Dear Editor,
I wrote this letter on 15th January in celebration of the birth anniversary of one of our best known 20th century protagonists for freedom and emancipation of democracy, Rev. Martin Luther King (jnr).
The unexpected turmoil and uncouth behaviour by some American citizens, which occurred in the Capitol last week Wednesday, 6th of January, 2021 shocked America and the rest of the world.
Those who looked to America for leadership must be concerned.
The popular discussion today in Guyana is about Constitutional Reform with the expectation that such legislation would produce a democratic society.
The challenge of this word ‘democracy’ has been what ought to be done ‘for the people’ and better still ‘by the people.’
In Guyana, the two major political entities boast they represent the people, hence the attractive names the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), the People’s National Congress (PNC) and of course, not forgetting the Working People’s Alliance (WPA).
They all claim to speak for and celebrate the vital significance and importance of the people, but this remains elusive.
In the local media, what with our own contortions, confusion and bundle of nonsense for several months of 2020 in Guyana, the issue of Constitutional Reform is now likely to be placed on the front-burner.
Therein lies my concern.
Those who feel that Constitutional Reform and the re-tooling of our related laws will solve Guyana’s problems are mistaken.
If you examine world history and recognize that dramatic changes that took place in several cities and states, some for the better, some for the worse, had little to do with the enactment of laws and the settlement of Constitutions.
Examine the events in all of modern history and what was and remains crucial is the beliefs, attitudes and competing forces and injustice by one group against the other that has led to the several coups, uprisings, revolution, civil wars, the power of ideology and religion.
The driving force in each and every case has been men and women, who set out to bring about change based on what they believe to be right and a passion to affect change.
In the long run, intellectuals and historians may see this as the dynamics and the challenge of what we in Guyana and elsewhere claim to be democracy.
Throughout mankind’s history from the time democracy has been the clarion call, this word like love remains a chameleon word, meaning different things to different people.
To liberate democracy in a country like Guyana with its experience of imperialism, colonialism, and divide and rule policies, poses a challenge of monumental proportions.
Is the winner take all system capable of making a reality of our understanding of democracy as was articulated by President Abraham Lincoln, 16th US President? – I doubt it.
But this is the difficulty of democracy.
Manipulation of our constitutional provisions would not achieve the ideal of inclusionary governance to deal with Guyana’s peculiar situation.
In 1990, while part of the government, I contended that manipulating our Constitution was not sufficient to deal with our special historical experiences as articulated earlier.
I said that this manipulation is a smoke-screen and what was necessary then and is necessary now is for the men and women who govern to embrace the idea of a moral and spiritual revival.
This is the real problem, a problem, I believe leaders and those led on both sides of the political divide are fully aware of, but it’s the same old story.
We know the answer to save us, but who is to ‘bell the cat?’
I have lived through the political period in Guyana from before the Waddington Constitution, the Cold War, the rocky but righteous road to Independence, Caricom and Republican status and several coalitions and partnership.
In all this, the bogeyman of race aggravated by the winner take all policy remain gloriously darkening our national landscape.
Look at the many Treaties, Agreements and even Prayers that are ignored routinely.
We go to church, our masjids, temples, synagogues and places of worship, most times once a week, but for the other days of the week, we engage in deceit and dishonesty.
Our legislatures swear before man and God “to be obedient to the Laws of Guyana; to love my fellow citizens and to dedicate my energies towards the happiness and prosperity of Guyana.”
When that promise is repeated, it is no more than words with little intention, in most cases, to do all things to realize the pledge and solemn promises made.
In Guyana, we see those energies directed to witch-hunting, expensive propaganda and making promises we know will not be fulfilled.
Any Constitution is as good or bad as the individuals identified to interpret, manage and execute such documents.
If those persons who purport to lead us, whether in government or out of government lack the moral rudder and spiritual compass, then we remain in the vicious cycle of unfulfilled promises awaiting the next election campaign.
Our energies must now be directed to producing a new Guyana man and woman, whose background and beliefs are in tandem with the requirements and statements of the Holy Prophets.
Today, I was speaking while at a hospital to a Bishop of an established and respected Christian denomination, and he agreed that the urgent need exists for educational programmes and policies, that will give our children from kindergarten to University values which are in tandem with high principles of righteousness and compassion.
Our CXC scholars and parents’ efforts are to gain many subjects ignoring being taught the difference between right and wrong and just as unfortunate too many of our private and public schools have little or no facilities for cultural and sporting activities. A matter that ought to be corrected immediately.
We live in a system that whichever Party emerges victorious even with only a slim majority behaves in a manner that what they do, right or wrong is correct.
I return to my contention that the only feasible solution in the culture of greed, silence in some quarters and selective criticisms is for our society, beginning now and for the next generation is to produce young people of rectitude, compassion and uncompromising patriotism.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
