Dear Editor,
There was a notable difference in the recent speeches given by President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping. Both Presidents addressed their respective countries. The USA was focused on regaining internal stability and unity, while China was focused on strengthening both internal management, development and external strategy. This stark difference speaks volumes to the choice before our great nation. Guyana and all Guyanese must decide how much longer they will continue upon the path of internal division, which hinders development and growth. If the choice is made to shift towards unity as one nation united and strong, then internal development will be strengthened and our focus will be upon solutions and their implementation instead of creating obstacles for those who are bringing progress that are from another party. China’s homogeneous population allows for easier progress than that of a country with a multi-ethnic population, but we must find ways to truly embrace being One People who place being Guyanese above all else, who identify with One Nation, which is Guyana, with One Destiny where all citizens have a say and a share. Only then will we as a nation quickly achieve our true national potential
Alternatively, development will be based on affiliation and each individual group’s ability, a microcosm of what the world is and how it has developed. If history is an indicator of what is possible, it is fair to say that community affiliation has stronger roots than national affiliation at this stage of our national development. The debates in Parliament must lend themselves to overcoming such obstacles by first defining the root cause of the division, which quite honestly has remained a white elephant in the room. Unfortunately, our nation is still in the denial phase that comes before sincere reconciliation. This step is necessary for there to be an honest effort towards unity. Without it our national development will reflect a society that is divided by cultural roots. This by no means is a terrible destination, but we must accept that this is the consequence of continued internal division and find ways to optimise this form of development where safe coexistence can flourish. Thus, the renewed importance and need for focus on law and order, which quite honestly needs to be seriously relooked at. A nation divided cannot police itself effectively if distrust along ethnic lines is flourishing and those in charge of law and order are not reflecting the ethnic makeup of the nation. A pending area of opportunity for the Government? Few would disagree that more must be done in this area.
The future of the country comes down to the choices we make. Are we truly comrades or are we Guyanese only after racial or political affiliation? Either way we can be successful, but we must not fool ourselves as to which path, we have collectively decided to pursue. The choice is before us. Choose wisely.
Best regards,
Jamil Changlee
