Initial Broadcast Date: October 5, 1971
30 minutes – Color
In a new weekly format, the Emmy-winning “Black Journal” series premieres its 1971-72 season with a report on Guyana, a nation situated on the northeastern coast of South America. “Guyana: Nation Building,” featuring a conversation with Guyana Prime Minister Forbes Burnam, focuses on the country’s recent political and economic developments.
“Black Journal” speaks with the prime minister on the various measures taken for nation-building since independence in 1966 – the reinforcing of the Guyanese philosophy of self-help; the initiation of a system of cooperatives, and the nationalization of bauxite, the ore from which aluminum is made.
Guyana supplies a major portion of the world’s bauxite needs. One of Guyana’s most valuable natural resources, bauxite had been mined successfully for 55 years by the Canadian-owned ALCAN Company, with only 1.32 percent profit return to Guyana during that period. Prime Minister Burnam describes the controversial process of nationalization and its repercussions, leading to alleged equipment sabotage by ALCAN and alleged trade sanctions by its sister company, ALCOA. “Black Journal” invited ALCAN and ALCOA to answer the allegations. Both refused to comment. Another perspective on the issue is provided, however, by foreman at the bauxite mines.
Prime Minister Burnam discusses his country’s philosophy and practice of self-help. In the village of Leonora, vendors have built their own marketplace and parents and local residents have joined in building a larger school.
To involve the masses in economic efforts, the Guyanese government also has initiated a system of more than 200 cooperatives. “Black Journal” visits two such cooperatives – the Tropican clothing factory in the village of Buxton and the construction site of the New Daily Chronicle Building, Ltd., in Georgetown.
In addition, Prime Minister Burnam indicates that his government welcomes foreign capital investment, under the condition that the Guyanese government maintains economic control. “We people in developing countries,” states the prime minister, “we black people, we colored people, are not going to be prepared forever to allow our resources to be exploited for other people’s benefit” without receiving a fair “share of the results of exploitation.”
This week “Grapevine” cites the affidavit of Allan Mancino, a former Soledad inmate, who alleges that a prison guard asked him to kill George Jackson, but he refused. (Jackson recently died during an alleged escape attempt from San Quentin prison.)
“Grapevine” also surveys Attica events, as reported by inmates and their relatives, and the Detroit Massacre Rally in response to Attica.
“Black Journal #33” is a production of NET Division, Educational Broadcasting Corporation
Executive producer: Tony Brown
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