Dear Editor,
Now that the US presidential and other elections are over for this American election cycle, Guyanese Americans need to review their participation and in-volvement in the process. Although there was a lot of excitement over the presidential candidate, and justifiably so, I did not observe a lot of involvement in getting out the votes for their candidate.
Politics is not a spectator sport; one cannot stay on the sidelines and expect positive results.
Involvement is important in order to receive better representation from elected officials.
And involvement requires more than simple registration and voting (although those two steps are crucial and must be undertaken even if nothing else is attempted). Guyanese should consider volunteering for campaigns and become donors to candidates so that they wield influence the way South Asian Indians and Israelis or other groups do.
In America, money talks. Big organizations also wield political clout.
So Guyanese organizations should consider forming a federation to speak with American politicians with a strong voice.
Next year, there will be mayoral elections in NY. Guyanese need to start preparing themselves to become involved in the process.
Since the 1980s, I have volunteered for the campaigns of many politicians, including the first African American NY Mayor David Dinkins and the first African American President-elect Barack Obama.
While others were cheering on the sidelines, I was working the phone, through my teachers’ union, or handing out palm cards, etc, imploring people to vote for Obama in battleground states.
Guyanese-Americans need to become more actively involved in the political process if they want their voices heard.
Yours faithfully,
Vishnu Bisram
well said. so how will all of this connect? .
Yes i think the Guyanese Americans can learn from the US experience from the recent MAKING of history with the election of Obama for president because America had show the world that they had grown in maturity and leave race and color behind. (That is more the young generation ) but the those from the old school / 19 century are still having the same old mentality So i think that the Young Guyanese Americans who have experience the election in the US with Obama can be more open and ready to enter into the Guyanese Politics…
lONG LIVE THE NEW GENERATION FREE OF ANY STAIN OF RACISM AND CORRUPTION OF THE PAST.
21 CENTURY. Man for changes!!
I have said this before and I am saying it again that Guyanese American (who were alive at the time) have already experienced the President-elect OBAMA effect through non other than the L. F. S. Burnham; and, if anything it is for countries like Brazil with the largest African population outside of Africa to now experience this effect. And, with regards to all the above there is an overarching issue to be understood at all times and in particular now that we are “in the midst of what some are calling the greatest global economic crisis in a century” then – the Clinton Administration’s Campaign Slogan would have said it best; and that is it is always going to be – It’s The Economy Stupid!
“It’s The Economy Stupid” (in quotation marks) instead of It’s The Economy Stupid (without the quotation marks). Thanks.
What percentage of Vishnu Bisram’s survey shows Guyanese are not engaged in the political process in America?
Let’s get real and understand that Guyanese live in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Kentucky, Virginia, Maryland, Washington D.C., Sotuh Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Texas, California, Okalhoma, Chicago, and so on and so forth.
Did Bisram talk with Guyanese ian all these states to arrive at his suggestion, or is he merely wasting his time, as usual, waxing rhetorical?
Bisram, I was born and raised on the Essequibo Coast and I’ve been living in Maryland for almost 30 years. I have been actively participating in local and national elections since 1984 and I have never seen or heard of you or any other Guyanese or West Indian or whoever coming around knocking on doors or hanging around polling places taking the kind of surveys you talk about. Something in your letter makes me suspect that your remarks are based entirely on your Queens/New York observations. I would hope that you’re not using one area west of the Van Wyck as your guage of the entire US.
True Dat ! Vishnu Bisram cares about East Indians as, from his letters, they are “the Guyanese” as far as he and his kind are concerned. He wants to elect an East Indian of Guyanese decent to high office of state. The only way he can do that, comfortably, is to marshal the ertire Guyanese community for that purpose.
Then, you will hear the cry : “we came as servants, but now we are kings and queens.”
Mr. Bisram, I am American. I identify with everything American from religion, customs, habits, education system and all that tends. I don’t need any Guyanese American to champion my rights. Johnny come lately, professional student .
In response to “Uncle Joe.” You said that and I quote “since 1984 I have been actively participating in local and national elections and have never seen or heard of you or any other Guyanese or West Indian or whoever coming around knocking on doors or hanging around polling places taking the kind of surveys you talk about”. Well, let me correct you on this. You must be living in a city where no Guyanese or West Indian participate in any Election campaign.I find that hard to believe.Congrats for being the only one who actively participates. I live in Miami Florida and along with a great number of fellow West Indians volunteered our rear ends off in this past election. We knocked on doors, stood by street corners with signs, took the elderly folks to polling centers, made hundreds of phone calls, sometimes using our own phones to call voters.In fact one of the campaign offices was a building donated by a Haitian business man and his wife, who also volunteered long hours. I also know of fellow Guyanese in places like Huston, who made the trip by bus to Ohio just to campaign for our President Elect. So my friend, don’t knock the writer down if he is making a claim, for it might very well be true………This is not the time for us to be airing how much we did but, to continue giving our President Elect and his family our full support. I just wanted you and the readers to know that your accusations are unfounded.In response to the writer, I do agree that Guyanese throughout the USA, not only in NY should become more actively involved in the political process if they want their voices heard. In response to ANDY. Yes we have Guyanese living all over the USA. My question is, How many of them are actively involve in politics from County to Congress level? Can any of you out there e-mail me the statistics?
Vishnu Bisram is only speaking for him self and his Queens Clans he dont make no sence , just a wast of time.
What is the point of the article? It is clear. No hidden motives. Bisram wants Guyanese to participate fully in American elections. And, to model his own performance. He volunteered for the Obama campaign. He made phone calls, knocked on doors etc. Said this – claimed this in two published letters now.
How can you fault and criticise this guy for anything?
Then you have to ask: Is this the same guy who works for Caribbean New Yorker? Is that the same paper that waged a viscious, sustained, unrelenting racist campaign against Obama from June until November – just because Obama is black?
How on earth or in good heavens could this guy be associated with this rotten, racist paper – and now he claims he did volunteer work for the Obama campaign?
Incredible! Incredible! Incredible!
I’ve been wondering the same thing.
Of course it’s incredible. But people like to be seen as backing a winner. This cynical individual early on vaunted his support for Hilary Clinton because ” ‘Guyanese’ he polled didn’t want to waste their vote for someone who had no chance of winning”.
I support Mr. Bisrams’s call for Guyanese to be more active in the political arena.
While there are many obstacles to Guyanese being elected to local, state and federal positions, nevertheless, we must become activists and be involved in the political process through our community work.
One of the main obstacles, is the fact that in many areas where Guyanese reside, there is deep resentment against immigrants.
Second, many Guyanese feel that because there are professionals they could wake up one morning and decide to run for office. Many of them have no link to their communities. They do not participate in activities in their communities or do not contribute in any way to the betterment to their community.
Third, we are basically new community to America.
Fourth, while Guyanese may concentrate in one community, they may be another group that outnumber them in the same community and have the political power and it is very difficult sometimes to overcome this.
I must admit that all Guyanese communities in America may have different factors that prevent them from becoming involved in the political process. I wish we could share our experiences.
I would now like to address the comment by Joe.
I Have been a resident of New Yorrk City for 39 years and have been active in various struggles on the local, national and international arenas, since the 1970’s. Over the years, I have seen Mr. Bisram active in many activities that I have been involved with and this was/is not limited to the Guyanese community. Even though you may not have heard of Mr. Bisram or other Guyanese doesnt mean they are not active. The same way according to you, you are active in Maryland. Readers of this blog will take your word for it.
You attack Mr. Bisram saying his remarks is about the Queens/New York area. What is wrong with that if he lives in that community? All our activities usually begin from the place you live. And for your information, Queens, NY is the most diverse area in America and possible the world. There are over 170 different languages spoken in Queens. So ther is nothing wrong with being an activist in Queens.
Instead od attacking anyone else in the future, you should first read carefully what they are saying. And all Mr. Bisram is saying that Guyanese should become more involved and he is correct.
Instead of only attending duck curry competitions and picnics in the park, they should become involved in struggles that could affect them and their families for years to come.
Re: “I support Mr. Bisrams’s call for Guyanese to be more active in the political arena.
While there are many obstacles to Guyanese being elected to local, state and federal positions, nevertheless, we must become activists and be involved in the political process through our community work.
One of the main obstacles, is the fact that in many areas where Guyanese reside, there is deep resentment against immigrants.”
First of all, how can Guyanese become “active in the political arena” when they are not citizens of the United States of America? Besides, my Guyanese-born brother ran for office several times over twenty years ago at the New York State Senatorial level and have never heard him make any complaints; so, just what are you along with Mr. Bisram really talking about when participation by Guyanese American in the political processes in the United States of America in general is nothing new?
Re: “First of all, how can Guyanese become “active in the political arena” when they are not citizens of the United States of America? Besides, my Guyanese-born brother ran for office several times over twenty years ago at the New York State Senatorial level and have never heard him make any complaints;” And, for all intent and purpose the “fire in the belly” runs through the family’s bloodline (having been born into politics as some would say…). See the below attached link that was referenced many times and now you know why.
“List of Presidents of Guyana”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Guyana
http://www.genealogymagazine.com/luckhoo.html
No question Guyanese – wherever they are – need to get more involved. And maybe it’s improper to attack Bisram on this one, or to doubt that he actually worked for Obama (I’m still trying to get my head around that). But I’ve been noticing Bisram’s writings long before I came to the US, and long before Obama came on the scene. Impartial is not something I would call Bisram.
Very good point uncle Joe. The problem with the population in New York and to a some exten Florida,is that much as they would like to be involved in politics and anything else of a high profile nature, they cannot since the majority of people there are illegals. Mr. Bisram can talk as much as he likes, Guyanese who are legal residents in all states of the USA are not a large enough community to make a difference in anything. All they can hope for is to be recognized as supporting one faction or another for personal aggrandizement.
I don’ t agree that we can’t make a difference, Richard. The margin of victory in lots of races amount to LESS than the Guyanese population in those particular areas. In the end, as they say, ‘every vote counts.’
It is not that easy. Many have tried. There are forces at work in Guyana who do not desire the political status quo of the last 40 years to change.
What about the integration of the “ENGINEERING ECONOMY” of the United States of America and Guyana?
Re: “[....As for the Chinese and Russians,these are the new capitalists emerging. It is an exciting time or them,just like the past colonialists....]” You (or; I may have left out or failed to mention the foreseeable excruciating “international economic pain” from the weight of the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China). So, what about the questions with regards to the “safeguard of strategic materials” and other “resources” (oil….) in America’s interests? ;-)
Interesting also, it would be good to know why the Upper Mazaruni Hydro-Electric Project that was proposed by the L. F. S Burnham Administration (though reported to be financially, economically and technically feasible at the time by the World Bank) did not get off the ground (was a no-go where some in “North America” were concerned; and, now with the Russians and Chinese with an interest is such a project.
Well said Richard. And by the way when is Bisram going to answer Freddie Kission question
In one of his letters to Guyana Chronicle, Mr. Bisram stated that more Guyanese-Americans came out to vote this time – especially the young ones.
I have been trying to figure out – What is meant by term (he/generally used)Guyanese-American?
To my mind this applies to Guyanese who become American citizens but would not applies to their descendants. My reason is that from looking at my son’s birth certificate – it has not mentioned any Guyaneseness ( not even his parents being Guyanese immigrants) on it. Therefore he doesn’t need Guyanese ancestry (Guyanese East Indian/Amerindian) as an adjective before his Americaness by birth.
I think my being Guyanese/Guyanese -American ends at me (Guyanese immigrant).
Mr. Bisram, your closing sentence takes me back to Guyana. It is not the only means for one’s voice to be heard.