Every time I see another ‘One Guyana’ concert I wonder if the idea is to keep the people feeling good and entertained while distracted from the issues that are detrimental to this country. Is ‘One Guyana’ the same as ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’? Or is it two different meanings? Perhaps the true meaning of ‘One Guyana’ is that it is for one group of people – a group who allows themselves to be muzzled, who do not oppose any actions from those in power whether right or wrong, a group who rub shoulders with the big boys and only look out for their interests and not that of the collective.
The concept of ‘One Guyana’ seems illusive and not a genuine attempt to unite us as a people or improve our lives. For how can we keep concerts, build monuments and plaster ‘One Guyana’ around the country when we can clearly see the widening gap between the minority rich and majority ‘not rich’ demonstrating that there are two Guyanas?
The average Guyanese cannot afford to live comfortably under this new oil rich Guyana and the government does not seem to think this is an emergency. Promising people small increases on their pension, school cash grants and salaries that do not amount to any significant change in their lives further frustrates this nation. The cost of living is a burden. Every time one visits the market the prices are increasing. When someone told me this week $1200 for a pound of tomatoes, I do not know what shocked me more – the fact that I was shocked or the fact that it is the norm now to pay triple and quadruple the price for items.
But let’s address these ‘One Guyana’ concerts. We see a long list of artistes being invited to perform at these concerts and being a person who is a part of the performing arts I am always happy to see other creatives working and earning. However, we all are aware that there are some artistes, some of the biggest names in music in this country who have never been asked to perform at these concerts. The whispers and voices especially on social media say that they are blacklisted. The reality is that it is strange that these men have never performed at these ‘One Guyana’ concerts where we have even seen some of the previously unknown being in the spotlight. Jumo Primo and Kwasi Ace have earned their place as talented musicians in our society and therefore being worthy to perform at any event where local artistes are booked. Yet, ‘One Guyana’ concert after ‘One Guyana’ concert in and out of Guyana and these men have not been a part. It is not hard to spot the hypocrisy in promoting ‘One Guyana’ concerts while allegedly blacklisting certain artistes. And let’s be honest, why are they allegedly blacklisted? For speaking out about the issues that are affecting the people? For their political affiliation? For performing at the now opposition rallies during the last elections?
We live in a society where people are afraid to speak or voice an opinion that does not align with those in power because they might be ostracized as the artistes mentioned above. We have seen the cyber bullying charges for some who have been vocal on social media. We have seen how some overseas-based Guyanese have had wanted bulletins issued for them that left us scratching our heads.
This issue of people allegedly being blacklisted has not only affected Jumo Primo and Kwasi Ace, however. Months ago, I was involved in a production where an actor was removed from the play. Randolph Critchlow is a known representative for the opposition. He was asked to leave the cast of Makantali after rehearsing for some weeks. Makantali is a play that was written by Harold Bascom which won the Guyana Prize for Literature in 1996. It is about pork-knocking life in Guyana in the early 1900s: a sad tale of how many men squandered their wealth. Before it was staged this year at the National Cultural Centre it was only staged once before at the Theatre Guild in 2011. Since seeing that first staging, I had always wanted to be a part of the play. So, I was excited to be a part of the production which was sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport. The play was a part of an initiative where the ministry will sponsor four Guyana Prize winning plays a year to be staged at the National Cultural Centre every quarter. I applaud this initiative especially since theatre has been on the decline for the last decade or two. In February my play was the first to be staged in this series of plays and then Makantali in May.
But a shadow was cast over this production when Critchlow was removed from the cast. It left an uncomfortable feeling for some cast members. There are those of us who acknowledge that politics should not affect a person’s opportunities to work as an artist in Guyana. And what better way to demonstrate this so-called ‘One Guyananess’ by allowing the arts to remain unaffected by politics.
There was no outcry. A few people highlighted this issue, but most of the cast remained silent. There were those who believed that if the cast stood together and voiced their disagreement and refused to perform without Critchlow that the production could not happen. But desperation, fear and selfishness won.
During this time, as I pondered on what had happened in my silence, it was evident how we as a performing arts community are put in situations where we too can be silenced. I saw how easily it was to keep us divided because most people only look out for their best interests, what they can gain and bowing to those who want to keep them controlled. It demonstrated how we eat ourselves from the inside. There was a time when we as a performing arts community would protest when we were wronged, but now in this desperate time of oil rich Guyana most people are afraid to stand and speak.
I will say that we are not serious or genuine when we talk about ‘One Guyana’. It does not have the same meaning as our motto.
In a true ‘One Guyana’ most contracts would not be awarded to one group of people. Oil blocks would not be owned by one group of people. Everyone would be given a fair opportunity whether they support the government or not. Every community would be developed. There would not be one set of rules for the majority and another set for a minority. Everyone would get justice when they were wronged.
Nevertheless, the sham of ‘One Guyana’ will continue with concerts, billboards, monuments, hypocrisy and a few filling their pockets. Those who blindly support it will continue to delude themselves that Guyana is becoming a better place.
