Fine line between contemptuously attacking Govt. and exposing bad governance

Jan 15, 2011 Letters

---

Dear Editor
There is a fine line between exposing corruption and bad governance for the benefit of Guyanese and contemptuously attacking the Government. Constantly blaming the government will not result in any fundamental change in the life experience of the average which means most Guyanese.
In fact this only serves to inflame the presence and power of Government in most facets of our Guyanese experience, enlarge peoples’ perceived and real dependency on Government and communicate that those doing the constant blaming have no practical plan to transform the situation that necessitated the blame.
Much worse it creates an impression that the people are helpless unless the Government acts therefore reinforcing active political engagement by the masses and portraying the “blamers” as self-interested opportunists.
The Government understands that the more they are contemptuously attacked by persons who have not practically demonstrated a willingness to do better on behalf of the people, the more this raises the profile and power perception of Government. This is because not only is the government forced into a position to defend themselves and track record; they can go on the offensive and point out the visionless blaming by the blamers.
Everyday a handful of public personalities and truth be told many of us constantly blame the Government for every single thing “bad” that happens to Guyana, yet these very citizens have not collaborated to form any positive non-partisan and non-political institution or programme that promotes self-empowerment of all Guyanese.
By empowerment I mean facilitating positive mental constructs and associations pertaining to the way we think about ourselves, each other and our relationships as Guyanese.
This does not have to be done in a deliberate way, for example how difficult is it to promote the benefits of yoga in the urban wards of Georgetown or implement a programme that builds character and positive relationships based on team work, discipline and trust through inter-community sports.
Another example would be to promote summer camps where youth from various communities participate in initiatives that build trust, promote cooperation and learning fundamental life and survival skills. These and other similar initiatives are the types of cultural shocks we as Guyanese need exposure to on a daily basis so we begin to foster positive rather than negative images of ourselves and each other.
Additionally positive opportunities such as the examples given provide us with constructive platforms for strengthened empowerment instead of the negative incidents we too frequently react to.
Financially and materially many Guyanese are better off than we were 30 years ago but culturally (read our collective mentality) we are still where we were 30 years ago.
This is primarily because we have not let go of the anger, pessimism, un-forgiveness, fear and the creative ways many were forced to eke out a living under poverty and dictatorial rule during that era.
So we continue to repeat the same cycles of corruption, violence, ethnic polarization and under-performance in our homes, communities and in public spaces.
History and very recent events should have taught us that no single incident, neither the Government will empower the people of this nation to collectively act in the nation’s best interest.
It is my firm belief that Guyana needs a good dose of happiness, something to be optimistic about, something to take pride in and something that puts a smile on our faces every time we reflect upon it.
Most recently in the United States the entire country irrespective of race, status, etc. took time out to mourn, let go and move forward optimistically even though the incidence that prompted the national mourning was a reprehensible act of violence.
In Guyana we’ve had our fair share of violence that resulted in national mourning but we seem to quickly forget the lessons learned much less apply a sense of optimism and hope to these very lessons. Whether it’s the television, newspaper or in public places, the level of animosity verbally and often physically displayed by citizens and between citizens and public officials is an indicator that our culture thrives on negativism.
Last year Transparency International Guyana as well as the Multi-racial Patriotic Movement on separate occasions announced that their work would focus on facilitating a better Guyana. Let’s see how each organisation approaches its goal. I personally hope it’s not more of the same negative and unintentional opportunism that so many Guyanese by virtue of our non-participation in calls for contemptuous public protests, have become dis-tasteful of.
Being more positive and intentional in our actions to foster a better Guyana, even in the scope of public rallies is desperately needed!
R. Small

---

---