Attendees at the symposium.
POND ISLAND--The Advisory Committee on Slavery, Atonement and Reparations (ACSAR) held a symposium titled “St. Martin Identity: Slavery, Labour and Migration” at University of St. Martin (USM) on November 30 and December 1.
With an attendance of 30 participants and more than 50 online viewers, the symposium provided community discussions following the presentation of research papers and panel discussions on the impact of slavery and colonialism on the island’s socio-economic, cultural and political development. USM said in a recent press release.
ACSAR was established by ministerial decree on February 2 and was commissioned by Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs to stimulate St. Maarten national dialogue following Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s apology on behalf of the Dutch government to the descendants of enslaved Africans and indentured servants in December 2022.
The symposium coincided with activities surrounding the Commemoration Year of the Abolition of Slavery in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and regional debates on reparations, notably through the Caribbean Community CARICOM Committee on Reparations (CRC). ACSAR engaged with various sectors of the local community to document essential perspectives on the painful history of chattel slavery, the need for healing and a common vision for a healthier, more just and equitable society.
The symposium was organised by St. Martin Science Research Institute (SSRI) at USM, with funding provided by National Institute of Dutch Slavery Past and its Legacy NINSEE and the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science OCW.
On the symposium’s first day, doctoral researcher Jan Bant of Radboud University in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, presented on the life of renowned St. Martin baseball player Hamilton Richardson and how his presence in Europe was perceived by the racist Dutch media and world of sports.
A panel discussion followed on the Impact of Language of Instruction on Social Mobility, led by Oldine Bryson-Pantophlet and Yadira Boston. Local poet Faizah Tabasamu read from her book Tangle and made statements on the topics of trauma and identity. Yolanda Richardson from University of Aruba gave a presentation on Life Stories of St. Martiners in Aruba, which sparked an interesting discussion about fluidity of identities and the need to recognise diverse characteristics of belonging.
The afternoon saw a panel discussion on Decolonizing (mental and physical) Health in St. Maarten led by Dr. Tasheena Thomas, Tyanna Knight and neuropsychologist Dhanishka Pohujal.
To end the first day, doctoral researcher Lysanne Charles gave her presentation on Colonization and Sexual Diversities.
Member of Parliament Ludmila Duncan presented on day two on St. Martin Identity, Blood, Birth and Belonging, which explored the need to define St. Martin national identity while embracing diversity and varying family histories that span across many Caribbean islands. Duncan was followed by an ACSAR plenary panel on the activities and research carried out by the commissioned body.
USM research coordinator and community activist Raymond Jessurun discussed St. Martin worker identity and the importance of social movements and grass roots, while a panel led by
One SXM discussed the organisation’s ideas on reparations and St. Martin’s current relation to the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the rest of the Caribbean region. The One SXM panel was led by Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, Ashira Cecilia, and Cindy Peters who stood in for high school student Keisha Webster.
Friday afternoon saw a concluding panel on the theatrical account of St. Martin enslaved heroine Spitfire: the Lokhay Story, written by cultural icon Shuja Reiph, with participation of musical director Clara Reyes and poet-actress Rochelle Ward. The entire last day was serenaded by local musician Eddie Violenus, the last living member of the island’s legendary band Tanny and the Boys.
USM President Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez commented on the two-day event, praising the efforts of all the participants and guests. “What we have achieved here with ACSAR and SSRI is significant. The excellent presentations offered and the participation of artists, activists, and academics are a testimony of the greatness of our Soualigan homeland. The engaging of presenters with the public was simply awesome,” Carmona said.
During December, ACSAR will be organising the papers presented for publication with House of Nehesi Publishers in 2024. In observance of the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, USM, ACSAR and St. Martin Alliance for Equity (SAFE) will also be hosting a lecture on slavery, colonialism and sexual diversity with Dr. S.N. Neyek of University of Boulder, Colorado, and Reverend Dr. Sam Cruz of Union Theological Seminary, at USM on Friday, December
