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Many ‘absolutely patriotic’ Guyanese find it difficult to embrace the ‘One Guyana’ outlook

Jun 05, 2022 Letters

Dear Editor,

The Vice-President recently commented that the Opposition is “very negative about everything”. He is sadly right, and this of itself is unsurprising since negativity is a worldwide Opposition approach save the fact that the Vice-President’s verbatim last word was “everything”. The use of that word might easily be dismissed by most as overkill. I do not hold that simple view.
Contrary to the belief held widely in Guyana that we are not a patriotic people, it is my conclusion from observing Guyanese whilst living in two Caribbean islands, the United Kingdom and of course my own country, and having travelled extensively in the Caribbean and Europe, that Guyanese are indeed fiercely patriotic. Decades before oil was discovered here, every Guyanese abroad has boasted about Guyana’s size and wealth in bauxite, diamonds and gold, as this was taught in school since colonial times. We also boast about the strength of Guyana’s High Wine!
The problem with our brand of patriotism is that whilst felt 100% by Guyanese, it is viewed and expressed at only 50% – mirroring for the purposes of this commentary the close majorities that usually run our Parliament. The matter in this regard that I find troubling is the way many absolutely patriotic Guyanese find it difficult to embrace the ‘One Guyana’ outlook. An outsider would immediately raise at least one eyebrow at this statement. My computer has in fact flagged an issue with the words “absolutely patriotic” being put together – but I shall ignore that. Many a Guyanese patriot will need to be persuaded to endorse ‘One Guyana’.
Our national motto is ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’. We are a country born comprising six races. All Guyanese learn early at school that we have an avaricious neighbour to our West. It does not take a professor’s academic experience to appreciate that there is strength in unity – and yet a host of unquestionably patriotic Guyanese do not welcome the President’s energy behind ‘One Guyana’. Every one of the naysayers would have actively promoted ‘One Guyana’ if the expression was coined by someone else – because they are in reality 100% patriots at heart but just 50% patriotic in expression.
During an informal conversation at State House with performers who took part in this year’s Flag Raising Ceremony held at Anna Regina for the first time to mark our 56th Anniversary of Independence, President Ali, charged those gathered to see their important role in promoting social cohesion and accelerating the ‘One Guyana’ agenda, further emphasising the importance of their sphere of endeavour by pointing out that they are working on a platform that will bring Guyana together. Artistes have an audience that comprises all Guyanese, plus fans beyond our shores as they become more versed and better marketed – and can thus deliver on this projection with the right encouragement beginning with substantial funding.
“In charting ‘One Guyana’, we will seek out those who have the credentials and are willing and ready to serve our country”. Put thus it is straightforward. There is no indication that any credentials sought are political. The President even promoted ‘One Guyana’ abroad, having the ‘One Guyana’ song played ahead of his address at the opening ceremony of Barbados’ Agrofest 2022, thereby announcing this bold patriotic stance to Caricom. Guyanese should not hold back.

Ronald Bostwick

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