Dear Editor
YESTERDAY, Easter Monday, Guyanese of all religious beliefs, ethnic backgrounds, cultural persuasions, and economic strata converged in our country’s open spaces to fly kites, have picnics, eat, drink, converse, and socialise.

Citizens from across Guyana’s diverse spectrum joined the Christian community to participate in the celebration of Easter — Christianity’s most sacred observance. And, as is the case at other religious and secular celebrations, there was little evidence that we live in a divided society. While the occasional spat is to be expected — kite strings are bound to become entangled — there were likely little indication that ours is a country otherwise characterised by pervasive ethnic cleavages that are reinforced and artificially maintained by those who stand to gain from national division. The fact is, Guyana would be a much better place if we could maintain a spirit of oneness, foster an atmosphere of harmonious camaraderie, and cultivate a sense of unity all year round.

Yes, Guyana is a land of many cultures. The first inhabitants of the land — Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples — originally comprised no fewer than twelve distinct peoples, or, as we say, tribes. At the present time, nine tribes remain. In the last few hundred years, Europeans, Africans, Chinese, East Indians, and other Asians, and, more recently, Cubans, Venezuelans, and Brazilians have been among the many peoples who have settled in Guyana.

Unfortunately, while our diversity should be a source of strength, it has been instead used by some toxic politicians to divide and separate us, thereby, preventing us from realising our full potential as a single nation with a common destiny.

Guyana’s current Head of State, though, is evidently committed to reversing that undesirable state of affairs. During his Easter Message on April 20, President David Granger said, “The Easter celebration has become a manifestation of social cohesion. It is a time when the barriers of class and ethnicity are broken and replaced by the bonds of goodwill. The Easter holiday ? the longest weekend in our country’s calendar ? brings Guyanese together, at home and in the Diaspora, in fun-filled family reunions, kite-flying, picnics, regattas, rodeos and other outdoor activities.

“The Easter celebration reminds us of this country’s geographic and demographic diversity. The Rodeo takes place in the Rupununi savannahs of the south, populated mainly by indigenous people. The Regatta is held at Bartica which is located at the confluence of the great Essequibo, Mazaruni and Cuyuni rivers. Kite-flying across our country is an ancient practice brought here by Chinese immigrants. Easter celebrates our diversity. . . The Easter celebration allows us to promote greater unity. We must use this sacred festival to reconcile ourselves not only to God, but to one another by fostering a spirit of respect.”

The reality that our diversity should make us stronger is self-evident. On May 5, 2018, the President, speaking at the Indian Arrival Day celebration, noted that Guyana has always been, and will always be a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-religious country, a fact that should make citizens proud. President Granger said, “Our diversity is an asset, not a liability. We are proud of the variegated tapestry of ethnicity. We are proud of our shared past as we plan our common future.”His Excellency added, “Our destinies are intertwined forever in our nation’s future. We must swim together or sink separately.”

The administration’s dedication to national unity and commonality of purpose was evident even before it was elected to office; A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), one half of the APNU+AFC coalition, even embodies that objective in its name. One of the coalition’s first acts after assuming office was to establish a ministry dedicated to healing our social wounds, bridging our cultural gaps, and building a cohesive society — the Ministry of Social Cohesion.
Minister of Social Cohesion, Dr. George Norton, shares the president’s vision. In April of last year, Minister Norton asserted, “We all are Guyanese; proud and patriotic. I do firmly believe that unity does not necessarily lie in uniformity. Unity is all about variety… We deserve to be exposed to different perspectives and ways of life… We must understand and respect the belief and customs of our fellow brothers and sisters.”
As Guyanese from all walks of life celebrate Easter together, we should take note of government’s position on the subject of unity. We should also think for ourselves and decide which one is better: strife, quarrelling, and division, or, on the other hand, unity, togetherness, and brotherhood. We,  perhaps, especially our Christian brothers and sisters, should reflect too on the reason for Easter and, perhaps, think about what the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10, “I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

Regards
Mark DaCosta