In the spirit of the great Marcus Garvey, who famously urged African descendants with the words, “Up, you mighty people, accomplish what you will,” I say to my African Guyanese brothers and sisters: Up you mighty people! We must live in this nation, not as beggars pleading for scraps, but as rightful heirs to equality, respect, and justice.
Our story in Guyana is one of resilience and brilliance. Against all odds, we have prioritized the education of our children, knowing that knowledge is the most powerful tool for breaking the chains of oppression. Despite the challenges stacked against us, we have cultivated a legacy of excellence in education, business, and culture. Now, more than ever, we must redouble our efforts to uphold that legacy and build a future of dignity and strength.
We must instill in our children the confidence to question injustice wherever they encounter it. Let them know they are worthy, intelligent, and capable of greatness. We must encourage them to stand tall, to speak truth to power, and to reject the idea that they are less than anyone. Teach them their history, remind them of their forebears’ sacrifices, and inspire them to continue the journey toward liberation and equity.
The oppressive PPP regime thrives on humiliation, seeking to undermine our dignity and destroy our resolve. But we will not demean ourselves before them. We are a people of greatness, and no regime can take that away. Let the world see us as a proud and unified community, standing together in solidarity and refusing to bow to injustice.
Economic power is a cornerstone of independence. Let us support each other’s businesses, even if it means paying a little more. Circulating wealth within our community strengthens us all. Let us also give generously to our charities, ensuring that those who need help can find it within our own network of support. Together, we can build a foundation of economic resilience that no oppressor can shake.
We must replace brutality with kindness, starting in our own homes. Speak kind words to one another. Encourage each other. Lift each other up. Stop the cycle of harsh discipline and brutalization of our children—it only perpetuates the harm inflicted upon us. Instead, let us nurture their spirits and empower them to soar.
Let us also love each other openly and unapologetically. Build positive networks of support, collaboration, and deva. We are stronger together, and our unity is our greatest weapon against those who seek to divide and conquer us.
To the African Guyanese in leadership positions—managers, police officers, soldiers—remember where you come from. Do not punish your own people on behalf of oppressors. Recall the prayers of your grandmothers and the sweat of your grandfathers. Stand for justice, fairness, and dignity, and refuse to be tools of oppression. Your community needs you to lead with courage and conscience.
The PPP’s goals are clear: they seek to destroy us and take what is rightfully ours, including our lands. We must not let them succeed. Land is legacy, and legacy is power. Protect what belongs to us with all your might, and ensure that it is passed down to future generations.
Let this be a clarion call to all African Guyanese and allies of good will; rise up and take your place. Strengthen your families, build your communities, and protect your heritage. Do not let the oppression of the present define the future. We have survived worse, and we will prevail again.