INHERENT in this nation’s formation on May 26, 1966, is a land comprising six peoples. All six peoples on this date would have emerged with unique strands of historical experiences. This notwithstanding, among all groups are shared common experiences, and strong bonds that have been established out of these diverse experiences to make us one. Our quest for humanity, foremost, has evolved out of experiences of inequality. Where a level playing field was created in identifying all as equal, though it could not erase past horrid experiences, it nonetheless creates the space to see each other as one, and treat each other with respect and dignity.

This is the essence of humanity, and which a new nation, in 1966 set out to achieve. Guyanese should continue to engage in seeking knowledge of the individual and collective self as far as possible, including what inspired our nation, its symbols, and contributed to making us who we are. It is that in 2016, designated ‘Year of the Renaissance’, efforts are made, even as historical knowledge is acquired, to examine ways, including policies, laws and programmes to deepen and strengthen our oneness. These should not be divorced from seeking knowledge of, and being influenced by world affairs which also play impacting roles. Recent global events, be they the war against terrorism, terrorist attacks, race relations between white police officers and black citizens, ethnic differences, clashes in the Middle East, Europe and elsewhere continue to serve as lessons for us here, as people reach out to each other, unshackled by past horrid experiences, in the spirit of humanity.
In the affected areas, where the bigoted and those stuck in the past hold to their preferred views, persons from both the victims and aggressor groups are speaking out against atrocities, and demanding actions that would bring about accountability, justice and fair play in the society for all.

In this environment, it is not unlikely to see a white person speaking out against an atrocity meted out to a black person, inasmuch as part of their historical experiences saw blacks enslaved and treated as subhuman by the white race. It is not unusual to see blacks call on fellow blacks to avoid acts of aggression against whites. Equally, it is not unusual to find Muslims condemning acts of terrorism perpetrated on fellow Muslims or non-Muslims.

Conversely, non-Muslims are also calling on fellow non-Muslims not to hate the Muslim community for acts of extremism. This is the world in which we live today, and it is a world Guyana cannot isolate herself from. In this same world, Guyana operates as a Land of Six Peoples, and through birth, marriage and other forms of association, there have been the fusion of the various historical cultures, which today we know as the Guyanese culture, i.e.

lived experiences. To ask any number of Guyanese if they see themselves as one nation, it is the belief that the answer will be a resounding yes. But to ask any number of Guyanese if they think they are treated as equals, with dignity, respect, opportunity and justice in this society, the answers will vary, among which will be some resounding nos. Digging deeper into the various reasons, some supported by evidence, no doubt, will inform the negative responses. The negative responses would undoubtedly not be based on being Guyanese, but of how one is treated in society by fellow Guyanese and the managers of the system of government, whether such perception is real or perceived. The varied treatments have no bearing on being one nation, for the purpose of birth, identity or historical experiences of forebears, but that of the here and now. Guyanese don’t generally dislike being Guyanese, and being born in a Land of Six Races; what they generally dislike are the negatives with which the country is associated, such as poor race-relations, poor government, crime, poor performance of the economy, and so forth. Fixing shortcomings has no bearing, nor are they reliant on distancing self from the concept of one nation. Fixing these is reliant on strong institutions and leaders, and the society being prepared to holding them accountable, regardless. Guyanese need these as assurances, and our energy should be channeled towards making them possible, for there exists no reputable contention about our oneness as a nation, but strong contentions about the manner in which citizens are treated, and their affairs managed.