By Melina Harris

I WAS pleasantly surprised by the recent comments of APNU + AFC Minister of Agriculture Noel Holder, who announced his intentions to retire following the intentional exemption of his name from the APNU + AFC Nomination List.

As a child, I had rather lofty aspirations of one day becoming President of this great nation, however, as I matured in age, education and wisdom, I soon became very disenfranchised with the ideologies of government and politics, and quickly pursued other aspirations. Growing up in the UK, I observed that most government officials, and indeed most authority figures, were old, white, male and ‘upper class’. And as a result, the institutions, legislation and society became fashioned in such a way as to benefit that class of society: The bourgeoisie and upper-class Englishman.

Disenfranchised working-class young people, women and ethnic minority groups have had a long history of under-representation in governmental institutions. And today, these groups continue to endure the outcomes of “institutional racism”, and intersectional discrimination in today’s society, albeit with some progress in the opposite direction. I make this point to draw the comparison with Guyana, which is the actualisation of a very similar trend. In Guyana, the PPP’s 23-year tenure in office produced Cheddi and Janet Jagan, Sam Hinds, Donald Ramotar, and Bharrat Jagdeo, mostly older men belonging to certain key demographics.

The current Coalition government is demonstrably diverse in comparison to previous administrations; however its main figureheads are also older men. Certainly one might opine that the ruling elite have always maintained a certain status quo. Consequently, young people, and particularly young women, have never really been associated with the upper echelons of political office until quite late into the 20th Century. Young people, women, and ethnic minorities in general have often been described as apolitical, apathetic and otherwise disengaged with politics.
Younger citizens in Generation Y and Z, or Millennials, as we have come to be known, have grown up in the democratic era where we have been told that we have the power to elect our representatives who would govern the nation in the best interests of all citizens.

GOVERNANCE FOR US BY US
Democracy has been touted as governance for us by us, the latter being those we choose to elect to office. But there is a perception locally, and indeed overseas, that young people in particular do not engage with politics, and often protest against the State, mainly through demonstrations, protests and voter abstention. So, why has my generation become so disenfranchised with government and democracy? I believe diversity and representation are key factors in addressing the fallout.
Although coverage on the mainstream media is not forthcoming, governments and democracies the world over are under pressure from mass protests, where the vast majority of the participants are young, working-class women and ethnic minority people. Mass anti-government protests have been raging in France, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, Chile, Peru, Indonesia, Haiti, Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and India, the world’s largest democracy. Young people and other disenfranchised groups of society are challenging governmental and democratic norms. In order for these troubled societies to move forward, the voices of the disenfranchised must be heard.
Guyana is at an incredibly important and interesting juncture in the nation’s development and the politics of the past will not serve the nation well if all demographics of our society are not satisfied through inclusivity and representation, particularly the younger generations. Like many young Guyanese, I too, am often bored and frustrated when engaging with local politics and politicians.

NOTORIOUSLY EVASIVE

I find some politicians to be notoriously evasive when questioned. Why is it that politicians have been allowed to evade, deceive and lie to the very people who elected them to office? Thankfully, and in general, that culture seems to be on the decline, but could you imagine going to your doctor and not being able to get a straight answer about a diagnosis? Like doctors, politicians too, have a job to do, and their work must be scrutinised so that they may be held accountable, especially where financial matters are concerned.

This past week, an Online petition started to make its rounds on social media. The petition was created by Youth Advocate Dennis Glasgow, and called for the organisation of a Presidential Candidates Debate to take place prior to the March 2 elections. I am all for said debate to take place. If the newspapers are any indication of the political mud-slinging contest that might ensue, Guyanese the world over could be in for a treat. Could you imagine the scenes that would ensue? All jokes aside, the debate would be the perfect forum for meaningful discourse to take place. Party Manifestos could be dissected, and young people could pose questions about matters important to us.

I believe that in order for Guyana to move forward effectively, we need to elect candidates who are qualified, and demonstrate imagination and vision; qualities which are notably associated with young people as it were. In order for the government to be able to respond to all of the current and future challenges facing all sections of society and the economy, we need to hear more from and about young people from those vying for office, and indeed those electing them. I would encourage more dialogue from both sides of the fence.