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On Thursday of this week, we celebrate the observation of the 53rd year of being a Republic. When we were granted independence in 1966 we knew that as a result of the advocacy of the PNC and United Force team, a provision was inserted to allow us to move from having the UK Monarch as titular Head of State to a system where we became a Republic.
This act fifty three years ago, was another step in our desire for total liberation to free the indigenous people, the descendants of slaves and indentured labourers from the notion that the British Monarch was still our Head of State in spite of us having our own flag, and anthem so that the enormous god-given resources would be controlled for the benefit of what we describe as the six peoples of Guyana and not the children of the old Master.
This objective to overcome forms of mental slavery must still be pursued by this generation. In the circumstances of our Guyana today, this is a herculean task but an honourable one, a necessary undertaking if we are to give meaning whenever we respectfully and with reverence recite our National Pledge.
We must be true to what we chanted in 1970, that ‘Massa day dun.’
We also use the occasion of the Republic to honour those men and women who have courageously sought to make our republican status a reality. Republic Day must be used to publicly identify those persons who continue to shed light to pierce the extant darkness of secrecy and shared stupidity in dealing with the mighty conglomerates who are here as was the case centuries earlier to harvest our non-renewable natural resources.
On Republic Day 2023, I list independent media, Stabroek News, Kaieteur News, Village Voice for piercing the darkness that is extant in our beloved country. For special honour, I single out Publisher Glenn Lall for his courageous crusade of enlightenment.
This is particularly significant when we seem to have an oligarchy daily manipulating, massaging and mangling what the old folks say are ‘the true facts.’
There is also a list of writers, who we should acknowledge this day. I think of Eric Moseley, GHK Lall, Earl B. John, Christopher Ram, Retd Asst Commissioner Clinton Conway, Retd Asst Commissioner Paul Slowe, Dr. David Hinds, Eric Phillips, Bro Ogunseye, and not leaving out FaceBook Advocates, Sherod Duncan, Mark Benchop, et al.
Happily we have a brilliant intellectual line-up of ladies in the frontline whose courage of advocacy provides guidance and goodness with grace for Guyana. My honour roll of females includes Melissa Janki, Janette Bulkan, Anette Ferguson, Vanda Radick, et al.
On behalf of citizens, young and old we thank them, confident in the belief and faith that the pen is mightier than the sword and that by next Republic Day, we will see the cracking of arrogance that is suffocating Guyana. As we continue the struggle let us know that we can overthrow the principalities sitting on the old ramparts of imperial domination and 21st century neo-colonalism.
Citizens, perhaps not understanding the intricacies of modern economics but boasting of and clinging to old time common-sense, in this regard I don’t understand with this abundance of money in an account overseas that our Government should be seemingly seeking to borrow money. I am confused.
On this Republic Day, let me remind those who are wittingly or unwittingly part of the imperial-type controlled machinery, particularly those who support certain theological beliefs, that they must remember the story of Esau who sold his birthright for a mess of pottage.
On this Republic Day, we can honour the Amerindian brothers who were marginalised, the indentured who were made to toil long hours on the estate, and the descendants of the African who were dehumanised and enslaved along with those who to avoid slavery jumped overboard.
Their bones are rattling at the bottom of the Atlantic, pleading with all of them to ensure that their suffering and sacrifices were not in vain. Some of the conditions which allowed the suffering of our fore-bearings may be evident, thanks to the apparent complicity of some of our leaders in Guyana.
I am reminded of these few lines by Irish Abolitionist, Historian, Writer, R.R. Madden
“Behold the peace that’s owned by him, who feels
He does no wrong, or outrage when he deals
In human flesh or yet supplies the gold……..
They make the war and he defrays the cost
To human suffering, sympathy and shame
His heart is closed and wealth is all his aim.”
Let us use this week for being thoughtful as we seek to make fuller use of our massive resources made glorious in a country that experiences no natural disasters.
Let us turn to our Churches, our temples, our mosques, or whatever means we use to seek divine intervention and pray that our leaders not be like puppets controlled by puppeteers.
Happy Republic !
