So, now that “Arrival Day” has come and gone, maybe we can all look back at what the fuss was all about on whether it should actually be “Indian Arrival Day” or not. Now it’s true that other groups “arrived” – many more than you think! Did you know that Englishmen, Maltese, Americans, West Indians, Africans and Germans were tried out – in addition to the Portuguese, Indians, and Chinese we know about?? So, your Eyewitness presumed that not to offend their sensibilities the PPP Government didn’t want to focus only on the Indians.
But in moving around and reading the reports, it doesn’t seem that a single member of those groups took time to commemorate their arrival. After all the trouble the PPP took to make them feel part of the family!! Just the Indians came out – as they’ve done since the sixties. Gotta be a reason for that, no?? Your Eyewitness can understand the Germans, Americans, Maltese and Englishmen – they amounted to just hundreds and never had an impact. The Maltese, for instance, had to be sent back!!
Now we also know the West Indians and Africans blended into the local freed African community very quickly! They did so to such an extent very few of them even know they came from elsewhere – AFTER emancipation!! But how about the Portuguese and Chinese?? What’s their excuse?? Could it be they resent being lumped with the Indians on THEIR day of arrival?? Maybe your Eyewitness should conduct a survey!!
But the Portuguese first arrived from Madeira on May 3, 1835 – three years before the Indians. So maybe they’re miffed THEIR day wasn’t picked as the holiday, since being FIRST is a big thing in Guyana!! As it ought to be!! Or is it because the Brits rejected them and didn’t even recognise them as “Europeans”, they don’t want to be reminded of their indentured beginnings??
But they got nothing to be ashamed of in that department. More than any other group, they died like flies, but yet persevered and very quickly prospered!! They’re the ones who pioneered that unique Guyanese institution – rum shops – across the land!! Your Eyewitness has a suggestion, since it appears the PPP has dug in their heels on the Arrival Day moniker. Maybe the THEME for the day can be changed annually in the sequence of arrival – Portuguese, West Indian, African, Indian and then Chinese??
We can go further and have a specific dish for each year to go with the designation, say, Garlic Pork followed by Conkie, Foo Foo, Curry, and Lo Mein!! We can continue with other cultural features like clothing, etc.
And before you know it, we’ll be so integrated, we wouldn’t even have to be reminded we’re “One Guyana”!!
…but the PPP?
Looking at the PPP and PNC going about their (political) business in the last week, your Eyewitness’s mind was cast back to his school days (daze?). Brutus had just remarked to Cassius on cheers in the background probably signalling yet another honour on the Emperor Caesar. Replied Cassius, “Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world/ Like a Colossus, and we petty men/ Walk under his huge legs and peep about/ To find ourselves dishonourable graves.”
It doth seem that nowadays the PPP is a colossus under whose legs the PNC has to creep around!! The point is the PNC’s been unable to seize the initiative from the PPP – even though there are so many issues to be seized. The Exxon insurance issue and the Press Freedom issue are much too esoteric for the average voter.
However, there’s the phenomenal increase in the cost of living. But where’s the sustained messaging on how they can resolve it and at least gain some traction??
Get real, PNC!!
…but the US
Looking at the Guyanese meeting Pres Ali on his trip to Charles III’s coronation, your Eyewitness was struck at how obviously less prosperous they are compared to their US counterparts.
The USA’s still the land of opportunity!!
