Bramdeo and Juliet: An Inter-Racial Love Story Set in 1963 British Guiana

The early part of 1963 was a time of turmoil for the British colony of Guiana. The effects of the Cold War had penetrated the borders of this small country at the North Eastern tip of South America. The Americans, fearing that the Marxist incumbent premier would provide the communists with a beachhead in the West, set in motion social, economic and political forces to destabilize and overthrow the government. The effort culminated in an ugly 80-day general strike in the month of April. By the end of April the strike had already brought the economy to a virtual standstill and many lives were lost in sporadic violent clashes between the two largest ethnic groups – Blacks and East Indians. It was in the midst of this political and racial storm that two young teachers-in-training, Bramdeo, and East Indian boy, and Juliet, a black girl, found themselves falling hopelessly in love. The combined action of local and foreign powers had successfully overthrown the government. Will the love affair between this inter-racial couple survive the power of hate and bigotry?