Dear Editor,
I refer to Mr. Wendell Jeffrey’s letter titled, ‘On May 26 Granger has the opportunity to distance himself from the racially divisive behaviours of the past’ (SN, May 2). Using the letter writer’s impressive contribution as context, I make the following comments in what is proffered to President Granger as a draft speech proposal for his May 26 address to the nation. It is about nation building, not the customary divisiveness; about reconciliation and not partisanship; and about tomorrow to make up for all the forsaken yesterdays.
Starting slowly, I share first impressions from very limited acquaintance with the President: he is a humble, sincere person. He is not one given to great flights of fancy, who will wax lyrical and stirring. He will not be spellbinding. Still, I take the man for his honesty and perceived purity of purpose. While I laud Mr Jeffrey, I caution that the expectation cannot be anything of the calibre of “ask not what your country…” (John Kennedy); or “A house divided against itself cannot stand” (Abe Lincoln). While these are captivating phrases, the questions to be asked (by Mr Granger and of citizens) are: What is my private soul? What is my core particle? And especially as they relate to cohesion and inclusion here in Guyana?
Now while the President may not be a master musician, he can rise to the decibel of an expert orchestrator on May 26 through a transcending symphony of surging sound. He must make it happen; it must be his political and personal legacy to this nation. Accordingly, I share these thoughts and words and phrases for his consideration.
“My fellow Guyanese, on this historic day, on this continuing journey in the difficult quest for true nationhood, I pledge myself to the unification of this injured land called home. I commit myself and government to work tirelessly towards this hitherto elusive harmony. I mean and will stand for brotherhood across the rainbow of colours; I stand for social cohesion, and the justice and peace that this represents in the clean bright light of this Guyanese day for the ages. It is a truly Guyanese day, and one that should ‒ must ‒ endure beyond our times, in this hallowed place called Guyana.
“I invite one and all (no exceptions) to join with me to make this powerful never-ending dream become reality; this reality enduring; and this enduring legacy our own bequest to future generations. For too long this society has existed in the crouched foetal huddle of promises stilled by indirection, by proxy, and by concealment. The time has come for that time to be over, for the death (political and social), described by Quintus Valerius Catullus as “the sleep of eternal night” to be over. The political and racial tightrope must be crossed. Like Captain Oates in Antarctica, the heroic self-sacrifice must be made, if only to assure the survival of others.
“And with the help of the Almighty, I declare to you the dedication of my energies towards a broad channelled vision that speaks of the comprehension and place of compromise; the demanding call to consensus building, when such counts. Politics has always been an improbable, ignoble institution; the paradox is that it still reaches, on occasion, for near un-scalable summits. On this grand day, such summits beckon those willing to respond, to travel the hard road, to walk all the talk. Walk with me.
“This society needs all of this, and some more, if only to soothe its soul, and to move its spirit. The work ahead is hard and long, but there must be the power of purposeful steps to get from where we are to where we want to be if only for stability, for success and, indeed, for our very survival. Ralph Waldo Emerson asserted that ‘character is higher than intellect.’ I agree. It is why this nation standing at the wearying crossroads must manifest its true character today, and henceforth that sturdy approbation of sensitive, honourable conscience at the individual and societal level. There can be difference of opinion on the way towards cohesion and inclusion, but I do not think that there is a difference of principle on this most compelling of issues.
“Our collective existence has been one of a yoke around the neck; tight handcuffs on the wrists; and a ball and chain on the feet. Together, these shackles form the wedge that deform and retard this nation. Can it ever be different? I dare to say that it can be different this time with the will, and sustained interest to propel forward and past the trapdoors, the bottlenecks and the hurdles. I so believe and seek to infuse you with these beliefs of mine. It all begins with the inexhaustible, relentless reversing of a tragic divisive history, one painful, weeping, hoping step at a time.
“My brothers and sisters, fellow citizens, it is imperative that all of us distance ourselves from the selfish expectations and sorry results of the past. The time is here and now to deliver across a spectrum of fronts, inclusive of individuals, families, communities, regions and, ultimately, the nation itself. There are no shortcuts; no quick solutions; no place for one-upmanship or brinksmanship, but only that of political and social fellowship.
“It begins and ends with that one vast meaningful word: deliver. Deliver change. Deliver on promises. Deliver results.
“May the month of May remind all of what is possible… Now let us go forth together. Together!”
Yours faithfully,
GHK Lall
