Dear Editor,
The most awaited event in the history of Guyana has come and gone and can be now considered history. Sadly, there are still some lingering questions which need to be urgently addressed if we are anticipating another 50 as a nation. It is with some degree of concern that I read about the fiasco surrounding the seating for the opposition members of parliament. In addition there were also concerns expressed re the absence of our Indian brothers and sisters at both the flag-raising and the float parade. Both speak volumes. Let us not be deceived, no set of statistics can fully capture the changes the country and its citizens have recently experienced.
Needless to say, I am left puzzled, to the point where I cannot help but wonder if after 50 years of independence, we have progressed or regressed as a society. And if we have regressed what are the causal factors? Could it be that as a people we have not seen enough struggle to create the progress required for change? What solutions are we aiming for? Are we aiming for love and peace or are we simply creating more division between all parties involved?
Helen Keller, the great American political activist said the only thing worse than being blind is having sight with no vision. As the country enters into a new era, again I cannot help but wonder if the government and its ministers have arrived safely in the 50th year but have brought with them their own pre-50th year vision and attitude, etc. We have developed into a culture where much time is spent by both parties profiling the other on a daily basis. My firm belief is that the time has come to close the gap between the two main races ‒ the force that has prevented us from progressing. As my native land looks confidently towards its post-Jubilee future, it is my fervent hope that this simple message finds its way into the souls and minds of the President, ministers, the opposition and the people, that they may come to the realisation that a country divided will fall, but with the people together it will stand. Let us focus on doing the right things and not simply doing things right.
Martin Luther King Jr affirmed that darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that; hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.
Yours faithfully,
Yvonne Sam