A Call for PEACE amidst the PIECES

Sep 12, 2020 Letters

DEAR EDITOR,

It is plain to see One Nation, One People, One Destiny may never be a reality.
Based on the current mayhem and civil unrest in Guyana, following the senseless killings of Isaiah and Joel Henry, and Haresh Singh, the words of a well-known song titled: FOR WHAT IT’S WORTH by American singer, song-writer, Bruce Springsteen, immediately springs to mind.
There’s somethin’ happenin’ here
But what it is ain’t exactly clear
There’s a man with a gun over there
A-tellin’ me I got to beware
I think it’s time we stop
Children, what’s that sound?
Everybody look what’s going down
There is absolutely no need for an analysis of the situation, in fact it is too late for anything except a clarion call requesting that the citizens of Guyana undergo thorough self-examination and soul searching, using mirrors as accessories of prime importance. Until such an act is completed, any hope for an alleviation of the situation would be totally pointless, if not ridiculously absurd. No one is exempt from the exercise– youth leaders, political heads, spiritual leaders, teachers, clergy, police, justice system, etc.
It is blatantly apparent that the ongoing disturbance in various parts of the country did not suddenly flare up, but instead loomed on the horizon, patiently waiting for any cue. Arguably, the teenagers did not deserve to die in the brutal manner in which they did, or to have their bodies mutilated. Notwithstanding, they have paid the ultimate price, internecine though it has been, for the deep seated hatred, and ethnic rift that has proliferated over the years.
I have previously raised the question(s), albeit valiantly suffered the consequences for so doing, but will raise it yet again—What example are we showing the young? What will we bequeath to the succeeding generations?
If the recent killings of the two teenagers in Cotton Tree could be classified as not being racially motivated, it nevertheless acted as a carburant for several issues, chief among them being race, inadequate leadership, absence of conflict resolution skills on the part of the Police Force and many more issues. The racial divide cannot be allowed to continue unchecked, as it does not augur progress. The time has come for Guyana to face her main demon, as it has once again returned, seemingly never ever fully extinguished.
Remediation and rectification must start immediately. There is no need for any finger pointing, blame going, or flame throwing. We have all contributed in one way or another to the present demise facing the country during this pandemic era. The killings have opened previous wounds; wounds that Guyana must ensure are well examined and effectively sutured to avert any likely re-opening in the future.
Conversely the country has not fully recovered from the brouhaha, carryings-on and eventual outcome of the recent election. Nevertheless, I am operating from an angle of heightened optimism that the country can emerge from this current shadow that hangs menacingly over the citizens, and progress into the illumination of betterment for all.
Another stanza in the song by Bruce Springsteen says thus:
What a field day for the heat
A thousand people in the street
Singing songs and carrying signs
Mostly say hooray for our side
So let us change the beat, unblock the streets, give the protests a rest and be our collective best.
Put Race in its place and unite in the Fight, to ensure that peace is enjoyed by all Guyanese.
On Colour or Creed we must no longer feed.
One People, One nation, One Destiny must become the true and living reality.

Yvonne Sam

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