With the recent announcement of the election date by the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana – Dr. Mohammed Irfaan Ali along with the public entry of Azruddin Mohammed in the aforementioned election, one must learn how to navigate the political climate that is brewing.
In the fact of political theatre, it is rather easy to become passive and to treat elections as a spectator sport played by the elites. Nothing could be further from the truth. This does not necessarily mean that politics is abstract. It is actually immediate, much like a living breathing thing. It governs the quality of our schools, the impact of our work, how society enforces our laws, the safety of our streets and so much more. Given the highlighted importance, the question seems not whether young people should participate, but how they should. What direction? What tools and sense of purpose is needed for the upliftment of the country?
Given the breadth of this topic, let us begin with the ages of 11 – 17. Politics begin in the mind and no one is too young for politics. When you actively question why your school lacks proper facilities, why your communities remain starved for resources or even why your parents struggle to make ends meet, those are considered political questions. Oftentimes, this stage of interpretation and questioning is overlooked by the fossils that be, but few understand that it is the birth of civic consciousness. Young people must be encouraged to read deeply, not just texts but history, international affairs and even the constitution of their own republic. The first act of political resistance is inquiry. In a society where apathy is passed down like inheritance, curiosity is a quiet rebellion.
Secondly, 18 – 28. These years are more dynamic. The author sits in this age range. This is the most ideologically fertile period of one’s life. Passion finds an outlet and theory from earlier ages confront the harsh realities of life. Some may be in the Universities, in the workforce, starting families or even navigating unemployment. Whichever path is walked, your life is experience, or what we can call political data. In the position of a public office or leadership, you will act upon the data gathered in these formative years. This political data might include a pragmatic view on wages, rent, student loans, systematic injustices or as we have seen in our country; institutional failures. One quickly realizes that politics is the architecture behind many of life’s problems. This is also the age where idealism can sour into cynicism. Sub-par comprehension is fueled by hate and disdain, often the reality as one suffers from the hands of failing leaders. Yes, politics can be corrupt, but the solution to flawed politics is not the bystander approach most humans take, but instead advocacy. Advocate reform, justice and even write policy papers. Join political parties, not to be consumed by them but to shape or make a valuable contribution. The idea that politics is bad and therefore avoided is simpleton logic. Fire can burn, but it also cooks food and warms the home, not that we have that problem in Guyana. You get the point.
Lastly, from the ages of 30+, most persons refuse the uphill battle of change and choose compromise. At this stage, many persons see how hard systems are to change and how heavy the burden of leadership is. I would advise, that this is the time to refine not to retreat. Now is the time to enter into governance spaces, run for local council, sit on boards, guide NGOs and draft legislation. A far better position to be in than to criticize from the sidelines, wouldn’t you say?
The trajectory has been outlined and it is up to the younger minds to choose how to navigate the political climate. Is it better to advocate? Or to study the country more? To throw on a red, green or pink shirt wildly? Young people act as a form of check to power. One that is subtle but far more lethal. They keep their leaders accountable, interrogate their political narratives and encourage change. Young people will replace those who are complacent and they will bring new ideas to the table. There lies the cycle of politics.
My final advice to my fellow young people would be to stay well connected to factual information, make inferences based on your own interpretation and vote accordingly without engaging in the traditional mudslinging.
