving forward, it is imperative that we advocate for an intersectional approach to data collection—one that recognizes and values the diverse identities within the South Asian diaspora, including the Guyanese community. Only then can we begin to dismantle the barriers of racism and forge a path toward true inclusivity and equity.

In the tapestry of the Caribbean diaspora, the Guyanese perspective is an unseen thread waiting to be illuminated. It is time to weave our stories into the fabric of history, to reclaim our place in the narrative of the diaspora, and to stand proud in our identity as Guyanese descendants.

Join us on May 14th at our panel discussion on the experiences of the South Asian Diaspora where we will unpack this issue further. Together, let us ignite a conversation that transcends borders and barriers, uniting us in our shared journey towards visibility, representation, and empowerment. As we gather to amplify our voices, may we sow the seeds of change, cultivating a future where every individual is seen, heard, and celebrated for the richness of their identity.