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I was there when Guyana became a sovereign nation

Jun 07, 2008 Letters

DEAR EDITOR

I was there at the National Park forty two years ago when the British Flag the “Union Jack” was taken down and our own Golden Arrow Head was hoisted by our own Major Desmond Roberts. Immediately after that we were no longer “British Guiana”. But we had become a Sovereign Nation, we had become “Guyana”.

I was 25 years old and I was with a member of the “United Force Youth Arm”, “The Guyana United Youth Society (GUYS)”. There also were members of the PPP youth arm.

The “Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) and also the youth arm of the PNC, “Peoples National Congress Youth Organisation (PNCYO). It was tough previous to our “Independence”. We of the youth arm of these powerful political parties had our “ups and downs.” We were all one on that night of 26th of May, 1966.

I was there when Cheddi Jagan , Peter D’Aguiar and Forbes Burnham embraced. Yes! We had our political difference, but we had achieved what we were fighting for and after our struggles, the British Home Secretary “Duncan Sandy” had no alternative than to grant our Country its independence.
I was there prior to our independence when the British soldiers came to British Guiana. I still remember the names of some of the troops that came here. They were “The Argiks, Worchester Regiment, The Black Watch (They were Scottish and wore kilts, we used to make fun of them in their “Skirts’). They came with their musical instruments “The Bag Pipes” (love the sound of that instrument), I played football with some soldiers of those regiments who represented British Guiana at one time or the other .
I could now see that “Half Black” Danny Kaje. (That was the name football fans of that time give to that tough robust white man). Regardless of who say what, I am proud to be part of the few who are still alive (I am 67) that struggled for my country’s independence.

Guyanese of every race should be proud to be a sovereign nation. I lived through colonialism for 25 years and I can say now that we the “natives” were taken as second class peoples.
Today, our political founder fathers have all gone home (Cheddi Burnham and D’ Aguiar). As we go further into our 43rd year of independence I pray that all of us try to be united to make this land of ours a better place. You politicians stop the blame game, stop the power seeking, stop the racial division. We have not achieved much economicallysinceindependence but I was there and I feel proud to be Guyanese, you can’t deport me from here.

My President is Bharrat Jagdeo, my opposition leader is Robert Corbin, my political leader is Manzoor Nadir. They are all my leaders and I have no apologies to give to anyone. I was politically involved since 1961, I was 20 years old. My political mentor is Mr. Kit Nacimento (Kit you can take a bow).
I was there on the “streets”, in the “trenches” politically for 49 years. I am still here, I saw it all, let us stop the fighting and move on. God, Allah, Bhagawan, bless my country. Politics does not divide us, Race does.
Murtland Slugger Williams

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