Op-Ed: Those in Guyana Who Seek Proximity to Power

In the shadows of power, too many people mistakenly believe that survival lies in appeasement. This mindset, common even among the oppressed, mirrors the tragic hope of standing close to an alligator, believing that submission might delay being eaten. But history and experience teach us otherwise, proximity to power does not guarantee protection, nor does it promise reward. Eventually, those who cower in complicity are consumed just like the rest.

This is particularly evident in Guyana, where a troubling pattern has emerged. Needy citizens, eager to elevate their social standing, slide on their bellies before government officials, foreign company executives, department heads, and members of the diplomatic community, desperate to be seen, acknowledged, and perhaps offered a seat at a proverbial table. They engage in hollow gestures, trading dignity for fleeting recognition, hoping their proximity to these powerful figures will translate into tangible benefits. But what do they truly gain? Little more than momentary validation, while the fundamental issues facing the country remain unaddressed.

The harsh truth is that sycophants gain nothing. The powerful, whether they sit in government offices, corporate boardrooms, or foreign embassies indulge flatterers only as long as they serve a purpose. Every lord needs subjects, but subjects are not equals, they are tools, disposable once their usefulness expires. The illusion of influence is just that, an illusion. It pacifies those too timid to challenge authority, sedating them with the false belief that their compliance earns them favor.

Yet, this cycle of appeasement yields nothing but stagnation. Guyana’s history of bowing to external powers and internal elites, of seeking validation from foreign investors and government officials, has left the country with little to show. After years of pandering to these groups, where are the transformative developments? Where is the justice for communities left behind or the systemic changes that truly uplift the nation? The diplomatic community smiles, the government promises, and foreign companies make grand announcements, but the power dynamics that keep Guyanese citizens in a constant state of need remain unaltered.

What escapes those who cozy up to power is a fundamental truth, true progress comes from collective action, not individual appeasement. When people stand together and demand better, they create movements that power cannot ignore. History is filled with examples of oppressed communities who achieved lasting change not by flattering their oppressors, but by confronting them with unity and unwavering demands for justice.

Guyanese society must recognize the futility of seeking favor from those who see them as pawns. It is time to invest in solidarity rather than subservience. The people must realize that their strength lies not in proximity to the powerful, but in their shared commitment to a better future. Only by standing together, refusing to be silenced or sidelined, can they break free from the cycles of exploitation and neglect.

In the end, appeasing the alligator does not change its nature. Sooner or later, it will turn on you. But standing together, refusing to feed the beast, offers the best chance of not just survival, but of building a future where power is accountable, and dignity is non-negotiable.