Dear Editor,
When will we start allowing the world to once again acknowledge our country, not one month out of the twelve, but every single day? Guyana, the country that is larger than New York State, home of the largest eagle and largest water lily; home to the No 2 ranked highest waterfall in the world, and home to a large rainforest. When will we begin to treat one another as fellow citizens, and realize that our country that is being destroyed was built because our forefathers and mothers were willing to go the extra mile, even laying down their lives, all in the name of progress? When, oh when will we come to realize that we need to support each other as a culture. The time is now for the truth to be faced and bravely spoken. The truth about what it is like this day to be a Guyanese living in Guyana, with the double standards in the education system, the government, the police, the business world, the spiritual arena, etc.
Here is another serving of truth, although some may not like to hear it, but then again how can we pull ourselves up by our yachting boots’ strings in a country replete where there are people who are visually and aurally deficient. We are still a divided nation; national disunity is still prevalent and the election promise nowhere near to being fulfilled. Where is the emotion and anger at the unthinkable wrongs that are still being done to our own people by our own people? We started out behind, and are still behind. That’s the reality.
How can we go about changing things, being proactive rather than reactive and destructive?
Let us stop being silent when we see wrong being done. Silence is endorsement. Why are we killing each other? The answer speaks volumes about the value we place on ourselves, and answers the question as to the esteem in which we hold each other and how we have been conditioned to think less of ourselves and each other. So let us stop violence against each other, especially the ongoing abuse of our women. It is time to step out of the past.
Initiate previously avoided conversations with each other and call out cronyism or racism when it is seen, heard or practised. The time to be afraid has passed. We must find our voice and guard our hearts. It is imperative that we start now, striving cooperatively, intentionally and with courage, and then continuing. Remember that it is not all about us but also the children and their future. Enough is enough! Let the action start.
Yours faithfully,
Yvonne Sam
