Dear Editor,
Arrival Day which was observed on May 5 is a good time to reflect on the difficult road we have traversed as a people and the challenges that lie ahead as we strive to forge a peaceful and cohesive society.
There can be no doubt that we have come a long way since the days of slavery and indentureship. We are now a democratic and free country where there is equality of opportunity for everyone regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation. This is why we must celebrate our diversity and strive at all times to be the best we can in whatever ways we can. In the final analysis it is the sum total of our collective efforts that provides us with the impetus and national energy to move forward.
It is our embrace of culture that defines us as a nation. We are culturally rich. Ours is a society in which is culturally pluralistic and ideologically diverse. We come from diverse cultural backgrounds and ethnicities but we do not allow our diversity to stand in the way of our desire for nationhood and community.
This is why there is so much hope for the future of this great country we live in. We refused to be divided along the lines of race and ethnicity despite the intrigues and machinations of our colonial masters. In short, we managed successfully to defeat those who sought to divide us and rule us. We confronted slavery, indentureship, colonialism, neo-colonialism, dictatorial and authoritarian rule and always emerged victorious with our heads high and our pride undiminished. It was a hard and difficult struggle but in the end as a people we won.
This is why we have to embrace universal values of freedom and democracy that transend the narrow confines of race and ethnicity. Sociologists have long ago debunked the concept of ethnic or cultural superiority. The fact is that no race or culture is superior or inferior to any. We are all Guyanese regardless of race, ethnicity and political affiliation, and we all have an equal claim to our national patrimony.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
