Dear Editor,
I have always held the view that race relations in Guyana are generally good. While it is a fact that voting behaviour over the past decades was largely influenced by perceptions of race, that in itself does not make a case for ethnic divisions in the society especially as it relates to the two major ethnic groups.
In fact, Guyana is today a good example of a multi-ethnic and a multi-cultural society where all races and ethnicities peacefully co-exist and where there are high levels of tolerance and respect for diversity.
Ours is a display of unity in diversity and it is therefore incumbent on us all to maintain and build on this strength that we have managed to forge and preserve over the decades.
We are reminded time and again that there is no superior race as there is no superior culture. We have come a long way since the days of slavery and indentureship.
Despite the fact that we have been a transplanted society, we managed to forge by and large a harmonious and cohesive society.
This is exactly what our foreparents would have wanted for us. This indeed is the challenge before us. We have to deepen our democracy to allow for greater
inclusivity and participation of all Guyanese regardless of ethnicity of political affiliation.
The ‘winner takes all’ approach to our politics must give way to a more enlightened system of governance based on a win-win formula where there is no dominant group but where all segments of the population are adequately represented in the governance structures.
Let us celebrate our diversity even as we guard against any display of ethnic or cultural triumphalism. Such tendencies are counterproductive and certainly not in our best national interest.
I take this opportunity to extend Emancipation greetings to all Guyanese in particular my Afro-Guyanese brothers and sisters.
Yours faithfully,
Hydar Ally
