And history even closer

WHEN young and wild Cecil Desouza left Guyana while still in high school, he thought he had experienced all, or at least most, of what life could offer. But his first day in an American high school proved to be more shocking than he could have ever imagined. His Guyanese instincts and upbringing set off alarm bells as American children did not extend the same pleasantries and manners as they did back home. Countless other things would surprise Cecil, pushing him on a quest to find himself. He sought to understand his culture, country, and its ever-captivating past. Today, he says it’s important for everyone to understand who they are as people and as Guyanese.

You should not let his American accent fool you; Cecil Desouza is as Guyanese as anyone else. Born and raised in the village of Soesdyke, Cecil is the grandson of an indentured immigrant and the father of an American basketball player. His journey began even before he was born, with his family’s roots coming from the captivating continent of Asia. As Cecil stated, “My family is an interesting one, and they have deep roots, and I know my roots. My grandmother was an Indian; she came all the way from Kolkata as an indentured servant more than a hundred years ago. She came here and she had kids and so on, until they got to me.”

However, Guyana is home to diversity, and Cecil had an upbringing that was characterised by plenty of fun and its fair share of challenges. The constant hustle and bustle of the Soesdyke of today was not always the norm for the people of the village. The community was once quiet, easy-going, and what many consider mundane or boring by today’s standards. But the Soesdyke of decades ago had a host of different things to offer, and children of the time had a very different idea of what fun is. As Cecil explained, his childhood was as exciting as the development and growth of the community: relaxed, fun, and centred on the people of the village. “My childhood in Soesdyke was great. I grew up here and I went to school here; I did everything here. I had the best childhood here; we used to climb all these trees, swim in the canal and everything. Growing up in Soesdyke was great — the best.”

Guyana and the Caribbean, in essence, have a very polite way of interacting. Our ‘niceness’ extends to family, friends, and strangers alike and has even persisted, so much so that it has become a culture, almost a tradition, to be polite to everyone we meet. This behaviour goes beyond pleasantries and is seen as a way of respecting each other, especially our elders. This is perhaps why Cecil was shocked when he went out on his first day at an American school: students were not as nice to teachers, and the all-too-familiar ‘Good afternoon Aunty and Uncle’ was no longer there as a daily reminder that every Guyanese is, in some way, your family.

Cecil was understandably taken aback as a teenager in a new country that was nothing like his own, and it is still one of the many things he loves about his homeland. “There are not very many places where people would greet each other, especially not where I live over there, and that was a bit surprising, yes. But the biggest culture shock for me was seeing the children talk to the adults in their life, like parents and teachers.” This shock did not last long, however, and Cecil says he has come to grasp fully the customs of the United States and those of Guyana, always feeling more at home and far more at ease when back home under the warmth of the tropical sun.

Cecil has also taken a deep, vested interest in understanding his roots. Since childhood, his family’s past and people’s history have captivated him. It was not until he moved overseas that the significance of knowing who he is struck him. In a world as vast as this one, Cecil sought to understand himself. His dedication to understanding his family’s history and Guyana’s past inspires others to explore their own backgrounds. Cecil’s experience demonstrates that embracing one’s cultural heritage can be a source of strength and guidance, especially when facing the challenges of life in a foreign land.

He explained that most of his understanding of his past was garnered through various years of travel and research. “I took time and sat to look at, research, and understand my people, the past, and myself. And every man should do the same, not just Guyanese.” Cecil is a firm believer in the fact that self-understanding and comprehension are the keys to self-development. Now Cecil returns to Guyana quite often, seeking comfort and peace of mind in the warmth of Guyana and its beautifully diverse people.