By Professor Daizal Samad
This new weekly column is meant to explore issues that concern Berbice and Guyana. While we shall focus on specific topical issues in Guyana, readers are assured that the topics shall be interesting and shall relate to all of the citizens of our nation. For what affects one citizen affects all citizens. I also promise that my language shall be clear and simple, like all good language should be.
My opinions will not be guided by self-interest nor governed by a bloated ego. This column shall not be about gossip and who said what to me in private circumstances. And I shall be clear about my sources, without sacrificing confidentiality.
The one ruling principle in this column shall be to write the TRUTH at all times, regardless of the consequences. And truth always stops being the truth when it is twisted to fit some agenda, whether that agenda be personal or political. This column shall be about important issues affecting real people living real lives. It will deal with ideas as well.
What do real people think about things and issues? What ideas do we have to develop Berbice and all parts of Guyana? How can these be implemented in lasting ways and in ways that give to Guyana and its citizens rather than take from Guyana and Guyanese? How may our leaders lead in better, more efficient and more conscientious ways? How may we as one people put aside our differences and speak with each other in polite tones rather than quarrel endlessly? How do we heal our past wounds and relieve our current pains? How do we bring up our young to be respectful and thoughtful? How can we educate them not only in academic ways but also in the ways of the world? What examples are we setting for those that are to follow us in a short time? How do we show our young that which they MUST see: their own possibilities and potentials? How do we create a system which yields great teachers and greater learners? How do we treat our talent in ways that make them want to stay and serve their nation while improving themselves and enriching their own lives? How can we assist our farmers to produce more while earning more for themselves? How can we make life better for those that anoint the backbone of our economy with their sweat: sugar cane harvesters? How do we put in place educational and systematic plans to assist our police force to “serve and protect without fear or favour, malice or ill-will”? How do we reward all professions in monetary and other ways? How do we create law and order out of lawlessness and disorder? How do we keep our roads, homes, and businesses safe from carelessness and crime? How can we build better schools and better universities that our children may be better individuals and citizens? How can we become a nation of great sportsmen and women again? How do we arrest the scourge of domestic violence, child abuse and drug abuse? How do we create a nation in which our most vulnerable – the disabled and aged and weak and wounded – find comfort and safe havens? How do we exploit our enormous resources in sensible and sustainable ways, in order that we care for our environment while caring for ourselves? How can we have better environments that encourage and attract better businessmen and women? In what business and research areas would our nation gain most for the betterment of all? Above all, how can we create one nation under God and with the rule of law and the observance of those laws? A Republic of Guyana in which neighbour lives with neighbour, a nation in which there is respect and tolerance for all religions, and in which we live in harmony and celebrate the success of those near and far from us.
A nation in which racist sentiments are banished from our hearts and our thoughts. A Guyana in which we can all believe, and a nation that believes in each and every one of its law-abiding citizens. One in which each citizen is special and cherished.
These are important questions.
We shall ask them and have them answered or try to answer them. These many questions lie at the heart of development for all regions, and for Guyana as a whole entity.
To be sure, I will voice my opinions. But my opinions will be informed ones. I shall not compare Guyana with places to which I have never been or which I know nothing about.
And those opinions will not be based on what I see on television as small pictures – sound bites. My opinions will be based on reason, logic, deep reading, wide experience, and love for this nation.
I shall not speak about what I do not know nor about places that I have not been, nor work that I have not done. That would be shallow, empty and pretentious.
I would not pretend to be an expert on things about which I have no experience or expertise or knowledge. And I shall not talk down to people.
If I have to seek opinions on matters, I shall do so from people who know. And I am aware that there are more people who know more things than I will ever know. But I will call upon so-called ordinary people who know more about pain and suffering than I ever will. And I will ask my many professorial colleagues on five continents to give of their experience and expertise.
This column will be calm and reasonable. And it will never be written in this column foolish things like, “Guyanese must be stupid if…” or “Berbicians are not foolish enough to think that…” That kind of looking down on people will not happen here! The reverse psychology is too primitive.
So I invite Berbice and Guyana to read and respond.
I invite our citizens to read, to speak and to be heard. And feel free to ask questions of me. Be assured you will get a truthful and straight-forward answer!
