Dear Editor,
As a citizen of this world, which recognises the United States of America as the sole super-power, I thought it my duty to take an interest in the 2008 presidential election. Even more commanding of my interest was that this election would allow me a moment I never thought possible in my lifetime, where an African American man (he has accepted that title), could now be considered the most powerful man on earth. The British Prime Minister Gordon Brown has already called on him to lead a new international order.
According to Obama, it was because he had the audacity to hope; his hope was that Americans of all races, despite years of slavery and inequality, could look beyond his colour and elect him as their leader. Indeed this is a moment of inspiration rarely seen.
I am certain that more than Guyanese took time to notice and appreciate that moment, as was evident with the Obama victory rally in Linden and other acknowledgements across the country.
It is because so many of us had this opportunity to witness this moment in history that we should recognise the fulfilment of Mr Obama’s audacity to hope.
Mr Obama and America’s accomplishment should say to Guyanese that after 42 years of independence, the undeclared racial war which manifested itself pre-independence and continues to influence the situation to date, should give all Guyanese the audacity to hope − hope that with a level of committed willingness, we can start to dismantle the ideological structure which supports this undeclared war of us against them, and instead build a structure that would allow Guyanese of all races to make informed choices and not allow race to influence situations.
To some this may seem like an ideal far from reality, but I ask those who would agree that such is the case to be inspired by Mr Obama. I am thankful that my children and grandchildren can look back at this inspiring moment, and I can say to them that I was a witness to it. My hope is that our motto of one people, one nation and one destiny can be fulfilled in my lifetime.
Yours faithfully,
Sharma Solomon
