2020 was a year of trials and tribulations. Chaos and fear spread throughout the world like a wildfire, torching the hopes of the Earth’s citizens. Many longed for the year to end, with some perhaps foolishly thinking that the 1st of January 2021 would miraculously bring an end to COVID-19 and the chaos.
But only a few days into the year, on Wednesday, we witnessed anarchy in Washington D.C. as Trump supporters stormed and occupied the US Capitol. Many Guyanese could not help but note the similarities between the last Guyana elections and the US elections. We had the storming at GECOM’s Command Centre, the US had the storming of Capitol. We had accusations of fraud by the then incumbent and the Republicans have similarly alleged that there was fraud. Certainly, the revolutions and the chaos are being televised more than they have ever been in our history.
Many consider themselves lucky to have survived 2020. Some of our relatives and friends left us – many unexpectedly – amidst the growing crisis in this world. It is not only the coronavirus that continues to infect us, but a degenerative virus continues to spread. Humankind seems to be degenerating in all aspects of existence. Our evolution and degeneration seem to have amalgamated, creating a complex state of affairs.
Here in Guyana in 2020 we continued to contend with social issues. The prevalence of crimes like murder, rape, gender-based violence, child abuse and larceny for many years have exposed the indecency and malevolence that exist here.
A couple of weeks ago, we learned about the death of an eleven-year-old and her mother. They both were allegedly murdered by the hands of the mother’s Cuban boyfriend. Not only are Guyanese women and children suffering at the hands of Guyanese men, but now it seems we will also face immigrant depravity. Headlines read that the post-mortem found the child to be sexually active. How long must we wait for intelligent adults to accurately label the rape of children? Too often I hear stories about the widespread sexual abuse of Guyana’s children, which is often ignored or secreted. When our children die on the inside during the childhood, can we be surprised when some are zombified in adulthood and are therefore cold and heartless? Can we be surprised that some are mentally ill? Can we be surprised that the cycle continues?
The murders of the mother and daughter inspired discussions about the relationships between Guyanese and immigrants. More often than not, we do not know the backgrounds of those coming here to seek a better life. Some, therefore, believe that Guyanese men and women should be cautious when forming bonds with foreigners. But we cannot view all foreigners as being ill-intentioned. We Guyanese have been migrating to other countries for decades in search of a better life and often also form bonds with non-Guyanese. Could we imagine if all the countries our people have migrated to labeled us as being ill-intentioned or criminals?
While people are coming in their numbers to seek a better life here because they realize Guyana’s potential many Guyanese are still stuck in the trenches and cannot seem to make their way out the mud. It was just a few months ago when citizens of this country were flooded out for squatting. It was another example of the depravity of 2020.
It was reported that two children died by suicide in December; an eight-year-old and a thirteen-year-old. Children are not escaping the virus of depression that has infected this world. It is heartbreaking to think that an eight-year-old and a thirteen-year-old, are so consumed with despair that the only way they see out is death. Child suicides further expose the magnitude of the dysfunction on which much of this society stands.
In September we learned about the deaths of Joel and Isaiah Henry and Haresh Singh. These murders are unsolved. Many have resolved that there are those who do not want the murders solved. They say members of the police force are protecting the killers. We so often accuse the police of misconduct. Though the majority I suppose are decent men and women, the sins of a few, leaves a stain on them all. Perhaps the police force will prove the pessimists wrong and the killers will be brought to light. Perhaps the pessimists will be proven to be citizens who are not afraid to speak the truth because they have learned lessons from the past and have often seen the script end with injustice.
We had a change of government in August, but before we finally got there, our election crisis exposed us. As aforementioned, the storming at GECOM’s Command Centre and the allegations of fraud are similar to what has occurred in the United States. But our election crisis lasted five months. For five months our dirty secrets were being broadcast for the world. They were five months of furthering the divide. Five months of the racist virus, the hypocrisy virus, the malevolent virus and the coronavirus.
The political theatre where politicians combine their roles of antagonist and protagonist to continue playing on the emotions and intellect of the people continued. Many have chosen to play supporting roles in this political theatre only for their self-preservation. But this is what we continue to accept.
We have survived 2020. We must remember those who did not make it and pour libations in their honour. We must remember that though there is so much despair in the world, there are also beautiful experiences to be had. Love of self and love of fellow man can free and save us from the effects of the chaos and degeneration.
The events in Washington D.C have already exposed that the troubles that came with 2020 did not culminate on December 31st 2020. Injustices, social ills, political unrest and the coronavirus continue to penetrate the world. Many believe that 2021 is the sequel to 2020 and that darker times are ahead.
As individuals we can look at 2020 as the end of one era. Consider it to be a time when the universe was resetting the clock—a time when we were tested and tried, but when many of us discovered that we were stronger and more fearless than we ever imagined. It is a time when we have been forced us to look internally for the answers as we sat in isolation, many have discovered the power of the divine energy that is present in all of us.
2021 can be seen as a new beginning. We must set our intentions and know that collectively we can manifest a better world. Though there are challenges ahead, this is also a time of revelation. For much of what has been hidden is coming to light. Not only must we seek the light, but we must also be the light. No longer can we wait on others to save us or to fix the world, it is up to us.
