There has been much speculation about the events that followed the March 2nd general elections.
“We are fighting for democracy” and “Do not steal our votes” are a couple of the taglines we heard from the players in Guyana’s political game. It is a game of tricks, division and misperceptions that has left the Guyanese people in a state of restlessness and uncertainty.
Two months later we have started the long-awaited recount process that hopefully will end the drama and lead to credible results that will see our country moving forward. But if and when that happens, much of the damage to relationships amongst of our people, including the seeds of distrust that have been planted, are beyond repair. Maybe we would stand a chance if the majority of our leaders were genuinely invested in the interests of the people and cared about working together to unite and build our country.
Many have shared their opinions on our election drama. Whether it is the voices of those foreigners in whose elections Guyana would never have a say or our local critics, pessimists and optimists, we have heard their voices. Many believe that some of the players in our election drama are simply after Guyana’s oil wealth. It is not about the will of the Guyanese people or holding credible elections or holding governments accountable, but simply the interests of those bloated with greed and invested in furthering their interests to set the foundations for their generations, while the majority of the Guyanese people would be fed crumbs and left to battle through the instability.
A while ago, I shared my opinions on the oil curse. I deliberated on whether Guyana’s oil wealth would be a blessing or curse. We heard the voices of the environmentalists and others who believed we should have left it in the ground. I did not agree with those voices. It might be a conflict to care about preservation of our environment and still agree with oil exploration, but I always thought Guyana’s oil was another opportunity to develop our great country. I believed that with good governance, we had the opportunity to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor and create a country where citizens could finally truly enjoy the full benefits of our natural resources. There is still a smidgen of hope for that, but if there is any truth in the allegations that some of the players in our political drama are simply after the oil wealth, I have to ponder again – will we be another casualty of the oil curse? I have to wonder if I was too quick to dismiss those who said we should have left it in the ground. I have to wonder if Guyana was not an oil producing country whether this election drama would have concluded by now.
A few days ago, I found a timely quote by the late reggae superstar Bob Marley: “Some people are so poor, all they have is money.”
Undoubtedly Bob Marley was one of the sages of our world. It is evident that his purpose was to convey universal and inspirational messages of hope, peace, love, unity and justice through his music. He transitioned before I was born, but from the time I developed the self-awareness to understand the power of music and the messages in his songs, I was a fan.
Affluence is not a curse. I will therefore never condemn those who seek wealth as a way of enhancing their life experiences and helping others. Like many, I am also on a path of seeking wealth. Poverty is not a blessing. We can talk about the poor inheriting the kingdom of heaven or how difficult it is for a rich man to enter heaven, but hungry children crying for a morsel is not beautiful. Men and women on the verge of mental breakdowns because they cannot afford to live does not build a society. Dying because one cannot afford health care is not a reality to be celebrated. The homeless men and women in our society are not décor for our streets.
However, what we value in this world as wealth has corrupted the path of many. It is the money one has in the bank and material possessions by which the majority judges one’s relevance in this world. The poor man is often not highly regarded. Yes most of us may believe that we all are equal because we all are flesh and blood, all possess the mind to accomplish anything we conceive and will all eventually die, but the disparities between the rich and the poor impacts not only the quality of life but often also the length of one’s life. The disparities can also affect one’s desire to dream even though often all the poor possess are dreams.
If there is any truth to the allegations about players in our political game being after our oil wealth, it is just another revelation about the lengths people would go fulfill their selfish needs and wants. Whether their desires destabilise a country, whether it creates further racial conflicts or cost lives, they do not care as long as their agendas are fulfilled, and they have the power.
But are such people ever truly happy? When they seek power at all costs, believing it would complete them, enhance their self-worth and end their desperate needs to find happiness, do they ever really achieve it? Or do they often die without ever truly finding happiness?
Some who are wealthy are miserable. Time is spent worrying about how they will keep their wealth. The wealthy should not be careless and squander their money for we should lay the foundation for the next generation to enjoy a more enriching quality of life. But how can one enjoy one’s wealth when one cannot find peace? Constant worry and mistrust create a prison in which some silently suffer. It is such realities that make them poor. Their souls are poor. Their perceptions of what it means to enjoy life are poor. Their motivations are often poor. Their mental health is often poor. How often we have seen wealthy people end their lives?
Happiness is finding the balance between the spiritual and physical and being able to enjoy the best quality of life. It is finding the time to enjoy what nature has given us. It is the time we take to build relationships with those we love. It is sharing ourselves and doing our part to bridge the existing gaps to create a better world.
If there are any truths to the allegations that some of those parading as voices of reason fighting for the rights of Guyanese people, are simply trying to fulfill their selfish agendas because of oil, what a display we have seen of some of the poorest men and women.
Maybe I am too much of an optimist, but I still believe there is hope for Guyana. I will comfort myself with that.
