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As Guyana stands at the threshold of new economic opportunities, our nation is in dire need of a vision that speaks to unity, integrity, and a future for all its citizens. Yet, the current administration has consistently fallen short of these ideals. The PPP government, with its persistent undertones of discrimination, corruption, and fear-driven tactics, offers us little beyond a perilous path toward division and potential strife. Who, then, will stand up for Guyana’s future? In moments like these, history tells us to look to the middle class—the educated, the professionals, those with the resources and resilience to pave a path forward. But will Guyana’s middle class step up to meet the demands of this moment?
In times past, middle classes across the world have led transformative movements against oppressive regimes. In South Africa, black professionals, teachers, and activists were key in the anti-apartheid struggle. Despite the risks, they joined forces with the broader population to dismantle institutionalized racism. In Poland, intellectuals and professionals within the middle class supported the Solidarity movement, helping bring an end to communist repression. In the United States, middle-class African Americans spearheaded the Civil Rights Movement, challenging deeply entrenched racial injustices. Each of these movements required bravery, vision, and sacrifice from middle-class citizens who refused to accept the status quo.
Guyana’s middle class, though fearful, has a unique role to play in setting forth a vision for our nation. Despite the PPP’s history of intimidation, the time has come to consider what kind of future we truly want for our children and ourselves. Guyana’s growing economic power from oil reserves offers unprecedented potential for development, but these opportunities will be squandered without honest leadership and clear direction. We cannot allow a visionless government to determine our fate. We need a movement rooted in the belief that all Guyanese—regardless of race or region—deserve a fair share in the nation’s progress.
Our call to action must be grounded in the courage of the middle classes who have come before us. We can draw strength from the bravery of students in Tiananmen Square, the resilience of those who protested in the Arab Spring, and the determination of India’s professionals who supported the independence movement. Like them, Guyana’s middle class has the education, resources, and reach to foster new ideas, unite communities, and advocate for a transparent government that truly serves its people.
Today, Guyana calls for change. Who will answer? It will take courage and unity to demand accountability, to inspire hope, and to remind our leaders that they serve at the will of the people. Guyana’s middle class can, and must, stand at the forefront of this movement. Only by raising our voices together can we forge a path toward a future that honors and uplifts every citizen of this nation. The question is not whether we need change—the question is, who will lead it?
