Strangers in this strange land

Aug 11, 2019 Countryman

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By Dennis Nichols

Our country seems headed for the proverbial paradigm shift in the next 12 months or so. A relatively new social culture could be in the making, reshaping demographics and revising the way we think about ourselves and those who visit our shores or seek permanent residence here. With the exception of native Amerindians, none of us was here 500 years ago – a blip in time. Like those whom some of us now seek to malign and misrepresent, we were strangers in this indisputably strange land.
Traverse the length and breadth of Guyana – from Kaituma to Konashen; Rose Hall to Roraima, radiating like spokes from Georgetown’s hub, and you’ll get the feel of our people. We’re said to be a nation of six peoples – Amerindian, African, East Indian, Chinese, Portuguese/European, and ‘Mixed’, the last of these comprising a blend of two or more of the other ethnic groups. Despite the motley mix, sporadic noxious racism and subtle class distinctions, we got along fairly well. And despite the warnings of the naysayers and alarmists, we still do.
Guyana is also, as many have observed, a paradox of a land, underscored by the huge gap between potential and poverty. Many of us who felt the pangs of the latter, forsook our native land and headed north, even if it was only to a Caribbean neighbour; but more likely than not to an ABC country – America, Britain, and Canada.
We worked and sacrificed, endured shame and contempt, even from our CARICOM siblings, hustling, huckstering, and haggling for hard-earned dollars, many of which came back here to help our families. We still do. But things are changing, and Guyana is now a haven of sorts for some of those same neighbours.
Should we turn them away? Should we eye them with distrust? Should we remind them of our own insoluble problems of corruption and mismanagement? Should we tell them that, in the immortal/immoral words of Mr. Trump, this is a country comparable to an outlet for human waste?
Only the third point may have the slightest merit, and they probably know that already. And I can’t for the life of me imagine why any intelligent Guyanese would endorse Donald Trump’s foul definition of certain countries as applicable to Guyana. I would deem it almost a form of intellectual treason, whereby, in the words of French philosopher Alain Finkielkraut, “… hatred of culture itself becomes a part of culture…”
Sure, our country is hurting. Some of our politicians and many of our people are suspicious, angry, and scared. Our main political parties and their followers seem to be giving only lip service to inclusivity and national unity. The approaching elections could see the kind of racism and bullyism that should have been dead and buried by now. But people are people, some are ‘sheeple’, and Guyanese have been prone to propaganda and tribalism since, in my estimation, the early nineteen-sixties. So, what’s new? Well, oil, and a host of foreign faces.
Our land of six peoples and races now displays a richer mix of ethnicities, nationalities, and tongues, in the capital city, and also in rural and hinterland locales. Americans, Chinese, Venezuelans, Brazilians, Dominicanos, and lately Haitians, are making Guyana an investment site, shopping mall, tourist attraction, in transit zone and temporary domicile, all rolled into one. We should be both skeptical and grateful. By the end of next year, we will have turned a new and unpredictable page in our short history as a (hopefully) still independent nation.
A few days ago, I strolled along Water Street, and later Regent Street, in the vicinity of the Stabroek and Bourda Markets. I felt overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of people engaged and absorbed in life and living; some no doubt simply surviving, amidst all the vivacity and clamour of human interaction.
Near Big Market, vendors, shoppers, police officers, and foreigners, converged and mingled with little distinction of race, class, or nationality. At Bourda Market, it was more of the same. At a snackette on Robb Street, I heard a man speak, and readily recognised his accent as Haitian. I suggested this and he confirmed it. I smiled and gave him a thumbs-up. I’d known too many hard-working and courteous Haitians in The Bahamas to do otherwise.
It is fascinating to see how quickly the majority of Guyanese appear to have accepted and befriended the influx of foreigners to our shores, especially those from Brazil, Venezuela, and Cuba. It’s not too surprising though, since citizens from the first two share cross-border economic and cultural traits with our hinterland residents, while the third has had a long and beneficial relationship with us, politically and professionally.
An easy but sometimes low-key camaraderie is evident. With respect to Dominicanos and Haitians, I’m almost certain that for the most part, similar sentiments will be shared. It’s just how we are.
Xenophobia is not a nice word for human beings (unless an alien horde has observable intent to harm a powerless people) mainly because it embraces prejudice. The recent outcry in some quarters against Haitians in our country, though not openly xenophobic, smacks of that very prejudice. Obviously if they are coming here to be registered and to vote as Guyanese citizens without following the requisite procedures, that’s a problem, not only for the political opposition, but for all of us who strive to uphold the rule of law. I am one.
To the best of my knowledge though, this is not the case with Haitians or any other foreign group. Yet, I am not naïve enough to believe it cannot happen, on either side of the political wall. If anyone has irrefutable evidence of such a scheme, or any other injurious to our country’s interest, (key words irrefutable and injurious) that evidence should be brought to light and dealt with according to law.
As can be seen from recent developments, and contrary to what some think, we do have a degree of judicial independence, all the way to the Caribbean Court of Justice. In the absence of such evidence, for goodness’ sake, leave the Haitians alone.
A word of caution: Many Americans believe that Donald Trump’s disparaging remarks about Hispanic ‘migrants’ at the country’s southern border, and his use of the word ‘invasion’ to describe their attempts to enter the country, may have been partly or directly responsible for the recent El Paso shooting that left 22 persons dead. Prejudicial words and tone may suggest action and lead to uncalled-for violence.
Compared to Haiti and most of the Caribbean islands, Guyana is huge in size, and small in population. We’ll have room for more people as the oil deal works to our advantage; as we revamp our infrastructure and apply new technologies. We still have bountiful natural resources, but not enough human ones. Foreign investment is necessary, and does not exclude human resources from outside our country. Ask China and ExxonMobil.
Foreigners, including Haitians, do not have to be a burden. They can be a boon. We Guyanese just have to get our act together. Remember, most of us were once strangers in this strange land.

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper)

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