Being “One”? Unity? A Myth! I Tire…

-One Minister’s Bank Accounts, Investments, Wealth

Hello there my nationalistic, patriotic Guyanese friends, please try to tolerate my vastly different view and perspective – perhaps provocative – on the issues mentioned in my lead caption today.

You see, fellow Guyanese, I’m past seventy years living here in Guyana and nowhere else. So I tire, truly, these days of hearing talk and calls for national, racial unity, since I became intelligently aware of such matters around age twelve.

(That’s after the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) had won the 1957 General Elections.) Ironically, I think it was the PPP’s Brindley Benn who contributed to the national Motto, “One People, One Nation, One Destiny” before the post – 1961, election political/ racial violence of the ’62-’65 period erupted. “Unity” then, as now, seemed a mere aspirational but useless word, but a favourite amongst both so-called and actual leaders; even some colonial interventionists of those pre- independence sixties.

 

What “Unity”? Guyanese, But not “One”

 

From the new Guyanese President, his Ministers and supportive commentators – and yes, the Ramotar-Jagdeo lot – plaintive, pleading calls resonate once again for “all Guyanese” to unite; to demonstrate and perhaps live in something, some state described as unity. (Now, imagine that! After a nearly-split-down-the-middle 2015 election and its consequences.) Okay, I suppose that’s what leaders and other influential role-models must, or are supposed to do.

Me? Even as a Guyanese to the bone, I am realistic! Unity as expressed by an aspirational national motto; as commitment in a National Pledge, Anthem or constitution; as longed-for by those (few) who could really submerge their ancestors’ origins and be modern-day Guyanese, will largely be elusive. Difficult to experience except in specific cases.

Before I indicate the exceptions which inform unity of all forces or groups- ethnic, political, gender, religious, cultural – I offer reminders with respect to unity and one reference to our Constitution.

“Unity” is defined by the meaning, “the quality or state of being – or being made one; concord, accord, harmony; totality of related parts; sometimes solidarity or integration”- and such hoped-for idealisms.

To achieve and sustain such unity a nation’s disparate constituents must first identify common causes, common likes, common strategies, common enemies and common objectives which only common working- together can achieve success for all, non-stop. This is my most simple recipe. Not simplistic. Can Guyana- Guyanese- achieve that brand, that level of sustained national unity? I doubt it!

Frankly Speaking, I prefer, I recommend the following: recognise that we are foremost Guyanese especially if born within our borders; when or if conscious of, or bonded to foreparents’ original heritage celebrate differences and diversity without triumphalism. I suspect real unity in the face of natural disasters or territorial aggression against our patrimony and sovereignty; united action to fight common poverty or disease outbreaks.

By the way, this from the Constitution is instructive: (Chap 2) “Sovereignty belongs to the people…” Well sovereignty is not unity and the “representatives” of the people often make the people forget the ownership of that sovereignty. (The preamble: “We the Guyanese people proclaim… to celebrate our cultural and racial diversity and strengthen our unity by eliminating any and every form of discrimination.”

Wow! We’re to “celebrate” our diversity (differences) but “strengthen” our unity. What unity? My hope springs eternal. It’s possible before Jesus Christ finally returns I suppose. Only he, I feel, can organize true, lasting unity though.

 

Peaceful Co-existence, then love?

 

I, realist Allan Fenty, will settle for peaceful co-existence amongst Guyana’s groups, races and tribes. I assure that peace, opportunity, fair governance, people-oriented democracy, employment, education and hope will eventually spawn love for fellow Guyanese.

But I will recognize valid differences. Folks from Aishalton, Albouystown, Anna Regina, Canal Number Two and Baramita deserve their daily cultural differences. They, however, must have hope and routine opportunity.

I recognise the myth of unity now. We are “born Guyanese” but not one. We don’t need to be! I am heartened too to see commentators like David Hinds and Henry Jeffrey now “succumbing” to the realism of racial voting and what shared multi-ethnic authority might achieve. Good, eventually. (And by the way, Douglahs and other mixed-race Guyanese can be racist too!)

 

The Minister’s wealth, future…

 

A European government was suddenly removed from parliament and power in a snap election- But one (former) government Minister was not devastated by the surprise dispossession of authority.

Why? Well during government for over twenty years, he had ensured the following: he secured loans from three banks; deposited two for prolonged interest; bought big buses, trucks and ATV’s for his sons to operate; sent daughters to American colleges; ensured America and Canadian citizenship for family members, invested in relatives’ businesses in Europe and his home country; bought acres of land and many properties in his relatives’ names; he can now speculate in real estate- if he wishes to do so.

With his life-long pensions as a former Public Servant and a former assemblyman no one need be “sorry” for that former Minister.

 

You need to ponder…

 

.1) I leave the Venezuelan threat to others for now. Except to share the view that the nation – teachers, soldiers, students, politicians, et al – should know the basics of the issue. For the then Ministry of Information, in 1982, I authored a slim, cartoon publication which, with solid research, exposed the fundamentals of the Guyana-Venezuela issue. It was/is meant for young adults, senior students and all those interested. I will forward that now “old” publication to the relevant authorities for updates, revision and whatever use can be made of it.

At the advanced tertiary levels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University should mount awareness sessions. Our people must know.

.2) Advice for PPP/C: Stay away from/protest Parliament for the first five (5) sittings. Let the government’s business proceed unhindered – for now.

.3) Advice for Government: Hoping this won’t happen, but if at all the Opposition’s absence will hinder the work of the Parliamentary Committees, revise the Standing Orders, the Constitution- If two-thirds are not necessary.

.4) Could we not bring in numerous 26-seater passengers ‘buses? For specific routes with subsidized fares and proper security and personnel?

’Til next week!

(Comments? allanafenty@yahoo.com)