Dear Editor,
I refer to an article in the Kaieteur News captioned ‘GPHC overwhelmed by suicide’ in the May 13 edition. This is not new information; our youths have been killing themselves prematurely for years now either by becoming criminals or by taking their own lives, and it is mainly a result of hopelessness. Why hopelessness? There are not enough viable options and opportunities for the youths of Guyana and we are all to blame for this as we squander our time focused on micro-managing rather that on the big-ticket items. The powerful have a responsibility to do something about this crisis, because failure to act can result in a proletarian revolution that guns cannot suppress. Yet, the majority of those who can be called the ‘powers that be’ (political, business and religious leaders) are still not focused on this crisis, as they continue to facilitate an inequitable distribution of the nation’s wealth.
In the past, I alluded to hopelessness as one of the conditions that allowed the Fineman gang to easily recruit some youths into demonic activities, but those who pretend to be knowledgeable, made a different case in an immature attempt to cover up their shortcomings. The reality is that the blood-letting in the nation continues. A nation is as strong as its youths, and I am very concerned for Guyana since we are losing too many youths unnecessarily and something must be done. This is not the legacy that any of us would want to be remembered for, so it is our national duty to do something and do it now.
When most of my foreparents travelled as Jahaj-bhais (ship-brothers) to Guyana, many moons ago, they left hopeless oppressive situations behind that were created by customs and men. They had a clear choice – surrender to slave-like conditions as a result of an unfair system that facilitated loan sharks in charging uneconomical interest rates that condemned them to perpetual poverty, or give up their land and take a chance in the New World with the hope that they would earn enough to change their lives for the better. Some quietly resolved never to return to India, since they firmly believed that the almighty would provide a better way of life for them in the New World. There is nothing better in life than hope. They jumped on that ship with hope in their blood and yes, they have done well for themselves – Cheddi Jagan, Yesu Persaud and Swami Aksharanandan are testament to that journey.
The essence of this letter is to question myself and others as to why are we here with all this crime, suicide and violence in Guyana. I may not have all the answers, but I am convinced that some of the basics are being conveniently ignored by the powers that be to their own detriment. Guyana must start that process of returning to the hope of the dawn of the new era (1992-1997), when every citizen was convinced that they had power over their lives, their character, the very soul of their being. I am convinced that today, we have lost our core values as a nation and something must be done so I humbly recommend the following:
1. Restructure the TV industry – There must be both free national TV stations and paying cable channels which can be a source of revenue for the state. The free TV station should only be allowed to show licensed products like locally produced shows, religious programmes, international news, educational programmes, national events, licensed movies (take note CN) and children-friendly programmes. All sitcom and other programmes that are alien to our culture and value structure should migrate to the cable channels where those who want to enjoy them must pay for these services from which the government will get its cut of taxes. Sitcoms like the Young & the Restless create an expectation in young minds that are just not real and easily achievable in Guyana, so why frustrate people and drive them to crime to get quick money or suicide to exit this life prematurely?
2. Clearly manage people’s expectation – The government should produce documentaries on the crisis in New York and how our people are losing their jobs and their standard of living. It would be a benefit to the society if one of our TV personalities could turn up in Richmond Hill and have a ‘What the people say’ programme on how Guyanese are coping with the challenges. The GRA should announce the barrel trade stats and the Bank of Guyana the money transfer stats over the last 2 years to wake up the people to the reality of what is happening. The reality of the next barrel or that US$ money transfer to tide the family over is quickly drying up, and we have to get accustomed to this fact as people continue to lose their jobs by the hundreds of thousands on a monthly basis in the developed world.
3. We have to re-orient the opportunities for our youths – Programmes must be developed countrywide for youths so that they can be gainfully occupied while at the same time securing a life skill. That is why I thought the idea of killing the GNS was a sub-optimal one. Can you imaging the youths from Cane Grove or Canal coming together at the Essequibo Technical Institute on a 3-6 month programme which teaches them history, geography, maths, self-discipline, some moral values, agronomic practices for cash-crop farming, business management, networking and the marketing of their produce, and how to negotiate with the middle man to get the best value for money? During their training, they would be allowed to observe what other cash crop farmers are doing. Upon completion of their training, they are provided with a plot of land to implement their skills, and provided with the first set of inputs such as fertiliser, seeds, etc, and they are connected with buyers. After their first crop, they would be cut loose from the programmes but would be called upon to share their skills with new recruits. This is not a dream; this can become a national reality and can be replicated among other youths in relation to other skill sets. We have to refocus more of our youths by getting them to join the export driven part of the economy rather than idling on the street corners waiting on that ‘small piece’ coming from New York.
When someone has made their mind to turn to crime or to commit suicide, there is nothing anyone can do to stop them, but empirical evidence has revealed that people of that nature are very few. We human beings like to live and love and share and take care of ourselves and others; that is our nature. By nature we are not criminals or suicidal. The imminent danger is that a significant segment of the society is being pushed to crime and suicide because our moral foundation is corrupt (most of the religious and political leadership has failed us here), our concept of a proper life is inaccurate, and our value structure is in confusion (we are not saving enough, we are not enjoying everyday life in moderation since we are stressed out over why we cannot buy the latest model cell phone that costs 80 grand).
We all have to find our own rhythm in dealing with our issues, and people will try and fail, but try again and believe me, your “rhythm is going to get you” because the divine is looking over you.
Deoki from Benares in India did not jump on that ship or Odinga from Kibera in present-day Nigeria was not forced on that ship without any hope. They had hope. Hope must breed hope not hopelessness. Wake up Guyana, repair yourself.
Yours faithfully,
Sasenarine Singh
