Very proud of the way Guyanese immigrants celebrated America’s independence

Dear Editor,
Guyanese Americans joined in celebrating America’s independence from Britain on July 4 -an event that occurred on this day in 1776. With the holiday falling on a Thursday, many people, including Guyanese Americans, took the Friday off for an extended weekend, spending it as a mini-vacation.
Many travelled with families with the holiday period considered one of the busiest in the year.
Although people had fun for the period, the meaning of the day should not be lost during the celebrations at beaches, resorts and places of entertainment. July 4 is not just a holiday to have a great time, but to also reflect on its significance.
On July 4, some 237 years ago, the 13 British colonies in America united with one another and declared that they had broken away from Mother England and formed their own nation – the colonies would no longer be under foreign subjugation – calling their nation the United States of America.
The celebration is not only about the declaration of independence, but also the limits on powers placed on the government whose purpose is to “secure” peoples’ rights. The role of government is to protect people so that they can enjoy their rights.
As others have pointed out, the declaration outlines the principles of the government – the rights of the individual come first. The very legitimacy of government has depended on how well it truly has safeguarded the rights of the individual. Government has limited power and people have a right to remove their government. The peoples’ rights cannot be taken away or curtailed.
The declaration of independence paved the way for millions, including some half a million Guyanese people, who came much later than other immigrant groups, to come and settle in the U.S. to experience the American dream. Many other territories also used the American independence to struggle for their own independence.
On Independence Day, Americans of all backgrounds, especially Guyanese nationals, demonstrate patriotism by hoisting the flag and partaking in traditional festivities, joining the annual parade and watching fireworks or having their own fireworks.
The Declaration of Independence has proclaimed the rights to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” – all of which pertain to the individual, specifically to an individual’s freedom of action and movement and the right to choose a government. It means that every individual has a right to his own independent life and that one’s life belongs to oneself, not to others, such as dictatorial politicians, to use as they see fit as happened under the dictatorship in Guyana.
Coming as immigrants, Guyanese Americans show their pride in the new nation they call home by participating in activities relating to nationalism, cheering the nation in battle and being part of the American state.
For Guyanese Americans, July 4 has meant opportunities to lead a more prosperous life, to acquire freedom and to get an opportunity to pursue one’s goals, with limited inhibitions, and to realize dreams – a car, home and higher education, among others – that were virtually impossible in one’s homeland.
It is not surprising, therefore, that every Guyanese and Caribbean immigrant is glad and grateful to come to America. But it is essential that people think of what it means to live in America and to live responsibly.
For many, especially those who immigrate from former dictatorships, like Forbes Burnham’s Guyana, July 4 has given people a taste of freedom and to own material possessions unimaginable in their native lands at one time.
Everything, therefore, should be done to cherish and to protect this freedom.
July 4 is a patriotic day and it is heartening to see so many Guyanese and Caribbean people being absorbed into the celebration. It is a day people fly the American flag and think about their country, not forgetting what happened to them during the 28 years of dictatorship under the People’s National Congress (PNC).
Yours truly,
Vishnu Bisram