GUYANA’S evolutionary historical political matrix has produced two political “boxes” – the Peoples’ Progressive Party (PPP) and the Peoples’ National Congress (PNC). The PPP Box representing the expected norm of Indian Guyanese conduct in matters political and social. Similarly, the PNC Box representing the expected norm of African Guyanese conduct in matters political and social. And into these boxes have our people dutifully marched in accordance with each respective established paradigm. I need not catalog here the resulting sad chronicle of internecine racial conflicts, and their consequences, that have visited our beautiful Guyana because of these two “boxes”.

From the perspective of this writer, neither the PPP nor the PNC are racist political parties per se. But their having established boxes, an unintended consequence inevitably followed – national polarisation along racial lines. And we have now reached a point in our history where enlightened leaders and supporters in each box realise that the way forward for a prosperous Guyana future lies in the breaking down of the partitions of racial animosity that have separated Guyanese, and the forging of bonds of unity, and mutual respect and appreciation.
But there is a problem for these enlightened men and women in both parties – how to get out the boxes into which they have placed themselves and others? For any enlightened “Lone Ranger” who stands up in one of these boxes and dares to suggest seeking harmony, unity, and a practical working relationship with the occupants of the other box would be immediately shot down by their programmed associates and accused of betrayal – or worse!
It is time for the emergence of a mechanism that provides a safe way out of these boxes for the daring leaders and their supporters who want to bring about a healed and unified Guyana. It is time for the emergence of a Guyana Integration Movement – not a new political party, but an organic body, a group of catalytic individuals: a movement with a singular objective – the integration of a racially divided Guyana.
Guyana possesses women with the leadership capability and caliber – intellectual and intestinal – necessary to lead this movement of integration and national healing. All mothers in Guyana – African Guyanese and Indian Guyanese – want the same things for their children. They want them to have a good education; enjoy good health; have opportunities to fulfil and realise their ambitions and potential; live in an environment free from fear and violence. Indeed, “If mothers ran the world, they will not send their sons and daughters into battle.”

And if mothers took political charge in Guyana, they will not send their sons and daughters out to kill and rob people just because they are of another race; they will not engage in spiteful political actions while Guyana’s development languishes.

In fact, if mothers took political charge in Guyana the tone of our national life and our economic development will be dramatically transformed for the better – for they will put the interests of Guyana’s children first, instead of engaging in juvenile schoolyard political bullyism. You see, mothers, more than anyone else, know that the future of their children is inextricably bound up with the present and future development of the nation.

All mothers and all women of Guyana, this your challenge: Step forward, take hold of the banner of leadership, shake up the Guyana body politic, and initiate this National Integration Movement.
The feminine energy is now ascendant all across Planet Earth. This is your time. Take charge! And let the national healing begin!
Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan is your inspiration!

WILBERT M. STEPHENSON