THAT, readers, was surely one of the most impactful weeks in the history of Guyana. For young people in particular, it pulsed with the light of changes to come; changes to the trajectory of the nation’s destiny. Martin Luther King Jr once said, “The arc of history is long, but it bends toward justice.” The era of one-man rule has finally left us with the Caribbean Court of Justice’s ruling against a third term for presidential candidates. It is justice for a nation long dominated by one-man rule, of one form or another, and it comes not a moment too soon.

I would, for the sake of impartiality, like to say the decision’s jubilant reception (by some citizens) was purely due to a passion for limited presidential terms, but I know that this is not true. Many are excited that Former President Bharrat Jagdeo in particular cannot run again. Despite his protestations, he has become a symbol for corruption, and the alleged criminality of his administration. This has run a close race with his great talents as a thinker and economist, making him a very polarising figure.

This polarising narrative, however, is just another reason extended presidential terms weren’t a good idea. Further rule by the former president would have likely led to even greater local unrest. This does not mean that he does not have a great deal to offer his party and the country at large; and Guyana certainly does need to hold onto its pillars of experience and intellect due to their scarcity. But his ability, as happens to most seasoned leaders, to bring the country together has vastly diminished with time.

This is why, far from the sensationalist messaging and controversy, I find Charles Ramson Jr’s announcement that he intends to run for president both interesting and important. Young, highly-educated and well-informed, he has, at base, many of the characteristics desirable in a president aiming to pull Guyana forward. More than this, however, because he is not as well known as Jagdeo’s close confidantes, he lacks their negative reputation. That’s a very good start.

He now has to fight the uphill battle of gaining support by striking a difference between himself and the members of that group, and maybe, just maybe, that will finally reform the PPP/C.

I have written at length that even though I am not a PPP/C supporter, I respect that they represent a sizeable number of Guyanese, and believe they are an integral component of Guyana’s development journey. The problem is that the Party’s culture became so toxic, in race relations, in allegations of corruption and criminality, that it’s hard for any reasonable person to support them.

Rock and Roll musician Kurt Cobain, ever a symbol of youthful defiance, once said, “The duty of youth is to challenge corruption.” If anyone ever had such a duty, it is Charles Ramson. Looking at his announcement, I noted his enthusiasm, his optimism and energy; but I also saw that something was missing. There is something about politics that is deeply sad; perhaps that is the knowledge that you sometimes have to do bad things to do good ones. I am always worried about politicians that look happy and relaxed; I can’t help but wonder if they have that inner steel. That steel is precisely what is required right now, if the PPP/C is really to be reformed.

This week also saw a tectonic shift in the Democratic Party in the United States, as one of the most senior Democrats was defeated by a 28-year-old Latina woman. She campaigned on an unapologetically socialist platform and heralded a change in ideas that may soon sweep that party. Tellingly, her district was in Queens, home to so many Guyanese. Young leadership in the Italian government also successfully stood toe-to-toe with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, winning concessions on migration.

This was a tectonic week indeed, and it seems youth are on the march the world over.
Will Ramson’s campaign end in flames? Will youth and fresh ideas prevail? Does he lack the inner steel to challenge entrenched toxic cultures? What are the ideas he actually wants to push in the public space? So many questions have come out of the last week, and so much potential for change and national growth. But at least we can say one answer has come out of this week as well: And that answer is a resounding “No!” The arc of history does indeed bend toward justice.