Together we stand, divided we are exploited

By Mark DaCosta May 14, 2014

Guyanas entire history has been characterised by politically defined and maintained racial divisions.
Various of our ethnic groups as defined by political forces have viewed themselves at different times
in history as oppressed or subjugated. The present is no exception.

Presently, the PPP/C, with major Indo-Guyanese support, occupies executive office. Therefore,
Guyanese who do not identify as Indo-Guyanese, may feel oppressed or sidelined. Moreover, the natural
reaction to oppression may be to use all means at ones disposal to fight ones perceived oppressors.
Given these facts, one must first identify ones oppressors. We may also wish to ponder a few truths.

1. Oppressors are never groups; they are never our neighbours, who may be as subjugated as we are
regardless of their ethnicity, or ours. Instead, oppressors are always individuals who occupy high offices.

2. Racial division is terrible for Guyanas development. Such division benefits only the ruling elite, at the
expense of the poor majority.

3. There is a difference between pride in our own culture on the one hand, and denigrating the culture of
others, on the other hand. This difference may be most obvious, however, only to the more educated
persons. Such persons may have a responsibility to ensure that the difference is highlighted and made
clear.

4. Confrontation in many forms is part of our history, and the results are clear for all to see. If we must
confront oppressors, then we should be careful not to misidentify our enemy.

With these truths in mind, we may consider:

1. What is our objective, development of a national identity, or having our race in power?

2. Does accentuating ethnic or cultural differences contribute to the development of a national identity?
What if instead, we focus on the real similarities among ourselves, rather than arbitrarily manufactured
and amplified differences?

3. Do we want to change the status quo to create a unified Guyana, or do we want only to put the same
shoe on the other foot?

Guyanese, like any other social or political group, will make individual and collective decisions. Hopefully,
those will be informed decisions: we must consider our past actions, and the results of those actions
which we can observe presently.

Will we perform the same actions again and again, or will we choose a different course?

The future of our country may depend on the quality of our answers to such questions. We must
therefore think carefully before we speak and act, as actions cannot be undone. I trust that Guyanese
particularly leaders, thinkers, writers and others to whom the majority may look for guidance will
choose wisely.