The new book, Walking in my shoes by the former US Ambassador to the United Nations and former two-term mayor of Atlanta is very intriguing and aptly applies to what 344,000 17-44 year olds in Guyana are uneasy about.
We are faced with a deepening economic crisis, a floundering educational system, a toxic environment filled with crime and corruption and a people hurt and angry for the last 30-40 years.
We need to start a national dialogue across generations, across ethnic, class, regional and international lines. How do we make the democracy work for the poor as well as the middle-income group and the upper class. What we see is people acting out of fear and anxiety. What we see are those who are comfortable focusing on the past and acting less. What we see are those who missed opportunities in the past dominating the national stage. What we see are those who don’t know and wouldn’t face the fact that their time is over (even placing their health in jeopardy to make a point). We need to give ‘space’ to fostering intergenerational dialogue.
Guyana and Guyanese cannot solve deep-seated socio-economic issues without inclusion. Everyone has to have a say and a vision. Everyone needs to act in the interest of the present and future generations.
Yours faithfully,
Denise Murray-Beresford
