SUSPICIONS and mistrust whenever an election period comes around, is all too common in Guyana, even among persons of different races, who otherwise enjoyed good relationships for many years.

It is with this in mind that the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has organised a two-night show called “This is Us” at the National Cultural Centre (NCC) with a basic message of preserving tolerance and peace, despite the challenges that elections can bring.
The show is being directed by ERC Commissioner Neaz Subhan and tickets, already exhausted, were obtained from the NCC for free.

The gala opening is on Saturday March 9, with one more show on Sunday March 10. The one-of-a- kind Guyanese play, with a mixed cast of almost a dozen characters, represents the hurdles faced by two neighbouring families of the two major ethnic groups.
Members of both families display qualities of trust and togetherness in everyday life but their relationship changes during the elections period.

The play has its share of humour which the Guyanese audience would welcome, however, according to the ERC. “Questions often avoided are brought into the open; what we perceive of each other and how we overcome the historical divisiveness of elections, while converting our strengths and weaknesses to achieve togetherness as one nation,” the ERC has expressed concerning the show.”

The Commission believes that several messages in the play are relevant and challenges every Guyanese to ponder their sense of purpose for a united Guyana, noting “the premise of the play is that we cannot speak of coming together without speaking to each other, while addressing inherent issues that lead to the harbouring of suspicions, stereotypes, mistrust and divisiveness. It is frank and honest in this much needed discourse, helping to carve that challenging path to the infusion of harmony and unity.”

Through its honest portrayal of the historical divisiveness of elections, it is intended to highlight hypocrisy and foster and support efforts to promote harmony, through direct examination of related basic societal factors which believably contribute to suspicion and a sense of mistrust among Guyanese.

“Relevant questions, and which are often avoided, are what we perceive of each other; how we relate to each other; how do we overcome the historical divisiveness of elections and how our inter-dependency and commonalities are assets for togetherness? Its underlying theme is why Guyanese cannot afford to be disunited and the redounding benefits for current and future generations,” the ERC further said.

The show which will climax in enthusiastic celebrations in keeping with patriotism and togetherness, offers crucial impetus for the realisation of the spirit of the national motto, the Commission expressed.

The play forms part of the ERC’s efforts to promote harmony and good relations, while at the same time allowing the opportunity to address inhibiting factors. The Commission believes that especially in the current context, the messages therein are pertinent and timely.