`Make your mark for racial harmony'
by Abigail Kippins
YOUNG organisers from the `Rights of the Children' (ROC) group yesterday formally drew attention to their first billboard in their drive to make Guyana race free and urged political leaders to uphold certain standards of morality as the general elections approach.
President Bharrat Jagdeo was at the simple ceremony to mark the unveiling of ROC's first billboard on the lawn in front the east wing of the Guyana Stores building on Church Street, Georgetown.
The ROC, aimed at encouraging inter-racial friendship among young people, strengthening racial harmony in Guyana and resisting adult racism, has been working feverishly to attain its goals since it was established a year ago.
Continuing in its drive to make Guyana race free, the organisation yesterday launched another phase of its campaign "Holding on to Friendship".
The drive called `Make your mark for racial harmony' involved erecting billboards of thousands of painted handprints collected since July which will be installed throughout the country.
The decision to include the political leaders at the unveiling of the first billboard was regarded as crucial at this time when Guyana is preparing to go to the polls, officials said.
The ROC felt it necessary to stress the need for responsibility during the upcoming elections, a member said.
People's National Congress (PNC) leader, Mr Desmond Hoyte was absent but was represented by Mr Sherwood Lowe, a member of the PNC Central Executive.
Alliance For Guyana (AFG) representative, Dr Rupert Roopnaraine and Chairman of the Elections Commission, Major General Joe Singh were also there.
The political leaders committed themselves to conducting race free campaigns and participated in several chants initiated by the ROC youths.
They joined in chanting, "We need love, peace, unity cause this is our country", and "Race is out, love is in, get together and all join in".
The leaders had previously signed the `race free zone' pledge on behalf of their various parties.
At yesterday's ceremony, President Jagdeo noted that during general elections, people tend to lose focus of peace and goodwill. He noted that in some cases, this is due to irresponsibility during campaigning.
"In this upcoming election season, we the leaders have to pay particular attention to campaigning. We have to leave race and gender out", the President declared.
He noted that legislation should be instituted under which persons found practising discrimination should be charged.
The President congratulated the young group for its "wonderful works" while promising them the government's assistance towards promoting racial harmony.
He noted that racism in Guyana is definitely a problem that should be gotten rid of quickly since it affects the nation in many ways preventing it from fulfilling its true potential as a united nation.
"We should work towards getting rid of these negative influences, not only the young people but we must all commit ourselves...", the President declared.
He added that for Guyana to become a race free zone, the effort has to start at family levels since racism is disseminated to relatives in many households.
"The heads of the families should desist from creating negativity in regards to race in the minds of the children", he appealed.
Similarly, the media have to be responsible in their coverage, Mr Jagdeo said and suggested that they call out to the general public to live in harmony.
He noted that the country still has a long way to go to erase racism, but expressed his Cabinet's commitment to support the work of the ROC.
"I hope the campaign is successful and rest assured that you have my government's support..."
Lowe noted that Guyanese are beginning to show a willingness to live as a united people and referred to several villages where persons of different ethnic backgrounds live together as one.
It is during elections that racial tensions rise, he pointed out.
"Regardless of who we are, the source of racial tension in this country has to do with the way we conduct campaigns", Lowe stated.
He proposed that the ROC youths approach the various parties for pledges on how to conduct race free campaigns since "the political structures are preventing many of us from being what we should be and from building a race free zone."
He further urged the group to continue its struggle to change the political climate so the country can unleash all efforts to build a united Guyana.
Roopnaraine also congratulated the youths in their efforts to transform Guyana into a race free zone.
He, however, noted that "we are living in a world where ethnic assertiveness is a global phenomenon, where one group pickets against another with resolution a long way off".
He added, "hard work is vital if Guyana is to succeed and the nation has to be faithful to its own aspirations and pledge to work with you (ROC) in your aspirations."
Singh reiterated that yesterday's ceremony could not have been a better occasion for the various parties to communicate and deal with the negative aspects of the society.
He said the mural of hand painting should be preserved since it indicates that the children did not lose focus of what will point this country in the right direction. They are the ones who realise that peace and harmony is necessary, he said.
However, Singh stated that "this season (elections) is marked by madness, when reason deserts us and we behave like beasts".
He said the youths should be encouraged in their efforts towards ensuring that the negativity that plagues this country ceases.
Since its establishment, the ROC has generated thousands of pledges from different organisations, completed two murals, hosted several `rocathons' as it strove to attain its goal of creating a country of racial harmony.
There was also the impressive `Ethnic Vibrations', an event that allowed the various ethnic groups to wear whatever dress type they chose.
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