What is this National Unity of which we speak?

Nov 18, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – A recently aired GlobeSpan24X7 programme discussed ‘Leadership and Politics in Guyana Past & Present’. The presenters were Ralph Ramkarran, SC, former Speaker of the National Assembly and Hamilton Green, former Mayor of Georgetown. The discussion evolved around a mix of race and politics with national unity taking centre stage.
Guyanese are not unfamiliar with the narratives on each issue. We are bombarded with information and misinformation about them on a daily basis. The GlobeSpan discussants kept circling back to the same issues over and over but with stark differences in opinion. In the circumstances, a keen listener would be tempted to ponder whether humans should enjoy or regret having differences in opinion. Regrettably, the narratives did not build on what was already written or spoken about on the three issues historically or contemporarily. On the contrary, the discussion was characterised by a regurgitation of the old, hackneyed shibboleths.
For the umpteenth time, the question of national unity came across as the favourite perceptual illusion with an ambiguous image. To listeners, national unity appeared to be an abstract notion with no connection to uplifting the lives of Guyanese. It was as if water was being poured on a duck’s back. But the irony of this situation is that the records of both the PPP and PNC on the question of national unity speak for themselves.
What is this national unity we speak about? Is it the surreal ‘coming together’ of the PPP and PNC in some imaginary structural form and/or shape? Or will it be based on uncannily prescient policies and values?
In considering either of the two scenarios hypothetically, would that ‘coming together’ signify the consummation of national unity? Thus far, the call for national unity appears to be a romanticised appeal to rouse national sentiments amongst the populace. It certainly does not put bread on the table nor money in anyone’s pocket. What is the pathway to the national unity we speak of and write about? Is there more than one pathway, if so, which pathway is the preferred one?
In any event, how convinced are we that national unity is the solution to Guyana’s problems? Are there inherent dangers, real or imagined, on the road to national unity? If so, what are they? Why national unity and to what end? Is it because it is politically correct and attractive to call for it? Would Guyanese be better off or worst under conditions of national unity? Will national unity result in a win-win, a win-lose or lose-lose outcome for any of the protagonists? What happens in the absence of national unity? Will Guyana be considered a failed state? Or will Guyanese nevertheless achieve their goals, knowing that goals are politically inspired depending on what class or social strata holds the reigns of political power?
At any rate, the call for national unity has become hollow and meaningless to ordinary Guyanese, since at the political, much less, social levels, there are no coincidences in policies, beliefs, thoughts nor opinions amongst those who engage in its advocacy. This begs the question whether any logical space exists in Guyana’s extant body politic to accommodate national unity in form and content? Thus far, there are no footprints indicating that we are headed in the direction towards national unity. And if there were footprints, they have long faded. Suffice it to say that there were two bright spots in two separate and distinct periods in our country’s political history when relative national unity prevailed. That was sixty-eight years ago in the 1950-1953 periods and forty-five years ago in 1974-1976 periods. The two protagonists of national unity at that time were Forbes Burnham who died thirty-six years ago, and Cheddi Jagan who died twenty-four years ago.
Any discussion on national unity in today’s context would require a meeting of minds by the political parties and non-state actors. But their respective track records on the subject should be scrutinised, and a commitment given to deepen the discussion in order to provide Guyanese with a more enlightened understanding of the true nature of the national unity we seek, and that it is not a utopia.
In the circumstances, no one narrative should take precedence over another. We need to find ways to openly discuss the issues and balance different values in our plural society. A more integrated, inclusive thinking on all sides could prove helpful.

Yours faithfully,
Clement J. Rohee

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