We have willingly embraced many aspects of life in North America it was not imposed upon us

Oct 30, 2010 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The notion of Guyanese being ‘Americanized’ is always expressed with a negative connotation attached.
In reality, Guyanese are fortunate indeed to have been privy to the exposure to the American culture and Westernized traditions that many of us are so accustomed to today.
When we talk about Guyana becoming ‘Americanized’, we should remember that this was not imposed upon us as a people, nor did it force its way in our lives.
We willingly embraced many aspects of life that our North American friends have lived and are living; there’s no question about it.
We have their clothes, foods, designs, attitudes and behaviours, technology and so much more. Our daily lives are heavily influenced by what happens in America and to a lesser extent, Canada.
The news there affects us, and the election (including the one that takes place next week) affects us.
We adjust our daily schedules twice per year after Daylight Savings Time begins and ends because we do not want to miss our favourite TV shows.
We salivate over daytime soap operas, game shows and are addicted to the music, yes, this most important aspect of American culture ultimately defines who many people become and can even dictate their philosophy in life.
We are obsessed with their gadgets: the Apple Phone; I-Pods; MP3 and MP4 Players; Flat-screen TV’s; labour-saving devices, etc.
American people (Canada too) have very special family holidays. These holidays to which I am referring specifically emphasise the value of family, sharing, and for the children, one of them is a time for good, clean fun.
Thanksgiving and Halloween are two primary festivals that are celebrated by our Northern neighbours that bring the family unit closer.
The need for a group of people to take time off to give thanks to family, friends and the Creator for a blest year is exactly what this nation wants.
No, we do not need Thanksgiving Day for those things to happen, but there should be a national day set apart for families to bond and deepen ties, to talk about things instead of taking action which sometimes often leads to violent behaviours.
Today, people are not talking about their grievances, rather they are taking it upon themselves to act out and destroy lives in the process.
What do families do today that fosters bonding and spending quality time with each other? They go to chutney concerts, exhibitions that have become too redundant, comedy shows and watch television (what they watch is another story). Most of these habits do nothing for the body and mind and are even unhealthy (especially what TV has become today).
We have corporate Guyana funding dance-hall shows in prime time hours on television, with lewd dancing and vulgar exposures; that’s what television and even viewers have been bowing to these days.
The family is suffering because of these external elements that destroy our societal fabric.
It is leading us nowhere. I am seeing it being manifested within our school system. Who are we putting out there into the society a few years from now?
A day of thanksgiving can bring our thoughts and feelings full circle to appreciate the gift of family and all resources around us.
Then what is life without a little fun for our children. The Halloween celebrations in North America and a few other places around the world bring so much joy and foster social interaction among children, and I daresay some adults too.
Adults have become engrossed so much into this festival of spooks and frights. Halloween does remind us about mortality and what is to come at the end of all our lives.
The holiday has roots in Celtic tradition and has become a secular tradition even though many have juxtaposed it alongside the Christian observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2.
Halloween and Thanksgiving may never find a place among our Guyanese culture, I am sure of it. Like on so many other issues, Guyanese are not prepared to be more opened to be bold enough to experience new things. Some of us are so accustomed to doing things one way that we lock the windows of our lives, blocking fresh air and sunlight that so badly wants to enter.
No we do not have to adapt every aspect of the American culture. We are a Guyanese people and nothing can take away our distinct identity as a Caribbean people.
These two celebrations should be placed on our national calendar of activities.
But the chances are slim. We are not a people that are opened to change. And we know how far that has gotten this nation given our history.
Leon Suseran

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