Dear Editor,
Among the things which join us as a people, as a nation, is a system, a culture, of fear and silence. Some of us fear the government. Others fear the opposition. The bottom line is we fear our leaders and each other for different and varying reasons. The fear silences us, breeds distrust and robs us of hope. This is the tragedy of our country.
This culture of fear and silence is the politician’s most powerful weapon. What has become of our people in this system? All of our people, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, religion or political affiliation, have been imprisoned. Their mouths have been muzzled. There is no doubt that this culture of fear and silence has imprisoned the Guyanese psyche.
We remain silent because we believe the silence protects our well-being, our family, our children, our livelihood, our chance of survival in this place we call home. But is this the legacy that we wish to leave our children?
Fighting the fear is a simple thing. It is a matter of embracing the truth, speaking about it openly among ourselves and to our leaders. It is time that we let them know that our silence does not mean that we do not see. Yes, it takes courage to speak but courage does not mean lack of fear. Rather, courage is a fancy word for the productive use of fear. We conquer fear only by embracing it.
There is also the issue of arriving at truth. How do we decide what to believe? The answer lies in questioning everything endlessly.
We must question ourselves, our government, our opposition; we must question everything and examine everything carefully before we decide what we will believe. Our belief should not be something that is too easily given.
Guyanese people should not let anyone decide their truth for them. Politicians are not the ones who should decide which voices are important or which are telling the truth. Truth is our own personal journey and besides, these politicians live off the power that we, the people, have given them. Where would they be without us?
So Editor, my earlier declaration that I will not be silent or silenced and my call for my countrymen and women to join me is really the first step in dismantling this system, this culture, of fear and silence which imprisons our people. It does not represent anger and it is not a declaration of war. It is an acknowledgement of consciousness; a consciousness that will spread.
For my people and country.
Yours faithfully,
Sara Bharrat
