Does the diaspora refer to only Guyanese in New York?

Apr 23, 2016 Letters

Dear Editor,
It was with some surprise and a great deal of puzzlement that I read in a recent letter of the Coalition Government’s promise during the election campaign to “create a Diaspora Department and appoint a Member of Parliament for Diaspora affairs”. Others in the UK feel the same. To us, the diaspora should help their country of origin – always, without any thought of obvious reward.
We have come to the conclusion that “the Diaspora” is seen mainly, if not exclusively, as Guyanese people now resident in America, usually in New York, who made a significant contribution to the Coalition’s success at the recent polls and now expect their reward in what they see as “payback time”. What a sad, selfish world we live in if we are in a position to give but would not give freely, without thought of “what’s in it for me”?
Finally, we have “….. Guyanese in the Diaspora are simply tired of being disrespected and are fed-up of the phoniness shown to them by the government……”. Does this mean that, in a temper tantrum, the ‘diaspora’ will throw their rattle and toys out of the pram and remain in an indefinite sulk? Regarding ourselves as part of the diaspora, our contacts in the UK are perplexed, but determined to maintain our sense of humour. Perhaps this is a ‘distance thing’ – being further away and not so emotionally involved, we hope all will be resolved soon.
Geralda Dennison

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