A house divided against itself cannot stand

Mar 31, 2019 Eye on Guyana with Lincoln Lewis, Features / Columnists

The General and Regional Elections which are to date scheduled to be held in 2020, require young blood and new thinking to play a more leading role in taking this nation into what will inevitably be new economic frontiers and development. Young people account for approximately two-thirds of the population, and it does not bode well to exclude them from the political decision-making table.
Today, the majority of news that make reference to the political leadership centres around who is seeking power or wants to retain it, at a critical time when there is an invasion by external groups to exploit our natural resources, primarily gold, oil and gas.
Years ago, the late Clarence Ellis related a story to me which I’ll never forget. He recounted a visit with Forbes Burnham to the Essequibo Coast on a meet-the-people exercise. A rally was scheduled during this exercise and though the rain poured the crowd came. Clarence said he told Burnham, “Chief, these people really love you,” only to be told by Burnham, “Clarence, it is not about them loving me. They recognised the value of state power and how this can work for their advantage.”
The Burnham/Ellis’ incident tells of people’s expectation and the premium they place on deliveries. Burnham was an astute politician, hence it wasn’t lost on him that his relationship with the people was transactional foremost. For their votes, the office he held, and being paid by them came with expectations. The moral of this story is of no lesser importance to the one hereunder.
Where it could be said or seen leaders are engaging in active outreach to woo the support of others yet at the same time ignoring or putting systems in place to sideline those within, such acts cannot work to the party’s benefit. When one chooses to associate, it is not without expectation for respect, inclusion and needs being met. Most importantly, a house divided against itself cannot stand.
The growth of any organisation not only relies on attracting new cadre, but also retaining the current flock, or some would say the diehards. It is this group that can be relied upon at the most difficult of times, to do the spade work, to stand up and defend the integrity/history of the institution at all cost. It is a group whose sustainability needs the input of the young.
In this period, as a strategic demographic, they come with an inherent advantage. Often optimistic about life and more inclined to take risks, they seek new frontiers. The older generation may take issue with some aspect of youthful conduct or feel they should wait their turn, but optimism and dare could be seen as assets to unleash about new thinking, new ways of doing things and new outlook on life. Change is inevitable.
As we of the older generation could recall, in younger days our seniors harboured some reservations, but still took a chance on us. They allowed us to lead, to explore, make mistakes, carve new pathways and actively participate in shaping the future. For instance, in 1905 Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow was 21 years old when he organised dockworkers to take industrial action for better wages and improved working conditions. In 1953, Burnham was 30 years old and the Minister of Education in our first government. Eusi Kwayana as a minister was in his 20s and Cheddi Jagan as Premier was 35.
None of the stated leaders waited for leadership to be given to them. They noted the events of their time and took the proverbial bull by the horns. Undoubtedly mistakes were made, but hadn’t they ventured out, we could have been passive participants of history and not moulders of our destiny.
Our history has shown successes were realised each time we took a chance on ourselves and fellowman. Our diversity was always a pivotal force, uniting against systems that oppressed us or those who exhibited objectives dissimilar to ours. With the singleness of purpose, we repelled the economic-political systems of slavery, indentureship and colonial domination. Though these were toppled, other forms are rising. If we are not careful, the nitpicking, infighting and exclusion could cause Guyana to lose corn and husk
For this country to move forward requires leaders not merely on the premise of age, but also based on thinking and ability, and youth is not without the latter two. Conversations about inclusivity must respect the value of youth having a meaningful role in political and other organisations. All are needed to build Guyana, and all must be included in the process.

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A house divided against itself cannot stand

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