IT is time we start telling ourselves the truth. I am referring to M. Maxwell’s letter, (Kaieteur News/Oct, 2010). Guyana has come a long way since the 1950. This is a country that, like all others, allows its people freedom of movement.
Yes, a significant amount of persons migrated during the 1950 but contrary to the image this hasty generalization seeks to portray, Guyana is not, was not, nor will it ever be in the future, the only country that experiences migration. It is up to the individual to decide the country in which she/he prefers to live.
Any individual rationally choosing, would naturally select what they believe is ‘greener pasture’, i.e., the option that best suits their lifestyle, cultural experiences, and the dreams and aspirations that they have for their life.
It is extremely arrogant to condemn Guyanese for migrating.
People from all over the world, especially developing countries migrate. During this same period, and I should inject that this country has experienced different governments since, the migration rates of India, Jamaica, and other Caribbean and developing countries have staggeringly skyrocketed.
The World Bank indicated that in 2005, India’s international migration stock was 5,886,870, while net migration for 2005 was at -1,540,000. For Jamaica, the international migration stock for 2005 was 27,178, while net migration stood at -76,076 (2005). In 2005, Guyana’s international migration stock, according to World Bank Indicators was 9,984, with net migration at -40,000. And like the rest of the Caribbean, Latin America and the developing world, Guyana experiences inflows of migration from the rest of the world.
What is important about migration is not that people choose to explore and experience other cultures, but that they never forget where they come from, and make tangible contributions to improve their country of birth.  Remittances contribute to a significant portion of Guyana’s GDP. Worker’s remittances receipts reflect US$273,900,000 in BoP 2008.
Guyanese should also not be attacked for making constitutionally protected, personal individual choices. Come Election Day, the party that an individual decides to vote for is only that individual’s decision to make. Democracy, that prevailing principle which we have come to know, love and respect, allows us to exercise this civil right. I will also emphasize here, that Census 2002 declared that there is neither a 54% Indian nor 54% African Guyanese population.
Hence, it is complete and utter stupidity to insinuate that race determines which party wins the election. Assuming that because the color of a man’s skin is black does not automatically make him a PNC or AFC supporter.
And let’s assume that he does support the PNC or the AFC; we can never know his reasons unless he discloses them to us. Likewise, in the case of the same man supporting the PPP/C; or for that matter, if this man was instead Indian and chooses to vote for the PPP/C, or to give his support to the PNC or AFC. We cannot hastily generalize and condemn based on flawed assumptions.
The truth of the matter is that in Guyana, government is chosen for the people by the people.