Dear Editor,
The recent and well-publicized controversy regarding a student wearing an indigenous outfit to a school and being told no, resulted in numerous reactions and protests. I was most intrigued by one comment from a protestor who said , “everybody think buck people stupid, but this is a new breed of buck people .” This statement spoke to the widespread discrimination of a people that were long associated with stupidity because of traditions and culture.
I believe the time has come to engage with a new breed of everything.
To address lack of transparency and accountability, let us begin with a new breed of politicians that subscribe to a spirit of national unity when debating public policies that benefit all Guyanese. Besides, the minister of cohesion should be a key stakeholder in all facets of government decision making including use of oil revenues.
Let us address domestic violence and abuses by having a new breed of husbands and fathers that see their fundamental duty is to respect their wives and provide and protect their families. Likewise, a new breed of wives and mothers to preserve their husbands’ dignity as the heads of the households, and support their families by being active members in their communities including looking out for children other than their own.
Let us address the need for a hopeful future with new breed of youths that have dreams of putting their country in the forefront of innovation and sense of collaboration for a better tomorrow. Moreover, they should have their say in policymaking at every level.
Let us protect freedom of speech with a new breed of journalists that seek to report the truth in a fair and balanced way.
For my indigenous friend keeping the fire burning!
Yours faithfully,
Keith Bernard
