On Friday Jul 4th, America celebrates its 250th Independence Day, and her 249th anniversary. Independence was declared on July 4, 1776 after a victorious revolutionary war fought by brave volunteers. Several of those who survived become the Founding Fathers ( brilliant thinkers) of the nation; the women are not to be forgotten as they supported the men at war and also made contributions albeit were not recognized. Many subjects of The 13 colonies gave their lives to fight for independence from an oppressive, tax burden British, creating a nation out of 13 colonies that would grow to become the most powerful, richest nation in history.
The country, including Guyanese, celebrates the revolution and the nation’s achievements, paying tribute to the freedom fighters and all those who contributed to its status. July 4th has been a national holiday forever, similar to Guyana’s independence day, an extended holiday weekend this year for Americans. And Guyanese diaspora is in the thick of the celebrations.
The estimated million Guyanese migrants (from 1966 onwards) and their American born offspring are very patriotic towards their new homeland. They have embraced traditional American culture while retaining their respective cultural values brought from Guyana. Guyanese have transplanted their cultural and economic institutions in communities around the USA while expressing pride in their new status as Americans.
As in previous years, Guyanese diaspora in the USA observes the occasion by participating in flag hoisting and other patriotic activities, parades, picnics, barbecues, dinners, parties, and other traditional festivities including fun activities. Guyanese usually gather at various parks for activities. Many also use it for travels, fishing, playing cricket and other sports, as well as sightseeing. Some Guyanese travelled to Canada for its national day a week ago, while some families plan weddings for convenience as it is an extended weekend. Some Guyanese in Canada are visiting USA this weekend to participate in activities. Even in Guyana, there are usually observances of USA independence by Americans and local Guyanese. The American Embassy hosted celebrations last Friday at the residence of the charming Ambassador with hundreds in attendance including President Ali and many other Guyanese. Almost every Guyanese is fascinated by USA and seeks a visa to visit or work or study or even reside there; almost everyone prefers to live in USA and dreams of the blue America passport with the eagle. Almost every Guyanese at home wants to live a life like their brethren in USA and will like Guyana to become like USA , even to become part of America. They want the two nations to become closer.
Guyanese are extremely grateful for the opportunity to make the USA their home. They have taken advantage of opportunities to improve their lives, living a much better life than in Guyana. They have used their presence to contribute significantly to the coffers of the American treasury as well as to its growth, defense and national security. They also make significant contributions to their former homeland, even playing a critical role in championing and safeguarding democracy there. They have contributed billions of American dollars to Guyana’s national treasury over the last fifty years. No other nation has allowed a national or ethnic group to contribute so much to a former homeland, without which the Guyanese nation would not have survived. China, Russia, Middle East have not contributed one percent to what the Guyanese diaspora in USA has provided Guyana.
The Guyanese in USA and even those in Guyana and elsewhere are very thankful and most grateful for the opportunities available to transform their lives in USA and those of loved ones in Guyana. Guyanese in USA and even in other diasporic jurisdictions would like Guyana to become like USA, even to become part of America so that the country can be rapidly transformed— development as a first world nation with security, equality, and justice for all.
As the political parties campaign for the September 1 election, proposals for deeper linkage with (even to make Guyana a part of) USA will appeal to voters.
Happy July 4th! God bless America!