The role played by external migration and politics

Dec 12, 2021 Letters

Dear Editor,

Kaieteur News – Any serious discussion on the topic of the presence or absence of desirable role models in the various racial and ethnic communities in Guyana, must examine the role played by both external migration and politics.
External migration was most prevalent after the Second World War. The mother country was devastated and needed workers to rebuild most of its infrastructure. Labour was needed to rebuild and man its railways, doctors and nurses were needed to staff hospitals. Money was scarce and cheap labour was, thus, needed. What better place to secure such a labour force than from its colonies? Thus, migration from the colonies, especially those of Africa, India and the Caribbean, was encouraged and facilitated. This outward movement of many of our most capable residents depleted our villages and country of skilled and respected residents.
The calypsonian Dr. Wittie, who seems to have been among these early immigrants, speaks honestly and intelligently about what movement away from his village meant for the young of his village. In his song “Model citizens,” he gives us these lines:
The values instilled in me
Were never passed on and
A generation got lost
Because I big brother was gone.
Transmission of values were broken,
The criminal, the corrupted
Began to have their way,
I left the village wide open,
With no-one to raise de child.
So now I stand a conflicted man,
Because I’m a model citizen,
But in another man’s land.
It must be said that as far as the perceived or real shortage of role models in communities during the period discussed above, it was our Afro Guyanese community that was affected the most. For it was this community, in the main, that “took advantage of the ‘opportunity’ to move to the motherland. The perceived or real reduction of role models in the Indian community in significant numbers came a bit later.
There were two clear events that led to a real or perceived reduction in the amount of role models in the East Indian community. First it was with the coming of independence and the perception by East Indians that with the presence of a PNC led government their interests could not be guaranteed. This led to a very noticeable movement of well-to-do and educated East Indians out of Guyana. The second reason was politics. Dr. Cheddi Jagan seems to have had a distrust of intellectuals. One can see this by any look at how he made a number of them feel uncomfortable and marginalised in the PPP to the point that they had to leave Jagan’s party. Examples of this situation would be Chandisingh, Balramsingh Rai and Vincent Teekah (of course, there are those who will say it was ambition that led these men to leave the party). While ambition might have played a part, I do not believe it was the sole reason.
Thus, Dr. Jagan was left in the main, surrounded by mediocrity. A situation with which he seemed most comfortable (one would note how Jagdeo after cementing his leadership of the party, moved to sideline many of these less educated/competent from Cheddi’s era). It would be closer to truth to recognise that both Africans and East Indians have suffered from the loss of a larger reservoir of role models, and the reasons discussed above, at least, form part of the story of how this came to be. At the same time, it would be incorrect to say there is an absence of role models living in the various communities in Guyana. Christopher Ram and Kaieteur News’ Glenn Lall in their fight against corruption, makes them worthy role models. Nigel Hughes and Carl Greenidge as they fight to ensure the “small man’s” interest is represented. Attorney Davis James and Jean LaRose – fighting for the rights of indigenous people – are all worthy role models.
But should we limit our search for role models to those who are alive and living in our immediate environment, and of our own race or ethnic group? I think not. How could Nelson Mandela, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King junior, Marcus Garvey, Louis Tolstoy, Chekov, not be among my role models? While it is nice to have wonderful persons as part of one’s community, I urge young Guyanese to realise that God has made humans of every race, every ethnic group that you will do well to emulate. So, seek persons, who dedicate their lives to the service of the downtrodden, the disadvantaged, the voiceless of whatever race, as your role model, and you will be alright.

Yours truly,
Claudius Prince

Discover more from Kaieteur News

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Latest News