ON Sunday, Guyanese celebrate our 50th Republic Anniversary. Some will be part of the Mashramani parade as participants, observers, or engage in the commerce of the day, while others will stay at home or use the day to pursue other interests. The history of Guyana, irrespective from whence our ancestors came, is rich with so many experiences.
There is so much to learn about this nation, its evolution, and the contributions of its diverse peoples. But what Guyanese have not been very good at over the years is documenting our history, where present and future generations can benefit. The proliferation of ignorance – promoted or cultivated – about our history can never be to our collective best, ignored.

For where some fail to know or deliberately peddle misinformation, for one reason or the other, it can never serve to the good of the nation. In Guyana’s case, where mythology, mistrust of the other, and the divide-and-rule debased thinking still intertwine in the daily mosaic, getting our history right is so important. Knowledge is power and that power enables and presents the possibility to look at issues through an objective lens.

There is much each can learn from the other and cultivate respect for the other, when the truth is told. The good/bad binary, based on a group or individual, that has held sway has not served us well, and to some extent has retarded our intellectual development and outreach to each other in the spirit of brother and sisterhood necessary to welding and building a nation. There are some who have called for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission to deal with our political past, most notably the 1970s-1980s. Whereas such a call could play an important role in helping to bring understanding to a period in this nation’s political life, if such never materialises, it is hoped the players of that period, at least find the time to recount what they know, and the roles they played.

It is not uncharacteristic to have persons tell their stories (oral or written) and request that such be made public after their death. Though this has not been a feature of our society, it may help if those who have lived through certain periods – though disinclined to speak now – at least leave a recount to be told after their passing.

Our history is much longer and more complex than the politics that has shaped it and all needs to be told. There are walking historians and historical movers within our midst who, in sharing their stories as participants or as observers, can help the nation’s archival repertoire. It may help if the Ministry of Education examines the feasibility of directing or supporting such a project whereby persons record events from our oral historians.
This newspaper carried a story on the origin of Mashramani, titled, “Jimmy Hamilton: The man who helped coin the word ‘Mashramani’,” (February 19, 2016). Our reporter, Rabindra Rooplall, was accorded a rare moment in our society to interview this legend who played a major role in the event becoming mainstream, likewise, how the name was arrived at and the role the government of the day played. The late Hamilton was a treasure, and undoubtedly there are others around like him. We need to search out these persons, talk with them, and record their stories. It helps to have engagement when they are among us.
There are many gaps in our history and these can be credibly filled, getting to the right persons and documents, source and secondary. When this is not done, it creates a vacuum and allows others to peddle misinformation, innocently or deliberately. At this stage of the nation’s development, it helps for our past to be honestly told. The majority of the nation’s population are 40 years and younger and given this, have the benefit of examining history less emotionally.

Over 50 years after independence and exactly 50 years of republican status, it is time our history be chronicled honestly, with all its blemishes and beauty. It is our history and when told it not only presents opportunities to learn from it, but also creates better understanding of the nation’s evolution and growth, and what is needed to avoid pitfalls. History is prologue and serves as the premise from which we can move forward. It helps when our steps are sure-footed.