Our political actors have read and learnt the script of our colonial masters well

Sep 23, 2015 Letters

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Dear Editor,
The International Day of Peace, sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on 21 September. It is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982, and is kept by many nations, including political and military groups. In 2013, for the first time, the Day was dedicated by the Secretary-General of the United Nations to peace education, the key preventive means to reduce war sustainably.
To inaugurate the day, the United Nations Peace Bell is rung at UN Headquarters in New York City. The bell is cast from coins donated by children from all continents except Africa, and was a gift from the United Nations Association of Japan, as “a reminder of the human cost of war”; the inscription on its side reads, “Long live absolute world peace”.
I believe it must be stated that the pursuit for total and complete peace is indeed very ambitious. Ambitious because we live in a world with people of varying beliefs and strong convictions that are rooted in the DNA of their philosophical thoughts that give directions to their actions—actions that at times may bring about violence that ultimately threatens peace either in the home, community, country or among nations.
This quest for absolute peace however, is one that citizens of the world must never relent in pursuing.
It was Nelson Mandela who once said and I quote
‘No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.’
This quotation is one in which I endeavour to premise my presentation. Guyana, our beautiful country is very unique in many ways and its uniqueness is one I would like to categorize as a blessing.
We are a nation that is blessed with six peoples of different beliefs, culture, customs and practices all blended together to form a unique people we call Guyanese.
It is our differences that make us an exclusive and exceptional grouping of people in the Caribbean region, in South America and I dare to say the rest of the world. These differences should not divide us but rather unite us like different pieces of a puzzle coming together to form a beautiful picture of one people, in one nation with one destiny.
The quest to achieve this peace, which coincides with the theme for international Day of Peace 2015 “Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All” is one that requires the genuine involvement of all stakeholders, in all sectors of Guyana.
For far too long we have allowed the political players of the land to hoodwink and bamboozled us like our colonial masters into believing that some of us are better and more special than the other. It is this belief some of us fall victims to, that continues to divide us even today. Our political actors have read and learn the script of our colonial masters so well, that it has now become their play book and they use it so skilfully that they have succeeded in spewing “race hate” and division among Guyanese brothers, sisters and their children. How long will Guyanese allow themselves to fall prey to this “divide and rule” play? When will we realise we need each other to coexist in this society? When will we come to the realisation that for Guyana to reach its developmental apex, all Guyanese people have to play its part?
It is in this regard I am of the firm conviction that our religious, political, civic, business, NGOs, but most importantly the education sector, must take the lead in creating an environment of peace and social cohesion.
If Guyana is to become a safe and peaceful community where its citizens and businesses can strive, then the business of education in our nation must have a different approach. The role of education is one in which we must have, as his Excellency David Granger posits, an “Education Nation”. Education as it is must surpass its primary role and function of teaching our children how to read, write and count.
Education in our country, that is so diverse in our people, culture, religion and moreover our way of life, must play a more
significant and pivotal role in leading the path towards building a culture of peace among all our citizens.
Education must inculcate mutual respect and tolerance for others in our communities, townships, regions and all of Guyana where our citizens exist irrespective of our differences. It must be used as a tool to help create a more just, peaceful and inclusive society for us as Guyanese to live.
Education of peace must be the process of acquiring values, knowledge and develop attitudes, skills and behaviours to live in a harmony with oneself, with others and the natural environment where we all exist.
One Love, Salaam Alaikum, Shalom, Shanti, One Love
Happy belated International Day of Peace to all.
Jermaine Figueira

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