One People and One Nation with One Destiny - Stella Ramsaroop

(Originally published in the Guyana Gazette on 01 Dec 2005)

If there is one thing Guyanese love to do above all else, it is to analyse the political state of the country. No doubt there has been enough commentary written on the political culture of Guyana to fill the bookshelves of some of the largest of libraries in the world.

We pick apart the smallest action, or inaction, of the various politicians of the country. We dissect policies and procedures, comparing each to how things were done in the past and to similar thoughts in other parts of the world. And we meticulously watch every movement made by our leaders for a sign – any sign – of goodness and integrity.

However, all of this is done through very sceptical eyes because Guyanese do not trust their politicians – and for good reason. We carefully scrutinise even the most miniscule position taken by a party, because we know there must be some sinister motive driving their decision.

Why do Guyanese spend so much of their time analysing the political culture of their country? Because of an undying hope that perhaps they can help find the cure for Guyana’s many woes. To an outsider, this may seem like a futile effort, but to a Guyanese, this is a lifeline to possibility. Each commentator writes with the hope that he or she can pen the words that will end the long reign of despair and futility in their country.

It seems Guyanese have a long history of trusting the wrong leaders and the very few times when we are blessed with a leader who actually cares about the people, we cannot seem to bring ourselves to trust him or her. There can be very little doubt that we are indeed a dysfunctional people.

The constant economic decline, incessant crime sprees and entrenched corruption has caused Guyanese to scamper to other countries by the tens of thousands. Each son and daughter of Guyana who leaves their homeland behind for safer and more prosperous shores takes a part of Guyana with them. However, each one of them also leaves a big part of their heart in their beloved Guyana.

Many long for the day when they can return to their homeland. But that day has been very long in coming. In fact, the first generation to leave the country are now aging beyond the point of making such a drastic move again – even if the country did turn around in the next five years. So there is a whole generation of Guyanese who will never be able to return to their homeland.

This is the same remarkable generation that started this legacy of relentless critical analysis, which is a necessary function even if it does seem to be a bit abnormal. It is a protective measure against the wiles of scheming politicians with selfish ambition as their primary agenda. Therefore, we continue to write, dissect and analyse every little move of Guyana’s politicians with the hope of one day finding the cure for our homeland.

As a result, some hopeful Diaspora and a few brave souls who continue the good fight on Guyana’s soil have come together to follow the legacy of critical analysis and have given birth to The Guyana Gazette.

There is a passion that flows from the hearts of Guyana’s citizens and its Diaspora. There is a passionate love, a passionate loyalty and a passionate desire to see Guyana reach its full potential. It is this same passion that can act as a catalyst to usher in significant change and end the desperate times in the country once and for all.

There is a certain unseen, yet very distinguishable, signature imprinted on the soul of each and every Guyanese that does not seem to fade with time or distance. This is the mark of a great people – a strong and patient people with enduring faith and boundless hope.

Though the struggle may be long, and though their faith has been tested time and again by treachery and betrayal, the faith does not grow faint. Instead, these people grow even more determined to fashion their nation into a unified and progressive country.

For as long as the Guyanese hold firm to their faith, there will always be hope for Guyana and maybe, just maybe, one day the thousands of Diaspora flung far and wide will come back and stand together as One People and One Nation with One Destiny.