On Monday January 30th, like many others I had the pleasure of being in the presence of Guyana’s Black Panther star Letitia Wright. Unpretentiously she sat on the stage of the National Cultural Centre and graciously answered questions about the path that led to her success. Having left Guyana at the age of eight, the dream that started as her creating characters, pretending that her family’s fowl pen was a tree house and just being free to be the imaginative child she was, no doubt was a solid foundation. She reminded me of myself as a child and I am sure many of the other creatives who sat at the National Cultural Centre in awe of her humility, faith, and confidence were also reminded of their childhood. We existed in the world of make-believe, found ways to escape the thorns of reality and created our own happiness.
Wright was allowed to grow – growth that is never fostered for many creative Guyanese children when they are told by their parents and others that acting, dancing, or singing are not career options for them, but must be regarded as hobbies and they must pursue careers that are more likely to guarantee them work and financial security. The thorns in the way of creatives in Guyana often seem larger than the glow from the stars that keeps us pursuing the ultimate expressions of ourselves.
For many Guyanese creatives that do pursue their dreams in Guyana despite the odds, those dreams are often overshadowed by choices we must make to afford the cost to live and for many, the older they become, their dreams begin to fade and often disappear. The art we so love and wish to live and die in often does become a hobby. The creatives living on their craft or talents alone in Guyana are scarce. And the ones who manage to live by courage and immerse themselves in it, they are often not given the respect, honour or rewards they deserve.
When we ask ourselves, what it would be if the environment existed here for more of us to achieve success such as an Eddy Grant, a CCH Pounder or Letitia Wright, it should not still be a dream. The Guyanese creatives who have been working for years at home – making films, music, dance, theatre – many have not benefitted from their body of work the way they would have had they been practicing in another part of the world. And while some are honoured and recognized for their contributions to Guyana, there are those who are not honoured or respected by their own. How do we change that?
Wright, Pounder, and Grant are three examples of what can be when Guyanese talent is nurtured, protected, and respected, but they did not achieve their success in Guyana. Still, we must celebrate us no matter which part of the world we live, breathe, and become.
The University of Guyana honoured Wright with an Honorary Doctorate. She received the key to the city of Georgetown from the Mayor and City Council, she mingled with politicians, there was a dinner at State House in her honour, she visited schools, the National Cultural Centre, and Theatre Guild of Guyana and generally she has been welcomed and celebrated by the Guyanese people. She deserves every ounce of it. Not only for staying on course to fulfil her dreams and eventually her starring role in the Black Panther films, but for the inspiration to the many young people she is. She is a role model. We hope that the boys and girls who are inspired by her, that they will be nurtured, protected, and respected right here in Guyana to become their best selves.
Wright’s entourage was small, she accepted invitations to meet with the people even though all those invites could not be fulfilled, she demonstrated that though most of her life has been spent in the United Kingdom, Guyana was the foundation where her dreams were conceived.
There are those who have asked the question within the last week of Wright being here – if Guyanese must leave the country to achieve the level of success she has. But of course, we should not have to leave Guyana to become the best versions of our creative selves. I would have written before about how often over the years I have been told to leave Guyana and seek greener pastures. I have been told that I am wasting my talent in a country where talent is often underappreciated. It is sad. But like so many others, I have stayed because for me the dream is still alive, and Guyana is home. For me I see the abundance of talent we have in Guyana and know that once it is nurtured, protected, and respected, here we can soar. Many creatives have written the films – some still in their minds, some on paper and some on screen. We have seen how magical theatre can be with the ability to transform lives. We have seen the visual artists, the musicians, dancers all here in Guyana but often, if they had the same accomplishments in another country, they may be more respected and richer.
Much of the Guyanese creatives’ time, even as adults, is still spent in the world of make-believe – thinking that somehow in our lifetime, we can manifest a Guyana where a Letitia Wright is not only born here but can stay here and become the star she is.
In this land of thorns where stars exist but their lights are often not as bright as they can shine, we can also be our worse enemies. Wright’s visit has not been without its critics. Not only those who criticized some of the rewards she received (all which she deserved), but those who place more value on how a person dresses, or how they style their hair or how much makeup they wear. It is sad that too many of our people focus on outer appearance rather that the person’s character. It is sad how many Guyanese live above their means by buying what they cannot afford all to give the impression that they are worthy. But when they learn, like Wright has and so many others, that it is not what one wears or how they adorn themselves that determines their value or success, perhaps then many will be able to escape the thorns that keep many Guyanese oppressed and daft.
We celebrate Wright.
We celebrate all the others.
May her success spark a new era for creatives to not sink in Guyana, but fly.
