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By Michelle Ann Joseph- Guyanese have experienced heightened tension throughout the last quarter of 2023, primarily fueled by the ongoing Guyana/Venezuela controversy. This dispute has left many citizens uneasy, contemplating the potential ramifications should Venezuela persist in its unlawful claim to Essequibo.
Amidst this disconcerting and perplexing period, the concept of patriotism has surfaced as a crucial consideration. One might ponder, “What is patriotism, and why is it essential for us to embrace it?”
The standard dictionary definition reads, “love of one’s country.” While this encapsulates the fundamental meaning of the term in everyday usage, some may find it somewhat limited and in need of elaboration. In the inaugural philosophical examination of the subject, Stephen Nathanson (1993, 34-35) defines patriotism as encompassing:
1.Specific affection for one’s country
2. A sense of personal identification with the country
3. Special concern with the well-being of the country
4. Willingness to sacrifice to promote the country’s good
In the context of Guyana, how can we connect with the concept of patriotism? When we consider expressions like love for our country, a readiness to make sacrifices, and a commitment to promote the well-being of our nation, what thoughts come to mind?
In my humble opinion, I interpret patriotism as encompassing a sense of pride and a sincere embrace of our culture and heritage. It entails recognizing the mantra “A United Front” and actively rejecting segregation or divisiveness across the board. It cannot simply align with a government-defined “One Guyana,” especially if such a concept does not seem directed towards unity. This raises a pertinent question: How can one authentically be a patriot or hold genuine love and admiration for their country when there is apparent racism and division?
In some sections of the media especially, you can hear radio personalities speaking in an American accent, disc jockeys sounding like Jamaicans, Guyanese mothers go to other countries to birth their children with the intention of securing a better future or greener pastures so to speak, when they are of age.
Foreign artists and performers often take precedence over our local talent, evident in the noticeable difference in clarity between the bands of local and foreign performers. This situation prompts questions about our Guyanese identity. Should our love for our country extend to embracing our culture in its entirety, including our dialect and diversity?
Over the past six weeks or so, the recurring rhetoric of “not a blade of grass” resonated throughout Guyana, expressed through both song and verbal displays. During this time, school children were reintroduced to the historical Guyana/Venezuela controversy. They actively engaged in depicting and performing songs and poems of national interest. The problem is this should be an ongoing process of education and not subject just to a time of ‘crisis.’
Many buildings proudly display the Golden Arrowhead, and during Christmas, flags become more prevalent, particularly around the periods of Mashramani celebrations and Independence. It seems that, perhaps to demonstrate our love for the country, these flags are visible nationwide, especially amid the ongoing existential threats from Venezuela. The display of flags and the rallying slogans like “Essequibo is we own” could be interpreted as visible signs of patriotism.
In a nation characterized by political, racial, and cultural divisions, where people speak various dialects and accents, one might wonder: Are Guyanese truly patriotic? Deciphering this phenomenon becomes challenging, especially in a time when citizens align themselves with leaders and lawmakers based on personal preferences rather than strict adherence to political correctness or mandates.
For some individuals and thinkers, patriotism has been associated with the belief that certain people feel their country is superior to others. The revolutionary and political thinker Emma Goldman articulated this perspective, stating:
“Patriotism assumes that our globe is divided into little spots, each one surrounded by an iron gate. Those who have had the fortune of being born on some particular spot consider themselves nobler, better, grander, more intelligent than those living beings inhabiting any other spot.”
Despite these sentiments, the love of country should remain a significant value for its citizens. The commitment to defend and advocate for what is right and just should be instilled in the minds of individuals from infancy to adulthood. Whether faced with division or a united front, each person holds their own interpretation of what patriotism means. It is incumbent upon each of us to strive for what is good and right, fostering love and service for our fellow citizens and country.
