Guyana of old is gone forever

Feb 18, 2019 Editorial

Guyana is not in a very safe neighbourhood any longer. And though it does not help, this is neither in degree nor scale related to anything connected to the increasing hysteria surrounding upcoming national elections. Too many developments are occurring outside of its control, and with some real big people involved, with bigger visions in mind, and building capacity to be the biggest influencers and referees in the region. In sum, the most fearsome heavyweights around, and ones with which not to meddle.
There was Guyana going along and minding its own business. It was an endless succession of hazy lazy days of perpetual summer, almost like days at the beach; and with that comes immaturity and irresponsibility, along with a dogged resistance to growing up. That was the long yesterday; today is here and with jarring shocks.
What are this country’s main businesses? There was the involuntary export of its intellectual capital; there was the traditional racial discord that was and is found musical to the ears and hearts of the great mass of the populace; there was the climactic warmth of the equatorial sun, followed by the manmade heat brought about by imported, then transshipped addictive commodities; there was a certain kind of economy, a way-station and sanctuary (but now to a lesser extent) for money of a certain kind, and neither of the Laparkan nor Western Union variety to furnish momentary solace.
Except for the continuing and intensifying love-hate racial history and culture, now immovable reality, that languid, laidback, and lowdown Guyana of yore is gone. Forever. Whether liked or not, it can be kissed goodbye. At least through a nostalgic smack on both cheeks; though not quite yet a long lingering meeting of lips harmoniously fused.
Now there are too many loud-voiced, sharp-eyed, and heavily-muscled newcomers. They are from external regions, with foreign political cultures and foreign objectives. It is an illustrious band of self-proclaimed, self-authenticated warriors, a gathering of heroes, superheroes, according to them. They range from the surreal to the sinister, and are all beginning to congregate around the Northeastern tip of South America for the believed financial, political, and superpower rewards. They are worth a serious examination.
There is the leader who is all about bluster and fluster; he is the epitome of the caustic and erratic, which is trumpeted as incomparable trump cards. The adversary from the East is cold and calculating; a skilled nerveless gambler: equipped with patience, powerful determination, and a panoramic outlook. He is ambitious.
Then right here, next to Guyana stands this tempting and weak target, which happens to be a covetous neighbour. The new Guyana, of confirmed wealth and still much more unmeasured promise, is not only in the centre, but attracts its own share of calculations and strategic valuations.
Guyanese, who take a wide-lens worldview, should now understand and appreciate much more, the experiences and traumas of Mexico and Cuba. Both of those countries found themselves in a bad place and with the lamentable histories of bad neighbours. They had land and wealth; they had to get the right thinking quickly and humiliatingly; or prepare for the worst. Remember Mexico under Santa Anna? Think of how much territory was lost; and the wealth that went with that loss.
Guyanese should identify with those concerns and apprehensions (hopefully, not result). For this race-plagued society is also a mineral-infested one. It is not a feared country, even if it were to be unified; that encourages many wolves, including many local ones, for the imagined feastings.
Matters are all about them, and to hell with those who happen to be in the vicinity; or in the middle. It is just the luck of the draw; of disputed cartography; of mineral discovery and strange, ugly money. All of that should bring even less comfort to thinking, watchful Guyanese citizens; the ones who really care about this land and its destiny.

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