The curfew ended in time for the 52nd Republic anniversary. There were crowds at the stadium, the National Park and other venues as people cavorted like social distancing rules never existed. Maybe COVID now seems like an illusion for some. The fear seemed to have passed and vaccinated-only events seemed to have reassured revelers that the worse is over. Though the daily COVID figures are still rising, and deaths are still being announced the exhaustion of living two years in a pandemic has led to some of the people letting go and fearlessly partying. Hopefully we will not see a rise of COVID cases within the next few days as we did after the Christmas holidays.
The theme for this year’s Republic celebrations was ‘Guyana Together, Reflect, Celebrate and Transform’.
These themes roll off our tongues and are often printed in fancy fonts and I supposed are meant to boost the morale of the people. But do they? Isn’t our togetherness overshadowed by divisiveness? And to reflect might only evoke regret and/or pain for some who believe that many dreams have not been realized for individuals or country. Perhaps just the fact that we have survived is reason to celebrate. And perhaps we can hold on to that beautiful dream where the influence of politicians has no hold on the people. Or there is no generational dysfunction. As a collective we really are a beautiful people, but still, is Guyana just this illusion of being a Republic? Though an obvious monarch may not rule us, shadows of colonialism still darken our path.
And so, we continue to hear words like “now becoming” and “on the cusp of development” in this oil rich piece of South America. Perhaps it was unknown to some of its foreign investors who stand in the shadows of imperialism. Perhaps they looked at us as another corrupt, struggling third world country. Before ExxonMobil found oil, perhaps some never saw us. But after being exploited, will we still be something? The greatest transformation must occur in the minds of the Guyanese people.
Equality, inclusion, and unity should make a Republic. Yet, 52 years later, the poor outnumber the rich in a country rich with resources. And though the people outnumber the ones who make decisions that impact their lives, we are not united as we should be and are often excluded from the decision-making process.
This year there was no float parade but soca, calypso and the chutney competitions made the spirit of Mashramani come alive. The ideology of ‘One Guyana’ was once again promoted. Words roll off the tongues of those with a microphone and power and I sometimes wonder if they believe the words they speak. Our Republic anniversary was the ideal occasion to promote ‘One Guyana’, but it is actions we the people judge. Do we feel confident that we are indeed working towards that ‘One Guyana’? Fifty-two years after becoming a Republic why are we not there yet?
Some believe that Guyana is so divided that the solution would be to divide the country. Some have even suggested that we need two governments. We continue to stand proud on being six peoples, but still haven’t found our way to truly being one people.
Here is where we see leaders standing at podiums, pontificating about us embracing progress, pointing fingers at the opposing sides, and excluding them, and thinking the average man is daft enough to believe in the dreams of ‘One Guyana’ even though we are aware of the status quo.
There was a flag raising ceremony also this year at the parliament building. It is another loved tradition the COVID fatigue has made us long for. The flag raising is an event where we should see representation of all the political groups reassuring the Guyanese people that we are closer to the dream.
The speeches heard at the flag raising ceremonies can sometimes be inspiring and sometimes drab. Song, dance, and poetry are meant to rouse pride and give us hope. Yet at this year’s flag raising ceremony the major parliamentary opposition was excluded. And it is these realities that lead many to conclude that the efforts that are supposed to be made to foster ‘One Guyana’ are nothing but an illusion.
We the Guyanese would rather honesty. We know that there are fools amongst us who would defend even the vulgarity that sometimes occur in the National Assembly. The emperor might not wear any clothes, but there are those who would “ooh” and “aah” while ignoring the voices pointing out his nakedness.
I would like to believe that the majority would rather that the truth be told. Whether that truth is that there is no inclusion here, that poverty is state sponsored because the minimum wage cannot support the average man’s basic needs, that the political divide only continues to widen and that the politicians may make war in the sight of the people, but kiss behind the scenes and the oppression of the people is their cohesion.
The people should be able to stand in their power, be confident in their leaders and demand that those elected put country first and not their selfish agendas. It would be best to not have individuals embodying their god-complexes in positions of power. The insecurities of men and women should not manifest in the destruction or stagnation of any society.
As we celebrated the Republic anniversary, Russia invaded the Ukraine. Has there ever been universal peace since tyrants began walking on the Earth?
Guyana’s current wars may not involve nuclear weapons or forceful invasions now but since 1970 the psychological warfare has ensnared the Guyanese people. What should be one body and resolute is disintegrated. Sand has emptied in the hourglass time and time again waiting for Guyana’s arrival to stability. We have been waiting on a progressive society where all its people have an equal say, equal rights, and equal opportunity. Not just a few who can embrace the progress we speak of because their cups are full and running over.
As we observe the situation between Russia and Ukraine, we saw that both our government and opposition have condemned the actions of Russia. Yet we are wondering about when they will join hands and do what is best for the Guyanese people? They may have condemned the war between Russia and the Ukraine but the battles we fight as Guyanese continue without pause. Who will fight for us?
