In the chaotic streets of ‘town’ in Guyana, a profound injustice unfolds as street vendors, the ultimate survivors of our economy, are forcibly ousted from their livelihoods. With their stalls demolished and no support in sight, it’s a brutal reality for many, especially the single mothers who rely solely on vending to support their families. Many vendors make just enough each day to purchase stock for another day, and greens for dinner and bread for breakfast before their day begins again. This cycle is repeated for many, day after day, for decades, with no relief coming from the Banking industry, which refuses to consider vendors as appropriate risks and the government, which has ignored their plight for generations.
Life as a street vendor is far from glamorous. Enduring the sweltering heat, torrential rain, and constant traffic, all without access to basic amenities like toilets, it’s a relentless battle against the elements. Yet, for these mothers, it’s the only life they’ve ever known—a life of sacrifice and resilience in the face of adversity, a sacrifice they need to make in the interest of survival.
To those quick to judge, I ask you to to try to empathize; Did you attend a decent school or were your parents able to afford lessons? Were you provided with a stable home and regular meals and protected from predators? Most of us were fortunate enough to have had these privileges, which opened doors to alternative paths beyond street vending. But for these women, such luxuries were unattainable dreams, overshadowed by the daily struggle to survive.
The government’s role in this crisis cannot be overlooked. Their indifference to the plight of street vendors, particularly Black women, is a stark reminder of the systemic injustices that plague our society. By tearing down their stalls without offering viable alternatives and favoring well-connected elites with aesthetically pleasing replacements, the government perpetuates a cycle of marginalization and oppression.
But who bears the brunt of these actions? It’s the children left vulnerable at home, the families grappling with poverty, and the communities teetering on the edge of despair. As the gap between the privileged and the marginalized widens, so too does the risk of social unrest and upheaval.
Make no mistake: the flames of discontent are smoldering in Guyana, and those who are adept at ‘reading the tea leaves’ are worried that the nation is ready to erupt at any moment. Though Guyana may be small, the flames of injustice know no bounds. Every Guyanese citizen must be afforded a life of dignity and opportunity, especially in our new oil economy.
We have to deva about each other, because the government of Guyana does not.