DAILY we are reminded of the nation’s most precious asset: our children. Whether in the home as sons and daughters and grandchildren; as we go past the many school playgrounds throughout our coastlands and regions, and through various television programmes, whether educational, religious or cultural, Guyana’s children are beautifully portrayed, innocently playing and having fun, enjoying the mirth of their youth.

Last Friday’s cultural performance at D’Urban Park as part of the 52nd Independence Anniversary celebrations was a truly beautiful and magnificent diverse cultural performance, done by a reported 2,500 of the nation’s school children. It was an innovative, national artistic spectacle which those who were present in the stands can consider themselves very privileged to have watched, inclusive of their own children and grandchildren displaying their God-given talent.

How many of us, when watching children, inclusive of our own, think of what kind of country we will bequeath to them? Of course, this is taking into consideration already plans for their future growth and development, most naturally spearheaded by plans for a good education, that will provide for a life of material comfort. Such is good, as far as taking their rightful places in the milieu of being responsible citizens. But in what kind of country, given our history of race and its challenges, that would have given rise to periods of communal strife that has led to fear, and suspicion? Are such considerations ever part of our thinking as far as a future Guyana for our children are concerned?
It is always said that youth is the future; and there are so many variations of this phrase, that we cannot claim to escape what it should mean as adults, whether as parents, guardians, especially.
But such takes greater significance and meaning in a country that is as multicultural and diverse as our own. It is about preparing our children to appreciate our differences, accepting them, while respecting the right to such individuality as Guyanese. It must not mean, using culture and customs to disrespect each other because of the colour of one’s skin, or the texture of one’s hair, under the guise of religious-cultural education.

In subjecting our children to such cultural poison, is to begin to imprison their young, innocent, and free minds to an abyss, and their eyes to a dark cloud, that have been our own national experience for most of our lives. And rather than letting them build bonds of genuine friendship from their tender years, as some of us would have done when young, we begin to subvert their impressionable minds, often leading them to a distorted interpretation of life, and of humanity – the dangerous extremes, as they begin to claim their place in society.

Our task as parents and adults, is to guide our children not along the dangerous, narrow lanes of hatred for their fellow men, but rather allow them the right and liberty of the bonds of youthful friendship.
For our current generation of political leaders, of all shades, it is about seeking in an urgent manner, solutions to the highly contentious nature of our politics that are incited by those who continuously appeal to race through the subtle use of cultural diversity for selfish ends. The latter collective cannot hope to continue in this self–suicidal vein without inflicting mental harm on the psyche of our young, even the children of their political supporters, and on the nation in the process. For if we believe that our children are as daft as not having a basic understanding/realisation of the daily dynamics of national life then we are highly mistaken. They do, as can be gleaned from their little conversations. For since we of this generation would have witnessed early turbulence, then we must not allow our current young who will transition to the next generation of adulthood to have the same experience. If we do not, then the latter will have the right to damn us.

Ours must be the current task of settling our many differences with lasting solutions that will be a guiding light for our future generation of leaders, who are among the current very young. Why burden them with problems which with political will can be remedied today? It explains the current existence of a Ministry of Social Cohesion; and, again its relevance is so necessary and encouraging, as was illustrated by the recently held second edition of Harmony Village. It shows how similar we are as Guyanese, and that despite our fractious politics being true Guyanese is achievable

The task of a better future for our young is already underway, but it is the political landscape with all of the dangerous pot holes that must be filled, for a future unified and peaceful country for our young; for they must inherit no less.