Dear Editor,
It is a norm for Guyanese in the diaspora especially in New York, London, Barbados and Toronto to celebrate our country’s independence (in late May) and attract overseas-based nationals from other Caribbean states. I applaud these patriotic diaspora Guyanese who proudly celebrate as an annual ritual their country’s independence – although I am not sure what they celebrate given the deterioration of our country since independence. Our Caricom sister nation Trinidad and Tobago celebrated her 50th independence on Friday, and there are also questions about the deterioration of the quality of life there as is the case worldwide in all former colonies.
Independence festivities marking the 50th anniversary were held all over T&T (from news accounts) as well as in the diaspora particularly in NY, Toronto, Miami and London where the largest numbers of Trinis are found outside of their homeland. Those who planned and organized the T&T celebrations deserve similar accolades as those showered on Guyanese for their hard work to make others feel proud of their country’s freedom from colonial subjugation.
The overseas T&T celebrations attracted a lot of Guyanese and other nationals in the diaspora even in far away little Aruba where I celebrated the landmark achievement with some Trinis. Although the T&T diaspora celebrations (in NY and Toronto) were not as large (in size) and as long on cultural presentations as those held by diaspora Guyanese for our country’s independence, they were similar in scope and activities (speeches, cultural dances, tassa, pan, anthem, flag-hoisting, multi-faith prayers, etc) attracting a lot of Guyanese and nationals of other Caribbean territories.
It is not surprising that Guyanese joined their Trini brethren to celebrate the occasion as a lot of Guyanese are settled in Trinidad and Tobago (I meet them regularly throughout the year) with many married to Trinis and raising large families. Guyanese should be proud of and show patriotism (and indeed they do) towards their newly adopted homeland. In the diaspora (particularly in England, Canada and US), Trinis and Guyanese co-mingle. They appreciate each other’s presence and tend to attend each other’s celebrations. They also worship together (particularly in Masjids and Mandirs) in London, Toronto, Miami, Orlando, Ft Lauderdale, NY and Trinidad.
In NY and Toronto, the TT Consuls General on Friday hosted celebrations to which many Guyanese, including this writer, and other Caribbean people were invitees. In little Aruba Guyanese joined the small number of Trinis at the Costa Riba restaurant near Baby Beach. Unlike in NY or Toronto, there aren’t well organized communities of Guyanese or Trinis or other nationals in Aruba and the smaller islands. The Trini Arubans celebrated their independence at a restaurant and at clubs in much the same way that Guyanese Arubans or Guyanese Antiguans celebrated their country’s independence last May. I observed last May’s independence in Antigua and Guyanese celebrated the occasion with a dance at a hall and drinking at clubs – not with cultural variety shows, anthem, flag-hoisting, and speeches as we do in NY. There was pride and patriotism in the celebrations in the small islands, but they tend to lack the deep, intense nationalist fervour and the live musical bands and featured artistes (from the homelands) that we are accustomed to in NY. Nevertheless, nationals reminisce about the good times of yesteryear and the great foods in their former homelands.
In spite of the limitations to their celebrations and the yearning desire to be home for the occasion, the Trini and Guyanese nationals in Aruba told me they had a wonderful time and are indeed proud of their homeland and their background. But they have made it clear they will not trade life in Aruba for that in their home country, although they did say they visit their homelands from time to time.
Independence from colonial rule has not benefited them, for they feel they have a better lifestyle and standard of living in Aruba which is still under colonial rule. They will not trade colonial rule for independence.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
