Dear Editor,
I am not making any claims to being an expert on politics; however it remains obvious to the working class that we workers have not received proper leadership from our elected representatives, who frequently appear more interested in attributing blame for past injustices and acts of indiscretion than they are in solving the rampant gender violence and abject poverty within our country.
It is not often that history provides people with an opportunity to do what is fair and just; however, I put it to each of our political leaders that now is such a time and urge them to use this rare occasion to ensure their legacy is not that of divider of a country that has been in turmoil for several generations, but the healer of a fractured state.
I understand and am fully aware of the complexities that a programme of national reconciliation will require, however there is no doubt that such a project is possible provided they have the courage and determination to do what is right for the entire country.
I know that there are several ideological differences that may appear too problematic to overcome. As such, there are many of us who will offer whatever resources they require freely and without hesitation in support of this effort because we, the workers want to contribute to the betterment rather than the detriment of our country.
Surely if we, the workers can reconcile whatever differences we may have, our elected representatives can follow our modest yet honest efforts and at least, initiate dialogue with one another.
It is in the spirit of cooperation and national reconciliation that we, the workers, strongly encourage each and every one of our leaders to put aside whatever political ambitions and personal desires they may have for the sake of our country.
At this period in time, we, the workers are not interested in blaming each other for past acts of injustice and indiscretion. We are more concerned with the abject poverty and rampant gender violence that plagues our communities leaving us feeling unsafe even in our homes. This is not the Guyana that our forefathers had fought and struggled so hard for. This has become a wasteland filled with garbage, intolerance, gender violence and corruption which has made us become a third world country after we had once been the intellectual and cultural centre of the Caribbean.
It is now that we, the workers are forced to ask our elected representatives how much more damage can be done to us and our country as we become buried by their ideological differences and politics?
We are not naïve enough to expect miracles, nor do we believe that such an arduous undertaking will be accomplished immediately. We simply urge the leaders to reconsider whatever philosophical issues and cultural differences that keep them apart in order to achieve national reconciliation. If we, the workers can come together and find the courage within our hearts to promote unity and peace for the sake of our country and our children, can they not also be gracious enough to do the same?
Yours faithfully,
Sherwood Clarke
General President
Clerical & Commercial
Workers’ Union
