As we are fast becoming totally consumed by the subject of oil, its accompanying distractions – profits, barrels, taxes, etc – and the politics for the control of the coffers, our level of awareness of who we are, as a people and a nation, is quietly seeping through our fingers. Politics aside for a moment – if that is even a feasible thought – how many of our younger generations – Millennials (1981 – 1996) and Zoomers (1997 – 2012) – actually possess a deep appreciation for and understanding of our history, geography, and literature? A sampling of interactions between the Baby Boomers (1946 – 1964) and Generation X (1965 – 1980) with the two aforementioned generations would tend to suggest that this lack of interest in one’s background is a burgeoning problem, coupled with the even more disturbing fact that they can’t even bothered with such matters, which they might consider trivial or of no consequence in their world of technology and social media dominance. Is this perturbing lack of awareness a by-product of our education system, or a loss in, or, a lack of, national pride which is not being passed on by the older generations? It is neither the intention nor the scope of this column to determine which factors are contributing to this sad state of affairs.
Four Fridays past, this column drew attention to the 1823 slave rebellion. “Today marks the two hundredth anniversary of one of the Caribbean’s great uprisings. About 6 pm on 18th, August, 1823, the plantation of Success rose in revolt, followed by most of the others on the East Coast of Demerara,” (1823, SN, 18th August, 2023), the article commenced. One wonders how many of our elders, reading this editorial on a significant turning point in our history, and the subsequent consequences, dire as they were for the leaders, and the eventual termination of slavery in the colony, took the time to point it out to the younger generations, most of whom apparently no longer read anything which is not on their phones.
In a few short weeks, it will be 45 years since the tragedy of Jonestown occurred in the North West District, near Port Kaituma. Tragic as it was, it’s a segment of our history which we are not proud of, and, for the most part, has been swept under the carpet. Curious minds seeking details are not apt to find much locally, and will have to resort to books such as, “Raven: The Untold Story of the Rev. Jim Jones and His People” (1982) by Tim Reiterman and John Jacobs, or one of the several films subsequently made. One recurring chilling image from Jonestown is the photograph of a famous quotation painted in bold white capital letters on a black signboard which read, “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it”. The sign was affixed to a rafter of the open-sided worshipping area, which was strewn with lifeless bodies. It is an ominous warning for younger Guyanese, who, if they are conscious of the history of the extraction of our natural resources, will be well aware of where the real profits are deposited.
Coupled with this lack of historical awareness is limited first-hand knowledge of the lay of the land of our country. Local tourism is neither cheap (why did we abandon our trains?) nor a popular pursuit of the younger generation. The vastness of our hinterland and the prior limited affordable access more often than not, only by river, an excusable deterrent for non-swimmers, no longer applies, now that one can get to Lethem via bus. Besides the adventurous, how many young Guyanese have explored their county and, or, visited the counties they don’t reside in? This unawareness of one’s environment becomes further embarrassing when one realises that those who have the means to travel have opted to go overseas to the Caribbean and North America, having never experienced a day trip on the Essequibo River to the historic sites of Fort Island and Kyk-Over-Al. As we continue to wallow in the ineptitude of our making, soon it will be the expats working in oil industry (who, ironically, can afford the cost of air travel) showing us photographs of our numerous waterfalls and recounting sightings of rare species of our extensive fauna from bird watching excursions to Mahaica Creek, the interior, and other parts of Guyana.
Speaking of Kyk-Over-Al, how many Guyanese of all generations are aware of the existence of the magazine which recorded our literature? Much less, seen, held, or even read a copy? To this undesirable state of affairs is added the apparent disinterest in the completion of the digitisation of our National Archives, which continue to deteriorate in our tropical environment. To paraphrase CLR James, “What do they know of Demerara who only Demerara know?” Our younger generation needs to grasp the fact that there is more to life than iPhones, rap music, social media, and tattoos. If one does not develop an awareness of one’s roots, then one is liable to believe any concocted version that is churned out. The danger in this is already visible in the preposterous and lopsided beliefs that are held up as gospel. We need to encourage all of our youth to develop awareness; truth seeking is a worthy endeavour.
