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
I personally think this is a time for reflection and introspection, Guyanese as a people is a microcosm of the world view on a common issue as politics. Each has a guiding principle ranging from being self-centered not mindful of the free-rider benefits, to altruism totally committed to the common good of humanity. I will posit that Vishnu letter may not have addressed the issue in totality, but non the less it is an overarching problem that needs to addressed.
One benefit that could be derived is the establishment of a national body of Guyanese Americans and other like minded Caribbean nationals from which leaders can emerge to influence and develop better relations on issues of national, Caribbean, and global concerns.
For those who would have been part of the historic elections, I say thanks, and many more for the continued work to be done ahead.
You may have left out the word “regional” when you wrote “One benefit that could be derived is the establishment of a national body of Guyanese Americans and other like minded Caribbean nationals from which leaders can emerge to influence and develop better relations on issues of national, Caribbean, and global concerns.
For those who would have been part of the historic elections, I say thanks, and many more for the continued work to be done ahead”; and, while your sentiments are appreciated you can rest assured that Caribbean-American organizations such as the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce have taken up the challenges (to which you along with “Vishnu Bisram” may be referring) over a decade ago.
In response to Kaieteur Gold, my e-mail address is lburnette50 @hotmail.com and yes when I get the statistics I will share them with SN readers.
I don’t know what rock this guy crawl from under, but I myself and many other Guyanese volunteered our time to work for Barak Obama in Long Island, and many other politicians across NY State.
I guess he’s looking to run for office in Queens and needs the Guyanese support, but he must remember that politics in America is not about who you know, but what you know and how you articulate yourself.
This is the same Vishnu that said Hilary Clinton was going to win the last election, now he is saying he was working the phone for Obama campain.Vishnu awe nah forget dah quick wha u said.If you want a few black votes in the Queens area to help elect one of your Indo Guyanese Pal just say so.You should be working to clean up the area of Queens you live in then get back to us.Teachers union.