Visits by US congressmen spark hope in some and demonstrate desperation in others. Ignored or silenced ones may not be heard when it is ones in suits and ties and ladies in their finest who sit in offices to paint pictures of glory to those who now know that Guyana exists. However sometimes ignored and silenced voices may be heard – like those in Mocha who spoke fearlessly about their troubles in the presence of government representatives and the US congressman Jonathan Jackson who was invited to Guyana by the government. There were allegations about discrimination, racial and economic. We are in a time in Guyana where some of our people are being told that for bridges and roads their lives must be interrupted. Such interruptions are costly and when the people feel that what they own, what was fought for and what was bought after the foot of the slave masters eased off their necks, is not respected or valued as it should be, there will be discord.
We are in a time when it seems like beautifying the country is more important than the comfort and survival of some of the people. We welcome development in Guyana, but it is not seen only in infrastructural development. It should not come at the cost of the people’s sanity and ability to live comfortably with the shameless telling them to wait years to be treated like decent human beings worthy of the best resources of this country. It should not come with accusations of discrimination. It should be that all the people of this nation are able to live and not just exist.
One of the stories we heard from the meeting in Mocha was about those from Peters Hall who are being asked to move for the sake of the new Demerara Harbour Bridge. We heard that a family was paid fifty-five million dollars for their plot and building, but that others were offered twenty and thirty million for theirs. It was insinuated that the family who was paid fifty-five million was paid this because of their racial identity. It was also alleged that some are being paid according to private surveys while some are being forced to accept the government surveys.
How do we preach oneness in this country and these allegations about discrimination are now constant? Are these fictional stories? Is there some sinister plot to sully the government’s image by accusing them of engaging in the practice of racism? Or is it the reality?
Many want to bury their heads in the sand and pretend that the ugly parts of this country’s present realities are not real. However, a docile group of people will only complain and not act in their own best interests. Some will acquiesce for a little morsel and façade that they are counted. However, when the dissatisfied of this nation grows, we are threatened with storms. We do not want storms. We want our land to be peaceful. We want fairness, equality, and progress for all.
Are the people of this country being treated like this land belongs to all of them? Are the resources of this country theirs when teachers have been striking since February and little progress has been made in coming to a resolution? Never mind the children who are being left behind. We have seen a government who unashamedly demonstrates how stubborn and disrespectful they are to the nation’s teachers. They have expressed their desire to appeal a court ruling in the favour of the teachers. It is unfortunate that we have become accustomed to such vileness.
After Mocha, the congressman was taken to Albouystown where people expressed their gratitude to the government. Some will say it was an attempt at damage control for what occurred in Mocha. People praising the government for what they are elected to do with the resources of this country will continue to expose how they do not know their power or value themselves. However, we can hear good news like from the man who claimed to be building five houses and be grateful to the “lords and saviours” of this land. The congressman could have looked around and seen dilapidated buildings and desperate people, but anything to paint the picture that those who have been elected to serve us are good and kind and fair and a blessing to this nation.
While the congressman was perhaps being sold dreams, told tales, and exposed to the realities good and bad of this nation, we saw that political activist and talk show host Kidacki Amsterdam was arrested for a cybercrime. Someone called into his show and said that four members of the government should be gotten rid of. Violence or threats of violence cannot be condoned. We create an unsafe society when such is left unchecked. Kidacki Amsterdam said immediately after the call ended that he does not endorse the promotion of violence. He however said that Guyana could be a better place if we see the backs of some politicians, and apparently this was the reason for his arrest. If the caller’s threats were to be taken seriously, would they not seek to find the caller?
We saw Amsterdam in handcuffs. The police took him to court to try to have him remanded without his lawyers being present. Yet those who sit in offices in their finest, tried to paint a picture to the US congressmen that all is fair and well in Guyana. They find their subservient ones, those who benefit from corruption and selfish ones, to talk about the great progress even when the eyes can see, and the ears can hear. There are those who constantly verbally abuse the people of this nation using their platforms and those who have made threats but have never been arrested for cybercrimes. There are accused rapists who were never placed in handcuffs. However, some of those who are loud and oppose the government, are humiliated, and prosecuted.
Visits by US congressmen spark hope in some and desperation in others. US congressmen will not solve our problems. The allegations of discrimination, disrespect and the prosecution of only certain individuals will not just disappear. As the two Guyanas continue to take shape the hope of oneness in the One Guyana dreams seems dimmer with every passing day.
