We only need to start looking at the many positives

May 25, 2019 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

This is in direct response to Hydar Ally’s letter ‘The Curse of Race remains relevant today’ which was published in your May 24th edition.
Who cares what Duncan Sands said about race in Guyana? As long as we continue to trumpet the few (if any) negatives that are associated with race instead of proclaiming the numerous, absolute positives and tremendous benefits that are at our disposal because we are multiracial/ethnic, we will never move forward!
Imagine a Guyana without Curry, Roti or Dhall. Then imagine a Guyana without Cookup, Black pudding or Pepperpot. Or think that you live in a country where you never heard the beautiful voices of Lata Mangeshkar and Mohamad Rafi or enjoyed the indigenous Chutney Music, and there was no Calypso or Reggae.
Look at what happens to Guyana at Phagwah/Holi time. This country goes into a frenzy, because we all embrace the festival. Don’t we all get that flush of pride seeing the lights and colour that come with Diwali, and embrace to message of ‘victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance’?
How could anyone live in a place that does not have and celebrate Diwali or Ramadan? Then look at what happens to our entire country when Christmas comes around. Every Guyanese, without exception, feels, embraces and shares the goodwill that comes with that season. Remember Easter? You can’t recuse yourself from flying your kite because of any type of conflict of interest, racially or ethnically. Don’t we all love it when Mashramani comes around so that we could join with our indigenous brethren to celebrate our Republican Status and enjoy ourselves after a year of cooperative work?
We not only have to understand, but we must be mature enough to admit to ourselves (and to our little ones) that our lives are enriched by our racial and ethnic differences. Our beautiful country is truly blessed to be populated with so many beautiful races and ethnicities. We only need to start looking at the many positives that they bring and stop harping on the few, if any, negatives that might not truly exist.
Pure Guyanese

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