Guyanese Online

 — By Lear Matthews

“Dear Guyana, you’re now an open door
You are attracting droves of folks to your shores
You’re ranked number one for the eco tours
A lot has changed since oil is dripping from your pores”

(Ronald Daniels, Guyanese-Online 12/24/19).

The question that belies the observation in this opening poetic verse is to what extent does the attracted “droves of folks” include the Guyanese Diaspora? Following the pomp and ceremony of Guyana’s 50^th independence anniversary in 2015 attended by thousands in the Diaspora, there has been much reflection on that unprecedented milestone in Guyanese history by those residing within and outside that nation-state. So too is contemplative attention now warranted about the ramifications of recent gas and oil discovery.       

The independence anniversary visit by persons residing in the  Diaspora may have stimulated serious thinking about returning ‘home’ or at least increased their remittance contributions. For some it was merely a fleeting nostalgic moment of euphoric excitement. For others, without rational thought about inevitable changes in old local forms, structures and cultural norms, re-migration may have been seriously considered. Huggins (2015) refers to “an almost mythic energy of the home country that pulls its citizens back”.  For others it could have been their last visit because they worry about the development prospects of their beloved country under any regime. Nevertheless, the imminent burgeoning of an energy sector may influence or modify decisions about diaspora engagement and prospects of returning ‘home’, particularly after President Granger in his Petroleum Day Proclamation declaration: “The good life for all beckons” .

However influenced, motivated or whatever their assessment and decision about returning, there are some important realities regarding the lived experience of those in the diaspora and the concept of ‘home’.  Reported figures such as numbers and rate of emigration represent significant, albeit sobering migration demographics, affirming the need to seriously ponder the role of the diaspora in the anticipated social, economic and political transformation in Guyana. There are some less measurable, but yet important facts and outcomes of the immigrant experience. Perhaps more pervasive than some would admit, there is a deep-seated desire to return to the home country, to ‘give back’. It is a harkening which may have been heightened by prospects of unprecedented change.

Assessing the push/pull paradigm of migration (i.e. factors that cause people to leave their country of origin and those that draw them to the recipient country), presents an opportunity for reflection on the implications for the Guyanese diaspora.  Much has been written about the negative effects of increasing out-migration, and the impact on development. However, the ‘petro factor’ may be the dawning of a new era when Guyanese immigrants, often described as an ‘untapped human resource’, will be drawn back to their homeland, physically or symbolically. Would any of the enthusiastic 2015 Golden Jubilee celebrants become less ambivalent or think seriously of returning to their homeland? Only time will tell. It is to be assumed that while on their brief sojourn of jubilation in 2015, they recognized the gaps, hear the frustrations, see the improvements and potential, gauged how they may be able to contribute and realize that the challenges are not intractable. But that was before the news about the anticipated benefits from gas and oil.

Somewhere between the new reality of foreseeable wealth and the existence of age-old tensions, the diaspora will try to manage an interesting predicament. Some view the impending changes as an unprecedented opportunity to contribute to the advancement of their country of birth, albeit with cautious optimism. However, this could forge the desire to return unconditionally if not impulsively, which may be a function more of sentimental connectivity  (emotional attachment) than practical, rational consideration. In this regard, there have been reports that soon after the 2015 elections some in the diaspora began making plans to return.  It is not clear to what extent any such motivated re-migration occurred, a phenomenon not unusual with the ebb and flow of elections. However, it would be better to have a more reasoned, deliberative  approach involving the identification of needs and skills. This should emanate from both potential returnees and the government, ensuring a clear understanding of skills gap and needs including required certification to work on specific projects. Input from the Guyanese consulates abroad and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs providing coherent policy and procedures, is essential.

For many, the decision to return is deeply personal with economic implications and for some it will be political. One may speculate that Guyanese immigrants have been reluctant to return ‘home’, for various reasons. Many return regularly to visit kin, sustain real estate, to celebrate various events and even as tourists. For some the commitment to return permanently is as ambiguous as the decision to leave ‘home’ in the first place.

We must not lose sight of the fact that a substantive number of (first generation) Guyanese emigrated in their middle or senior years, voluntarily or by “push factors” beyond their control. Notwithstanding the realities of late life financial hardships and other challenges that may cause despair, the decision to return could create a dilemma, having grown accustomed to life overseas, aspects of which can hardly be duplicated at home. Consequently, for those who decide to return, there may be the need for re-socialization to the Guyanese culture, different from the ‘home’ they remember.

An important dimension of the possible success of the coalition government has been the potential power of collaboration between the principal ethnic groups. This intended inclusionary partnership, the likes of which have not been seen in almost a generation, was born out of trust, genuineness and determination to arrest the schism caused by racial divisiveness, notwithstanding some disappointments. However, recent constitutional issues and upcoming national elections render the charting of social and political change unpredictable. Along with the expected economic windfall from the petro-sector, Guyana is at an unprecedented crossroad that will transform its tattered history.

In light of the above-mentioned attributes and perspective, it is reasonable to conclude that regardless of political ideology, the diaspora wants the same things for the nation as people at home – good jobs, equitable resource distribution, affordable housing, quality education and training for the youth, safe roads, a fair and just legal system, adequate physical and mental health care, programs for the elderly, sanitary conditions in both rural and urban areas, security, an effective criminal justice system, clarity, fairness, accountability and the opportunity to invest financially.

Members of the diaspora seem willing to play their part in realizing these goals. Evidence of this is clearly demonstrated by the increasing number of Voluntary organizations among immigrants. This epitomizes an umbilical connection between the diaspora and the homeland, which some may view as potentially causing dependency, while others emphasize the developmental opportunities diaspora engagement offers. But then again, how does the diaspora ‘fit in’ and  what benefits or disappointments from the gas and oil industry are likely to emerge?

An often neglected dimension of the diaspora experience is the role of second and third generation Guyanese immigrants, who tend to exist in a different cultural and identity “space” from the first generation. Race, ethnicity and the country of their grand parents’ birth may no longer be a dominant part of their identity. Although their quality of life may not measure up to earlier immigrant arrivals, some of these young people may be more conscious of the environmental impact of fossil fuel. Could they have a different perspective on the eminent windfall in Guyana? Perhaps!