What do we expect of our leaders? Are we only concerned that they are qualified to be named to serve but their moral standards are not important? Indeed, the actions of some who were thought to have been the greatest leaders were immoral. Perhaps they may have been called great by errors in judgment. The scale on which morality is measured is modified depending on the time and the society. Still, many of these so-called great leaders of the past left legacies drenched in blood. Many modern-day leaders who suppress their peoples and rape their countries of the resources, are seen and heard, but in many societies, they remain seemingly untouchable. History has taught us that the masses can rebel and hold those they endow with the power accountable, but history has also taught us that the masses are sometimes too controlled, conditioned or divided to rebel, or are quickly cut down at the first hint of revolution.
Many establishments worldwide are grounded in corruption. The people suffer. The results is widespread immorality including social injustices, stagnation and a majority of the poor who must fight for the little they are given.
Many of the greatest nations stand on the blood, sweat and tears of the innocent and on the stolen legacies of those who have been oppressed. Great structures stand on the graves of those who died without any acknowledgment of their lives.
Have you ever wondered how different a world we would experience if it was equality, justice, peace and righteousness that were the foundation on which all of the world’s affairs were run? What would it be if there were no plunderers? No slavery? No imperialism? No colonialism? No holocaust? No wars?
Perhaps there is an alternate reality. Perhaps the human race is encountering some great test that will eventually reveal itself.
With racism, corruption and disease in the air, death looms. Many people will never experience any semblance of a good life. Many of the wealthiest people are stained with markers of iniquity, yet they seem to prosper, while many of the poor who choose to live in peace, love and honesty walk the road of struggle. Sometimes it would appear that the reward for honesty and righteousness are destruction and death, while the wicked continue to thrive.
Guyana has not escaped the corruption that encompasses the world. We have watched our citizens die in it. One of our greatest weaknesses is poor leadership. For we have allowed the politics, the racism and the trivial issues among the people to guide and cloud our judgment; this will continue to contribute to our detriment if we not fix it.
As Guyanese, do we expect our leaders to be decent human beings? Do we expect them to be fair? Should we judge them based on passed errors? Shouldn’t their past and present continuous ineptitude and depravity be factors on whether they are fit to lead? Shouldn’t our voices not disqualify them from representing our interests if we know they are incompetent? Do we not deserve the best?
Can we demand more mature leaders who put the people first?
Can we demand leaders who are not abusers?
Can we demand leaders who are not predators?
Can we demand that they not use their positions of power to groom and torture the innocent, leaving generations scarred?
Can we demand that their actions are transparent?
Too often men in power abuse their authority. The boldness that is displayed, the arrogance, and the lack of remorse oozes out of their pores.
Is there ever a time when the behaviours of abusive leaders should be ignored? The past will tell that we have often excused it. How do we quietly watch participants in gender-based violence and sexual predators occupy spaces to serve the people and act like there is nothing wrong with that? Why do we the people continue to accept this?
In this river of hope Guyana continues to swim. We, the people, continue to endow the same players with the power hoping that they will do right by all of us. But when the social ills that are rampant among the populace are present also in leadership what does it say about moving closer to the eradication of such?
Guyana, like the rest of the world must battle through this age of darkness and light. Racism, corruption, and injustices are all threads that continue to run rampant through this world and sometimes it seems there will never be peace. Men, women and children continue to suffer, and society’s outrage is occasional. But we must continue to resist. The fight can never be abandoned. Even in the midst of storms, there are enclaves where we can find calm and peace.
As Guyanese, we cannot sit and watch known murderers run free. We cannot stay silent while the rape of children continues, and some insist on excusing the perpetrators and excusing their crimes. The powerful in this society must not be allowed the freedom to offend repeatedly while never facing the consequences of their actions.
In the midst of all these uncomfortable truths, all some of the people want is a glimmer of hope. A glimmer of hope that our leaders will do right by us. A glimmer of hope that they will listen to the people. A glimmer of hope that our political circus is not just made up of lions in a den threatening to destroy each other with no sincere interest in protecting the pride; while the sheep blindly cheer them on, even though they may be aware that they will soon be eaten.
We want to see hope that is demonstrated in the maturity of our leadership whose focus is on improving the lives of all Guyanese and not personal vendettas and vindictiveness. We want decent leaders who are strong to stand and represent us with pride to the world. We are all Guyana’s children and this land belongs to all of us.
To decent men and women in the leadership, power corrupts, but it does not have to corrupt you. Hold your comrades accountable.
