Influences and Guyana’s Media (1950s-1960s)

Guyana is the only English speaking nation on the mainland of South America.  It is situated on the northeast coast. It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Brazil, Surinam, and Venezuela.  It is 83,000 square miles and has a population of 750,000 people.  It is a multi-ethnic society with East Indians 50%, African Guyanese 38%, Portuguese, Chinese, European, Amerindian, and mixed 12%.         

Prior to becoming independent, Guyana was called British Guiana.  Since its independence on May 26, 1966, many Guyanese were still grappling with British and American influences.  In many ways, these were standards set for them to emulate.  The model presented by these foreign powers was to have a sound education, and to experience economic, social, cultural, and political reform.  On the other hand, the British and American media projected standards that caused some Guyanese to aim for the sky, while it made others feel inadequate.

Many were exposed initially to the outside world through radio, films and books, that gave a negative impression that Guyanese culture did not matter much.  They could easily tell this from their local media [TV did not exist in the 1950s-1960s] that theirs was lacking when they listened to the news and entertainment programs from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and the Voice of America (VOA), as compared to their own.  

Locally, their media lacked qualified and experienced professionals.  Most locals were amateurs that only had a high school education.  Their newspapers like the Daily Graphic and Daily Chronicle would carry some stories that were taken verbatim from overseas publications and there was much to be desired of the photography.  There was no national magazine to speak of, and locals looked abroad for their news, information and entertainment.  Radio Demerara was still developing as an electronic medium, and some of the people had wireless radio sets through which they received BBC and VOA transmissions.

These foreign presentations shaped and continued to shape Guyanese perceptions.  The British image of presenting accurate stories, an impeccable accent of BBC reporters, great books, and magazines from the local British and American libraries from their embassies, served as the basis of much learning.  News, information, and entertainment were generally current from these sources that had newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, books, newsreels, and other documents flown in the same day of their publication from abroad.

This was why many Guyanese came to make comparisons in the way they saw the world with their British and American counterparts.  As a result, they decided to import many amenities and their clothes from overseas.  They viewed these desirable fashions in foreign films, newspapers, and in magazine ads.

Sad to say, local talent was not promoted the way it should, and was lacking.  It was thought that in order for a Guyanese to succeed, he had to leave the local shores to make a name for himself in America or England.  Most believed that the streets in America were paved with gold, all Americans lived in fabulous homes, and drove expensive cars.  It was a great opportunity if a Guyanese obtained a visa to emigrate abroad.  This was especially true, if he had passed the General Certificate of Education (GCE) from the universities of Cambridge, or London, and was accepted to pursue studies at a university.

Guyanese enjoyed music of all genres, especially those indigenous to the region, like the calypso and reggae.  A small percentage of the privileged in the society embraced the music of European masters like Handel and Beethoven, and raved about the art of Michelangelo and Picasso.  The younger genration liked the pop music popular in the United States.

During the 1950s to the 1960s, it seemed as though there was never a black nor brown Santa Claus in this land of predominantly black and brown peoples.  Guyanese were still putting up artificial Christmas trees with snow, and imported decorations to

Image by Holidayextras via Flickr

their tropical land.  Some of the locals even felt that that foreign fruits were more desirable and delicious than local ones.  Most males could be seen enjoying a game of cricket around the countryside, and took breaks for tea, just like the British did.