Guyanese need to take charge of their destiny

Dear Editor,
Outreach interactions between citizens of every community in the land and Government functionaries at one-to-one facetime are generating in Guyanese everywhere hope and trust in the current administration.
Guyana is emerging, slowly but surely, out of the long years wherein we saw each other as “them” and “us,” and nowhere was this more evocative than in outreaches of Vice-President Dr Bharrat Jagdeo and team of Government Ministers and functionaries in the Essequibo communities – an activity slated to be taken countrywide.
Touching, sincere tributes and appreciation from grateful recipients of assistance across every divide, who have demonstrated the great heart of the true Guyanese – which is reminiscent of the days when we all looked out for each other with genuine caring and respect – herald a sublimating climate of reaching out to heal wounds. Because there are wounds everywhere; some are perceived from delusional premises on which the power-hungry had built their support, and others spring from a genuine sense of not belonging and of having no rights in this country.
No country in the world is without problems, and within the human condition, there would always be human beings – black, brown, yellow, white, red, whatever – who would want to subvert the social systems in order to acquire wealth they have not earned. There would always be nepotism and corruption in and out of Government, because human beings are prone to human failings, and we need to be each other’s keepers; as in days of yore, when the freed slaves reported to the authorities on the inhumane treatment meted out to indentured labourers.
The “kith and kin” mentality should no longer prevail, because family members often hurt us more than outsiders, and many of us have forged deeper and more abiding bonds with “outsiders” than with those we share with our own; so we need to take a step back and question everyone who tells us that wrong is being done to us, and that they can do right for us, then question their track record before deciding if they qualify for our trust.
The Jagans and the PPP have always embraced anyone, irrespective of race, colour or creed, who indicated a desire to join forces with them in nation-building endeavours and initiatives. They do not promise magical wealth, but opportunities, and most often they draw supporters into social services, community enhancement, and national developmental projects that entail really hard work with little material or financial benefits, except that one gets the satisfaction that accompanies efforts to make life a little better for one’s fellow citizens.
But Shirley Edwards, PM Samuel Hinds, and others of the older generation, as well as younger elements such as Ministers Hugh Todd, Juan Edghill, Kwame McKoy and others, could testify that there is no discrimination within PPP ranks. Although there may be disagreements between members, those are never based on any racial quotient.
As VP Jagdeo once said, theirs is not a perfect party, nor is theirs a perfect Government, because no such thing has ever existed, nor will ever exist, once the human element is a component within the unit; but they are prepared to be accountable for every facet of development within their administrative paradigm.
One would expect that a responsible Opposition or media corps would not just criticise, but would put their criticism within reasonable contexts without trying to demonise persons who may be working really hard to find solutions and to enhance the capacities and services of their respective portfolios. And while mistakes may be made, maybe a respectful suggestion to an alternative approach would be constructive and open avenues for rapprochement and genuine attempts to find answers, because no one is above making mistakes; and while we may disagree, respect for each other should be a paramount feature in our interactions and interrelations with each other.
One cannot want cooperation if there is a confrontational approach, because even criticism can be well-received if there is a genuine attempt at problem-resolution, without outlandish accusations being flung at persons with no concrete proof. It demotivates persons who may be blameless about the accusations and who may be genuinely working for the general good.
For instance, one cannot refute the fact that there have been corrupt practices in certain sectors, but if there is an accusation that there is discrimination within a certain sector, then statistics and factual evidence to prove this contention must be provided. Also, the perpetrators must be identified, instead of a blanket condemnation of an entire sector. If this is done, then perceptions would most likely be changed.
Guyanese need to take charge of their destiny and the future of their children by being responsible citizens striving to reach common goals for the common good, because to continue expanding divisions within the nation would see us all sliding into a crevice leading straight to hell, when we can join forces to make a heaven of our richly-endowed country.

Yours very truly,
Suraj Singh