Our Christmas Wish

In this article, I have summarised some of my columns into one so the readers can examine the content to see if any or all of the issues we have talked about are on your Christmas wish list for a better Guyana.

In my new book, to be released in late January, "Road to El Dorado - The People's Revolution," I have outline a possible road map. In next week’s column, I will release a preview and hopefully we all can include portions of it our New Year resolutions.

Early on in this column we touched on the very important issue of an engaged citizenry. We are a free people of a democratic nation and as such, we alone decide the political fate of our leaders and we can blame no one but ourselves for the state of Guyana. Yet each election year we fall into the same trap contrived by leaders who would divide our country in their quest for political power.

They recklessly cry racial partiality and our typical knee-jerk response is just as reckless. We are better than this. We are more decent and have more wisdom than to play into their dangerous games of vilifying one race over another.

Our insatiable thirst for responsive leaders has increasingly become more desperate with each year since our independence and is now culminated in a people who are disengaged, disenchanted and disheartened about their fair Guyana.

Though we are still just an adolescent country, it is quite clear that future history is calling upon our generation to carry the burden of defining the standards by which our country shall thrive. Is an engaged citizenry on your Christmas list this year?

I have seen several letters in the dailies lately addressing the loss of morality that seems to be taking a toll in our nation. We have touched on the topic of the moral fabric of our society in this column as well.

As citizens we have sat idly on the sidelines and watched as our children have become accustomed to riots in the streets and racial segregation in the government. We have simply sat by and accepted these types of incidents as being a normal course of events, when in reality they are nothing short of a national moral tragedy.

The highly regarded philosopher John Stuart Mill once said, “The general tendency of things throughout the world is to render mediocrity the ascendant power among mankind.” Mediocrity has long been the acceptable attitude for many Guyanese.

A single individual can also feel overwhelmed - like there is nothing he or she can do to change the state of our country. However, the question should not be “Should I try?” or “Why should I try?” The question each Guyanese is obliged to ask them self is “How can I not try?”

We have allowed mediocrity to rule in our hearts and as a consequence, instability has ruled our nation. Any type of growth, whether political, social or economical, has not only been stunted in the wake of our indifference, but has fallen into sad disrepair. Fortunately, all is not lost for we can still be repaired.

If the people of Guyana rise up to their moral and civic responsibilities as citizens, we can ensure a future of hope for our children and for their children. This is our country and it is time to reclaim it by asserting our responsibilities to each other as friends, neighbours, business associates and fellow countrymen. Is a resurgence of a high moral standard on your Christmas list today?

Each of us alone might feel like this task is overwhelming, but together - through teamwork – we can create a new Guyana. The more of us that are moving toward this noble goal, the better our chances are of achieving success. The larger our team, the more ways there are to help get Guyana on a road to recovery.

Let’s gather all of the brainpower we can muster, and when we have done that, let’s then borrow even more brainpower, because even though we the task may seem daunting and the issues insurmountable, we are still all Guyanese with a vision.

Now is the time to gather all visionaries from across the nation together, regardless of race or former political affiliation. Our focus should be to move forward and we cannot - we must not – fail. We need to check our proverbial compasses and make sure we are all going in the same direction. Have you wished for a government that knows the definition of teamwork for Christmas this year?

Together we can march as one people to take back our country from criminal forces and scheming politicians. We can rip our nation from the boney grip of poverty. Fear is nothing new to the Guyanese people, yet we hold out and hope for a brighter day; however, a passive wish will not make the fear go away.

If we truly want to be free from fear and want, there is so much that needs to be changed – but the change starts with you and me first. Our hopes can be realised and our dreams can come true, if we take up the task of reforming our country’s political system with our own hands. Is a prosperous new year for Guyana what you wish to get for Christmas?

If so, then we need to empower some bold leaders from all walks of life who are qualified and optimistic men and women with the courage of their convictions and the vision to lead our nation to greatness. Guyana’s problems are many and complex. Hence, we need goodwill, good laws, good men and women and good resolve.

Most of all, we need to work to truly solve our problems and replace the rule of moral chaos with that of order and direction. It is easy to propose laws. Sometimes it is easy to pass laws. But the measure of our seriousness is enforcing the law. This is where Guyana’s severe lack of strong and bold leadership becomes obvious.

Our hope does not lie in the reliance on status quo leaders who curtsy to the whims of the elite. We need leaders who have the internal fortitude to turn away from the temptations of power. We need leaders who seek national interests over personal interests. We need bold leaders who govern with compassion and wisdom. Is strong leadership in Guyana what you want from Santa?

As I read in the papers about what people wanted for Christmas this year, I was struck by how many said they wanted less crime. This is a clear demonstration of how selfless Guyanese are – and how much they want to see a healthy nation. Here’s hoping that Santa is good to Guyana this year and brings us each of these Christmas wishes. Let us remember though, that this is the day when Jesus Christ was born. God Bless You. Merry Christmas.