The power is within us

Aug 31, 2008 AFC Column, Features / Columnists

By Sheila Holder, MP

Everyday the goodness of people around the world is recorded in some way or another. As the events of the Democratic National Convention taking place in the USA unfolds this week the world looks on mesmerised by the capacity of the American people to embrace change from the bottom up.

The courage being displayed by white Democrats in electing Barack Obama the first black American as leader of the Democratic Party and their candidate for President of the most powerful country of the world is what will restore America’s leadership on the world stage.

Are the Guyanese people capable of doing the same, rising above their racial fears to look to the future with new leaders of integrity and hope for a better Guyana?

With the Guyanese people experiencing political fatigue and disappointment in the way things have turned out generally under successive PPP/C governments, and indeed over the last five decades, it is easy to overlook the fact that we too have our share of goodness as a people.

Distrust, deceit, disappointment, dishonesty and anger dominate our political exchanges, which have seen the country mired in social and political instability and economic stagnation.

Some analysis has determined that there is benefit to be derived from the race-based politics of Guyana. Take for example the comments made by Donald Ramotar, MP and General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) recently at their biannual congress about the AFC.

It is no accident that he sought to position AFC leader Raphael Trotman, MP as he did – having something to do with violence somewhere at sometime – thereby attempting to paint him with the brush that best emits fear, which the PPP/C has used as a tool rather successfully in retaining their East Indian support base.

Why else would he do this if his objective was nation building and the attainment of peace and harmony among our people?

Whether our religious beliefs are Christian, Hindu or Muslim, we are required to practice the proactive ‘Golden Rule’ which the principals of the AFC embrace.

• Christianity tells us in Matthew 7: V 12, “Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them”.

• Hinduism tells us in Mahabharata, Anusasana Pava 113: 8, “One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activity is due to self desire.”

• Islam teachings tell us, “Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself”.

The fact that our country is where it is today – in the doldrums – is testimony that collectively Guyanese have disregarded these crucial principles of reciprocity.

Therefore, collectively we all have to strive to turn things around by bringing out the goodness that is within the Guyanese ethos.

Without exception every political party in and out of the National Assembly has claimed to have as their objective peace and harmony among our people and national development for all; yet there has been little evidence that we’re any closer to achieving these laudable objectives.

Instead the political rhetoric on both the governing and opposition sides has maintained a high level of stridency.

Transient calculations of the effect this has had on our struggling economy suggest it to be devastating to say the least.

Examples are there for all to see in the large numbers who are unemployed, our graduates, expertise and artisans who are leaving at an accelerating rate even though they are likely to be exposed to xenophobia for seeking to thrive in another man’s land. Are we prepared to do what it takes to turn things around and provide for our people at home?

Unlike many of our compatriots, it is the belief of the members and principals of the AFC that the ability to change the current hostile political status quo exists among sufficient numbers of the Guyanese people.

So, despite the insults and hostilities directed at us for choosing such a path, the AFC maintains its message of change, healing and reconciliation that neither of the parties that governed the country over the last fifty years is willing to advance in order to create an enabling political environment upon which progress depends.

We in the AFC base our choice of methodology on the amazing human capacity for goodness that resides instinctively in the conscience of our people and reinforced by the power of the teachings of Christianity, Hinduism and Islam. That is the basis of our hope.