Guyana is emerging, slowly but surely, out of the long years where we saw each other as “them” and “us,” and this is evocative by the genuine goodwill displayed to each other – across every divide, on a daily basis as we interact with each other within communities and in the general society, despite the attempts of some politicians (and some politicians posing as journalists and columnists) constantly trying to whip up racial hysteria.

Touching, sincere acts of assistance and cooperation that are demonstrated daily by Guyanese for fellow Guyanese, with absolute disregard for race, religion, or creed, have demonstrated the great heart of the true Guyanese, which is reminiscent of the days when we all looked out for each other with genuine caring and respect.

The spirit of sharing and caring, so amply demonstrated during the Christmas season, heralds a sublimating climate of reaching out to heal wounds, because there are wounds everywhere – some perceived from delusional premises on which the power-hungry had built their support, and others from a genuine sense of not belonging and of having no rights in this country.

No country in the world is without problems, and within the human condition there would always be human beings – black, brown, yellow, white, red, whatever, who would want to subvert the social systems in order to acquire wealth they have not earned.

There would always be nepotism and corruption in and out of Government, because human beings are prone to human failings, and we need to be each other’s keepers, as in days of yore when it was the freed slaves who reported to the authorities on the inhumane treatment meted out to indentured labourers.

The “kith and kin” mentality should no longer prevail, because family members often hurt us more than outsiders – and many of us have forged deep and abiding bonds with “outsiders” than with those we share with our own, so we need to take a step back and question everyone who tells us that wrong is being done to us, and that they can do right for us, then question their track record before deciding if they qualify for our trust.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) – a Party that was founded to address the collective needs and aspirations of all the peoples of this land, which its membership has always underlined.

General-Secretary of the Party, Mr. Donald Ramotar, said that the Jagans and the PPP have always embraced anyone, irrespective of race, colour, or creed, who indicates a desire to join forces with them in nation-building endeavours and initiatives.

According to Mr. Ramotar, they do not promise wealth, because they possess none themselves, and most often they draw supporters into social services, community-enhancement, and national developmental projects that entail really hard work with little material or financial benefits, except that one gets the satisfaction that accompanies efforts to make life a little better for one’s fellow citizens; but the Party’s General-Secretary said that long-standing members such as Shirley Edwards, Cyril Belgrave and others of the older generation, as well as younger elements and new recruits such as Odinga Lumumba, who proliferate in the Party right across the nation, could testify that there is no discrimination within PPP ranks, although there may be disagreements between members, but it is never based on a racial quotient.

As President Jagdeo is recorded as saying, theirs is not a perfect Party, nor is theirs a perfect Government, because no such thing has ever existed, nor will ever exist, once the human element is a component within the unit.

However, one would expect that a responsible opposition or media corps would not just criticise, but would put their criticism within reasonable contexts, without trying to demonise persons who may be working really hard to find solutions and to enhance the capacities and service of their respective portfolios, because Guyanese from every walk of life work within the governmental structure. And while mistakes may be made, maybe a respectful suggestion to an alternative approach would be constructive and open avenues for rapprochement and genuine attempts to find answers, because no-one is above making mistakes, and while we may disagree, respect for each other should be a paramount feature in our interactions and interrelation with each other.

One cannot want cooperation if there is a confrontational approach, because even criticism can be well-received if there is a genuine attempt at problem-resolution, without outlandish accusations being flung at persons with no concrete proof.

It de-motivates persons who may be blameless of the accusations and who may be genuinely working for the general good. For instance, one cannot refute the fact that there have been corrupt practices in certain vital sectors, but if there is an accusation of misconduct of any sort happening within a certain sector, then statistics to prove this contention must be provided, not wild accusations without factual proof.

Also the perpetrators must be identified instead of a blanket condemnation of an entire sector. If this is done then perceptions would most likely be changed and the charges taken as genuine concern and not mischief-making.

Guyanese need to take charge of their individual and collective destiny, and the future of their children, by being responsible citizens striving to reach common goals for the common good, as the President has urged in his New Year’s message, because to continue expanding divisions within the nation would see us all sliding into a crevice leading straight to hell, when we can join forces to make a heaven of our country.