Dear Editor,
At this time of the year we take time off from our routines in both rain and brilliant sunshine, to quite properly celebrate Mash 2011. Mash Day itself was celebrated with typical Guyanese enthusiasm and gaiety. But one wonders how many of our youth, civic, religious and political leaders, set aside a brief moment to ponder the significance of the origins of Mash or our Republic Day.
Set aside whether the major uprising of 1763 was on February 23, or as some argue February 27, 1763 [Ed note: There is no dispute among historians in the field that the correct date is February 27], it was the valiant effort of a brutalized enslaved people to secure their God-given rights of freedom, human dignity and justice.
Their initial efforts and failures have many important lessons for all of us, in particular those who still hunger for real freedom, human dignity and justice, three pillars upon which to build sustainable peace and progress. I hope and pray that this generation can overcome a serious weakness noticeable throughout history; it is where rational people and their leaders seem unable to learn from the many lessons of history.
Why did Chiang Kai Shek fail to listen to voices calling for change until it was all too late? Why did King George III and his cabinet take the path of coercion instead of conciliation with the American colonies? And just these past few weeks we witnessed a stubborn Egyptian leader exit.
But the lesson – the cause of the 1763 failure was primarily due to a familiar form of folly – failing, as we say to keep their eyes on the ball, and learning from previous failed attempts for freedom. The leaders of the new ‘freed slave’ state set up by them after chasing their European oppressors, failed because of disunity, and a failure to appreciate the wisdom to set aside all differences – I mean all real or perceived personal differences – and accept that all of their energies ought to be concentrated on the total elimination of the cruel system which they faced.
Today let us heed the wisdom of Virgil, which in summary says “Whatever may be our differences, we have one common peril and therefore one safety.” I
hope and pray therefore while we savour the frolic and fun of Mash and Republic Day, we do not ignore the very important lesson of the 1763 uprising, but turn away prepared, not to repeat those mistakes. Even though courageous leadership is always useful, ultimately it is the ordinary people who matter.
Let us together cogitate, as we together celebrate.
Yours faithfully,
Hamilton Green
Mayor
