Dear Editor,
There are both advantages and disadvantages to returning to live in Guyana.
The advantages are many. You will make friends easily and feel comfortable talking with strangers and neighbours. You will feel at home. You will never feel alone. You will never have to worry about ICE or immigration enforcement questioning your legal status. You will never be told to “go back to your country,” because this is your country. You will never feel like a foreigner.
You will not be forced to identify as a Republican or a Democrat. You will be reminded of many aspects of your childhood— the schools you attended, the places you worked, and the friendships you formed. You will experience moments of nostalgia and melancholy as you remember both the good and the bad times of growing up in Guyana.
The disadvantages are also real and must be acknowledged. If something bad happens to you, you may find yourself at the mercy of the police. Many people feel unsafe at night, especially while in bed, unless they have a firearm—which is almost impossible to obtain legally unless one is willing to pay nearly one million dollars.
You must constantly watch your surroundings when walking the streets and guard your cellphone, as thieves frequently target phones. Walking at night is something many people try to avoid. Driving is often safer than walking, as it makes you less vulnerable.
Overall, despite the disadvantages of returning to Guyana, the advantages far outweigh them. I would encourage you to consider coming back home. There is truly no place like home. Home is where the heart is. If you feel at home abroad, then remain abroad. But if your heart still belongs to Guyana, then come home.