PHILIPSBURG:--- As Guyanese at home and around the world observe the country’s 59th independence anniversary from under British colonial rule, Honorary Consul Kim Lucas-Felix is calling on all to unite.
“We, Guyanese, have the capacity to be united. Do not let the ugliness of racial and political prejudices separate us. We are strong enough to break the scourge of disunity. We are intelligent enough to recognise that each person must be free to follow his/her political ideology without fear of persecution or social isolation.”
In her message to Guyanese in the diaspora, Lucas-Felix celebrated the strides the country has made in the areas of democracy, infrastructure and economic growth, but she lamented the racial divide that often infiltrates the fabric of the only English-speaking country on the continent of South America.
She is urging all to always work together towards one common good and remember that a nation divided cannot stand. Alluding to the border controversy with Venezuela, the Honorary Consul said now, more than ever, Guyanese must stand together as one people, one nation with one destiny (the country’s motto), for there is strength in unity and there is power in love.
She credited founding fathers, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Cheddi Jagan, for winning the country’s independence on May 26, 1966.
“It has been almost six decades since two visionary leaders - Jagan and Burnham - won our freedom from British rule, and videos of that night when the Union Jack was lowered and the Golden Arrow Head was raised for the first time, the two fathers of our nation embraced, showing the world that political differences aside, they were both happy that colonial rule was over. We were a free country!
“Many of us may not have been there to witness it, but it is the message that I hope will resonate with all of us today as we reflect on where we came from and where we are today, understanding that there is a lot that we have to be thankful for, and it is unity and love that will keep us strong.
Both Jagan and Burnham fought for independence out of love for our country and love for the people of Guyana, and as history will show us, since that historic moment and despite the challenges over the years, it was a decision that has seen our nation grow from strength to strength.
Today, we have a lot that we can boast of. When we in the diaspora return home from time to time we are amazed at the development that we see. Newly-built highways and bridges, housing projects and cash injections, improvements in education, and a myriad of modern amenities, to name a few.
Just recently, a study found that Guyana is the only country out of 186 in the world that can fully feed its population. This means that we do not have to rely on imports, as our agricultural industry produces everything to meet the dietary needs of the entire population.
But one area that needs improvement, Lucas-Felix said, is national unity. This is an area that all Guyanese have the power to shape and the ability to change, for it starts with each person individually.
“The thousands of Guyanese in the diaspora today understand that when we left our homeland to seek a better life for ourselves and our children, family was no longer only about blood. Many of us left our families behind and had to depend on a neighbour, a new friend, someone else’s mother or father, brother or sister for support and in these times, we did not look at whether that person was black, Indian, Amerindian, or Chinese…all we saw was someone on whom we can depend. We formed new families, blind to colour, race, creed or political affiliation.
So this is my message to you. As we look to the future, remember from whence we came. Those of us who now call other countries home, let us keep the legacy of Guyana alive by teaching our children and grandchildren about the ‘Land of Many Waters’ - our national anthem, patriotic songs, our heroes, cuisine, traditions, respecting our leaders, and most importantly, living together in love and unity.
While we are doing this, never forget to be grateful to your host country that opened its doors to all of us in the diaspora. Always respect the laws of the land and the people who welcomed us with open arms. But through it all, never forget our ‘Dear Land of Guyana’. On behalf of the Government of Guyana, Happy Independence and long live all 83,000 square miles of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana. Remember, Essequibo belongs to Guyana!