“Dis country like a powderkeg waiting to explode. We have a serious ethnic/race problem in dis country, yeh. Corruption and race problems bringing dis country to its knees. The racial divide stagnating dis country. The economy will soon collapse.”
The above statements, opinions and declarations have all assailed my senses over the past decade and a half. Not merely issued by socalled prophets of doom, but by the concerned and the well-meaning, the warnings sometimes dissipated themselves into routine anti-government bashing. The predictions did. From time to time, trouble me and a few other thousands of Guyanese. But I would never be fazed, others, no doubt, would identify the signs, the evidence that pointed to Guyana’s imminent social and economic demise. The country, even if you call it mere “existence” always seemed to survive, year after year.
I know we should enjoy good quality living and prosperity, not merely survival and existence. Those who have managed the economy’s resources, the investments – even the illegal earnings from national criminal enterprise – should have afforded us much better, civilised opportunities to flourish. But we somehow survive as a nation, under stress and
siege, we survive. The doomsday warnings mentioned earlier therefore often assume similar sentiments as “The Lord is coming.” Guyana’s total collapse? Or the second arrival of the Christian Lord? Which will be earlier?
Stress – and the national spirit
I share all the above waffle – meaningful I trust – with you to make my personal point, a point fashioned after the last two decades – that even as Guyana survives, and will survive, the Guyanese spirit and the spirit of individual Guyanese will be neutralized, where specific events and developments are concerned. National Poet Martin Carter described the condition as a paralysis of the spirit! What a deadening, almost terminal national and individual condition!
To me, somewhat in contradiction, the national spirit – still willing to celebrate, participate – and escape, is buckling under the pressures of economic need brought about by taxation, consumer high prices and under-employment; by crime, health problems, indiscipline and disrespect at all levels. Ironically, the spirit under siege expresses itself in lawlessness by juniors, sharp practices by adults and a general decline in standards and morality.
Indifference steps in and people are forced to list or choose priorities based on a “subsistence existence.” Celebrations and observances are sometimes distractions to lift sagging psyches and spirits – at a national level. Appeals – open or covert – to one’s patriotism and sense of pride invite us to demonstrate personal joy, even love of country. But how is the government helping us to be joyful?
I submit that Christmas – that powerful Christian festival celebrating the birth of their Christ, with all its renewal of hope and expectation, its music, religious and celebratory elements – is just what any government needs – and welcomes. In Guyana, all Lifting our spirits As Mashramani and Carifesta beckon groups use this period to refurbish, to conclude one year and begin another. All are ripe for celebration and joy, despite usual challenges and government’s mean salary increases.
But stress has taken its toll for sure. Going round the administrative regions one hears complaints about the cost of living, the fear of crime, the costs of construction, studio recordings, transportation – everything. Of course, the ineptitude the inefficiencies and ineffectiveness of various levels of management and administration also take toll on people’s spirit and enthusiasm.
Result? Potential calypsonians, dancers masqueraders and other artistes are now very lukewarm towards Mashramani. I hope that spirit is lifted. Christmas works its own magic but Mashramani is always challenged. I suspect however that Christmas and children will inspire people for Mash 2008. Then comes Carifesta Ten in August 2008. What a glorious opportunity for us to showcase ourselves and our Caribbean family to the world.
Guyanese in the Diaspora are showing interest – much expectation. And that is so good for the spirit. I look forward to seeing much of overseas Guyana come home. That alone, for me, will make Carifesta 10 worthwhile. But government, ignore the negatives, look past artificial divisions. Use the end of year period to lift your spirit. Hope must spring eternal.
How sick are they?
I should write – and ask – how sick are we. But never. Never can I associate myself with this epidemic if unnatural sexual behavior that seems to be sweeping this onceinnocent land.
I describe it as “unnatural” because, according to media and police reports, sexual assaults – male upon male, adult against children and youth, the diet of rape and incest – are now prevalent amongst the very young!
What degradation is this? Is it something in the water, or the air? That naughty knowledgeable colleague of mine, again sought to “edify” me on the sordid issues. Is he right? That incest, rape of innocents, buggery and debauchery, many times amongst rural families, were always rampant? But kept under wraps. So how long have we/they been so sick? What causes that? Something “cultural”?
My colleague then pointed out that I myself wrote, two/three weeks ago, about “same-sex partners” and the alleged prevalence of “homos in high places.” I sighed and I wondered: why can’t adult choices be kept personal and minimal? Why, oh why are children assaulting children – unheard of when I was growing up? Help me more, someone.
Until
