Dear Editor,
This Friday America celebrates her 238th anniversary of independence. Guyanese-Americans have become part and parcel of the society and are celebrating the holiday as part of their own, as they should. So Guyana’s independence has now taken second fiddle in their newly adopted homeland. They have become Americans while still retaining the hyphen Guyanese.
The July 4th holiday weekend is now internalized in the collective psyche of Guyanese. They observe the holiday tradition with travel, barbecues, picnics, cricket, etc. They are into the parades and the shopping, in similar fashion to Mothers’ Day, Fathers’ Day, Children’s Day, Friendship Day, Valentine’s Day, etc.
The United States of America is unique among the nations of the world in celebrating, as the date of its independence, a philosophical event. No other day is celebrated with so much fanfare and no other nation assigns so many rights to its citizens. It signifies the rights and freedoms that people have and that the state cannot deny them. People have a right to live their life as they see fit, providing they are not violating the rights of others. The state does not discriminate against others. Everyone has an equal opportunity. The role of government is to protect the individual to enjoy his/her rights. July 4 is associated with the American dream and part of that dream is that America is the land of the free. For almost every immigrant, July 4 has meant opportunities to lead a more prosperous life. July 4 means freedom and an opportunity to pursue one’s goals (with limited inhibitions) and to realize dreams (a car, home, higher education, good standard of living, etc) that are virtually impossible in one’s homeland. It is not surprising, therefore, that every Caribbean immigrant is glad and grateful to come to America. But it is essential that people act responsibly in enjoying these freedoms. They should think of what it means to live in America.
As it is for other nations, Independence Day is the foundation of America and is the most celebrated of America’s festivals. On July 4, 1776, some 232 long years ago, the thirteen British colonies in America united with one another and signalled to the world that they had broken away from England and formed their own nation – the colonies would no longer be under foreign subjugation. The Declaration of Independence would later on pave the way for millions, including Guyanese (who came much later than other immigrant groups), to come and settle in the US to experience the American dream. Guyanese I spoke with are grateful to America for accepting them. They will not trade their new American status for anything. They are now patriotic Americans.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
not all guyanese take 4th of july seriously me for one it’s just another day for me and for people to spend more money they don’t have.
Bisram answer Freddie Kisson about your credentials as a Pollster. Leave USA business for a while and respond to Kissoon. If you remain silent you would lose your credibility.
He has already lost credibility, by his avoiding the questions and writing more self serving letters.
I don’t know of one “flag waving”, “anthem” singing GT bana…all we do is tek a day to relax from the “rat race.”
I know a ton of GT people that go to the various GT independence activities in May every year (especially the big events in Atlanta). So Vishnu, ah don’t know who u refering to as “patriotic Americans” . I also know plenty GT people that if dey salary could me matched in GT, and the Crime issue resolve- they would be on the first flight back. So stop painting everybody with a broad brush!
I am ready for that day my friend but it looks like me and my generation after me ,will be longing for that day too Until those that are in power die out then maybe we stand a chance.
You know, this Bisram guy is really funny!
Somehow, America has become the country we have to learn about, not the country that every cricket on earth already knows about, so much so that most nations, including Guyana, and especially the Guyanese in the USA, lament American’s influence on our Television screens, on the backs and feet of our children and in our stomachs, in some cases, whether we like it or not.
Now we suck our teeth when we hear Guyanese in Guyana buying turkeys to celebrate Thanksgiving and having Holoween parties.
Bisram, have you ever heard of Habeas Corpus or Jose Padilla or of the Fisa Courts that is lying more idle these days than busy? How about the very many components of the Partiot Act we still worry about?
Right now the debate in Congress as to whether we should be giving these telephone companies immunity because they cooperated with the govt to illegally listen into our telephone conversation without authorisation from the Fisa Courts.
You remember why Alberto Gonsalez was forced to resign? How many US District Attorneys were involved? How and when Scooter Libby was pardoned or Valery Plame was outed? Need I go on?
Guyanese celebtrate Jul 4th in America, like most Americans, we fire up the BBQ grill, get out the beers and other “refreshments” and enjoy the day-off from work. And our guests, have to pass those cars in the driveway, all with a Guyanese flag hanging in front. And if you listen very carefully, if you’re unlucky, one or two people may be commenting on Jagdeo’s widening bald-spot at the top of his head. If that makes us patriotic Americans, then I guess we are!
Gap 1
Boy are you fired up again, we also need to pay attention to a law that they sneaked in on us in congress. This law states that if anyone should decide to return home to their country after working and acquireing assets in the USA, then they must pay a heavy tax penalty on the assets.
So, there goes our plan to sell the house and car before returning home. Just give them all back to Uncle Sam and return with your shirt on your back.
Joe.
This is definitely another questionable poll coming from our number one pollster judging from the number of dissenting responses. Guyanese in the US are patriotic Americans? Please. I am only excited about Easter and Christmas over here and same goes for many of my friends. Only the kids who went to school here are caught up in the activities. Where is Mr. Bisram getting his numbers?
Hi Bob, How ya doin’? (Salt-water Yankee accent)
Wow! And this I didn’t know about!
Is this true? I am hungry! Feed me more data!