On Friday July 13, 2023 the Embassy of the Republic of Guyana in Washington DC hosted a book signing event for Guyanese Scientist and Author Dr. Frank L. Douglas, who after a highly successful career in Medicine has published yet another masterpiece entitled, ‘Addressing Systemic Discrimination By Reframing The Problem.’ The event took on the atmosphere of a circular Think-Tank forum where carefully crafted questions regarding the book’s fundamental themes were asked and answered.
In response to one of several questions asked by the evening’s Moderator, Dr. Sandra Haynes, Dr. Douglas told listeners he was inspired to write this book following the murder of George Floyd, and how bystanders appeared to be limited in their abilities to effect a different outcome. Dr. Douglas said further, that the cynosure of the book was Equity and Inclusion instead of Diversity, the broader and more academically popular term. His reason as explained, was because equity and inclusion are measurable in organizations, and can be tracked to individual employee outcomes and performances to determine the extent to which discrimination in the workplace exist, and the degree of its negative effects on 'people'.
In galvanizing the importance of reframing problems of systemic discrimination in public and private institutions, the author, a former Cambridge teacher, pointed out that each case-study in the book had a different encounter with discrimination, and the traditional cookie-cutter remedy has proven to be inadequate both in its processes and its conclusions; therefore, examining the situation in each case and reframing the way a discrimination problem is perceived and presented, will invariably lead to a better problem to be solved, and provide conditions where the focus would be on the person or persons concerned.
Dialogue abound among the august gathering, as matters of gender inequality, old-boys networking, meritocracy paralysis, fear of power and authority, organization culture and counter-culture, are still present and inimical to progress within institutions, leaving persons who face discrimination with three options which Dr. Douglas referred to as fight, flight, or freeze.
When asked by members of the cohort what steps are being taken to promote the book, Dr. Douglas spoke of areas such as HBCUs and other universities, radio, television appearances, and all aspects of social media that he is actively engaged with at this time.
The forum concluded with closing remarks from Guyana’s Ambassador to Washington, H.E. Mr. Sam Hinds who stressed the importance of eradicating prejudice and discrimination from all areas around the world, and focus on the ‘human aspects’ at all times.
Submitted by Dr. Aubrey F. Bentham, President, CAAAI
