There are cries worldwide for justice and peace stemming from the murder of George Floyd in the United States of America. Where is the fear and panic about the global pandemic COVID-19 as crowds gather, march, chant and loot? Suddenly the mainstream media has a new focus. Isn’t it strange? Just a few weeks ago millions were at risk of dying from the coronavirus. Now suddenly, social distancing, which was recommended as a way to prevent the spread, seems to be suspended as the crowds gather. Some are wondering if COVID-19 is loosening its grip on the lungs and hopes of the people so that we can all breathe free again. Or is it that we will see a new outbreak because of the protests worldwide?
The revolution is here once again. There is another attempt, it seems, to purge the earth of human conditions that have worked against the unification of the people. But will it work this time?
2020 continues to unravel like a movie filled with unexpected twists and turns. There is nothing amusing about this plot. Isn’t it strange that suddenly there is wailing throughout the world for justice when the murders of Black people by racists are nothing new?
In this film-like experience, we are dodging dangers and facing death. Is the power with the people or with a few who are watching and plotting?
We are mourning the dead and praying that the sick will recover. But can we really be surprised that this is where we are at? Is it all just a coincidence that people who were isolated have now broken free and are angry as they march and shout for justice? Our streets in Guyana are quiet now and we hope that peace remains.
In recent years the murders of Black men and women by White people that have occurred in the United States have resulted in movements like #BlackLivesMatter. The movement was created to highlight the unjustified murders and other injustices experienced by Black people because of a system of racism. It is also intended to affirm humanity and inspire change.
But the blood of those who were enslaved and their descendants has been spilt worldwide for over four hundred years because of racism. One of the major differences now is that it is being televised. It is common now to record and view these immoral acts on electronic devices.
The power of the people lies now in the fact that many are no longer afraid. They will stand in the face of the oppressors and be martyrs if it means that finally we will see a shift in the world where we all will be treated as equals. But will we see that shift? For too long the system has ignored the oppression – the discrimination, hate and murders of Black people for simply existing. Sometimes I wonder if karma only works occasionally.
Many Guyanese at home and abroad are in solidarity with the movement. The sting of police brutality and murder has been felt here. We can remember names like Yohance Douglas, Shaka Blair and Donna Herod and bow our heads for minutes of silence. They are just a few citizens who died by the hands of the police during some of the darkest days in this country. But it is not White racists who roam our streets but faces that mirror us. It is our ONE people that continues to separate us into they and them. We are like cannibals feeding on our body – seemingly unperturbed by our decay as we poison ourselves.
The police officer put his knee on George Floyd’s neck. We watched the video; some of us repeatedly as if trying to convince ourselves that what we were witnessing was real. There are so many questions we can ask about coincidences or what may be orchestrated in this year of sorrows and distress. He cried for his mother just before his death. What or who are we crying for as Guyanese while those knees are resting on our necks? Those knees of manipulation? Those knees of deception? Those knees of control? Those knees of distrust? Those knees of selfishness? Those knees of prejudice? Those knees of ignorance? What are we fighting for?
Do we hold our breaths and wait to be rescued? Do we continue to allow this strangulation, willingly sacrificing ourselves for the will of a few men? Do we really believe that our leaders are going to save us? Will election results suddenly liberate us and destroy the prisons that have kept us from progressing as we should?
But, are we not comfortable with those knees on our necks? Some of us seem to love the assault on our intelligence. We seem to be in a permanent embrace with the factors that have hindered our progress. We will kiss our neighbours today and stab them in the back tomorrow because of skin. Some of us feign insanity. With twisted truths and attempts to rewrite our history, some of us are void of credibility. Amnesia seems to be common here.
We deserve better. We deserve to truly stand as an Independent nation. We are not children to be schooled by nations drowning in their own corruption and wickedness. We deserve governments that are for all the people. Our election periods should not be dark days in which half of the population lives in fear that their choices will not hold the power. We should not have to fear discrimination because of who is in power. We should not have to fear that our children will be targeted, or our communities will be stigmatized. We should not have to fear losing our jobs because of a few conceited men. We should not fear that we will receive crumbs and not bread.
I ask again, what are we fighting for? Why do we cheer for the leaders we support and despise the ones we don’t? What are the underlying reasons for our discontent? Are we really fighting for Guyana?
Why are we not angrier that in fifty-four years we have continuously regressed? Have we become so accustomed to those knees on our necks that we believe it is normal? Have we accepted that the majority of our citizens will live in poverty grappling with distrust and fear regardless of how much wealth we have in oil or gold?
It is time we use our strength to rise from the weight of those knees resting on our necks. We cannot continue and will not survive another fifty-four years under this system that has continuously sought to separate us. We all deserve the good life. The right is ours to be comfortable and assured that we will be fairly treated and esteemed regardless of who governs us. We deserve leaders that regardless of political affiliation, we all can be proud and have confidence in them.
It is time to remove the knees from our necks. But when will we rise, look our oppressors, the gatekeepers and apologists in the eyes and say, “Enough!”
