The beginning of a new year is generally a time of reflection and resolution making. Usually, resolutions are about changing negative behaviours, adopting positive ones, achieving goals, etc. Reflecting upon the past year, I am most struck by the lack of compassion and consideration that was on display in Guyana in 2014. There are many examples- the police shooting of 15 yr old Alex Griffith, the senseless killing of two members of the transgender community, the multiple rapes of Guyanese women and girls, the wanton domestic and interpersonal violence, along with the looting of the national treasury and natural resources of the nation by the politrickians. Yes, there are many things that need changing in Guyana, on multiple levels. However, in my opinion, the problematic behaviour at the root of most of these issues is the same one- a lack of empathy and that is something that must be tackled head on, by all Guyanese.
Empathy is defined as the ability to understand the feelings of another; to put yourself in another person’s shoes,
