Spring appears to be in the air in Guyana. Not the spring of the northern climates ushering in warmer weather and a greening of the landscape, and not the “Arab Spring” with its attendant violence. Spring in Guyana is defined by the unification of the opposition leaders and through that unity, the revival of the Guyanese vision of a better future of peace, harmony and prosperity for all Guyanese now, and in the future.
Throughout the land, from the Pakarima’s peaks, to the grasslands of the Rupununi to the “sea-washed sun-kissed sands” of the coast, to the sweltering forests of the heartland, Guyanese slowly are awakening from their slumber to join the drumbeat of those who seek change. Change in the way the fortunes of Guyana are being exploited.
Guyanese in their 20s and younger are constantly being told of “difficult days” in the past, but can only relate to the “difficult days of the present”. Many have over at least the last two decades witnessed and endured depravity and struggles with their families. But even as they have lived in those times, they have also seen via the internet the possibilities that lie in the future.
The youth have managed to engage their parents who may have been viewing the world through ancient prisms and slowly, the momentum of the promise of change has begun to bloom like the blossoms of beautiful trees emerging from winter. The splash of colors of the multi-ethnic Guyanese society is seen across the landscape of the political meetings of the APNU-AFC collation and Guyanese like never before are attracted to the drumbeat of the message of “it is time”.
Young and old alike are trekking to see and listen, to David Granger and Moses Nagamootoo. The crowd was slow to gather in the early days, but as the momentum builds and the coalition finds their stride, the message of unity is spreading across the land.
It is heartwarming that the message of togetherness, unity and inclusiveness is providing Guyanese with the hope that Guyana’s better days are ahead. Sugar cane farmers, rice farmers, and other agricultural workers along with young people from the University of Guyana, the unemployed and the underemployed, the business owners and government workers alike are all beginning to come out in significant numbers.
Spring is in the air; "The Guyanese Spring" - As Guyana pulsates to the Eddie Neblett song “Love and unity, peace and harmony”
Guyanese Spring could be the example to the world that defines political, social and economic change by multi-denominational citizens joining forces peacefully to recapture their country by the ballot box. The blueprint is set for people of the world including the Middle East, Israel and the Palestinian territories.
We can do it Guyana, it is indeed time!