Dear Editor,
Last Monday, 28 August, marked 60 years since the reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) delivered the famous 1963 speech, I Have a Dream. The resounding words were ingrained into the hearts and minds of my generation worldwide, and I clearly remember how at elementary school we were encouraged to memorise and recite the text. Here in St. Martin, we can see MLK’s face painted on the walls in town, one school is named after him and some of my colleagues quote his lines in their email signatures. We remember him and we remember the dream.
It is worthwhile recalling the context in which the speech was given and not forget the moment it represented – a wave of protests against racial segregation, war, poverty and social inequalities culminating in an estimated 250.000-strong march on Washington for jobs and freedom at the Lincoln Memorial. The slogan “for Jobs and Freedom” was chosen because the demonstrators understood that freedom does not last without the material conditions to sustain it. What is freedom without proper healthcare, education, adequate housing, jobs and decent remuneration?
MLK too understood that the fight against structural racism must go hand-in-hand with the struggle against all types of discrimination and injustices, not only the plight of African Americans but all working people. Remember that when MLK was assassinated five years later, in 1968, he was in Memphis, Tennessee, to support a garbage collectors strike for decent wages and better labour conditions.
Two years after the March on Washington, in 1965, MLK united trade unions, farmers, spiritual leaders and economists to come up with a concrete proposal to remedy the ills of social inequality. Co-authored by labour unionist Asa Philip Randolph, and Gay activist Bayard Rustin, the so-called Freedom Budget was key to the civil rights movement now associated with the words I Have a Dream.
The proposal advocated for the eradication of poverty; it suggested full employment with liveable wages, fair prices and support for farmers, adequate housing and healthcare, and a progressive tax to support the freedom of the country’s citizens. The Freedom Budget was a plan to have the state intervene on behalf of the toiling masses and direct government in developing policies that ensured prosperity for all; this included care for the elderly, better wages for our teachers and free education.
In the United States, we see that 60 years after the famous speech, underemployment, poverty and racial violence continue to plague that country. Today’s generation of Americans are not living MLK’s dream. Rather, they are manifesting a capitalist nightmare, with a higher concentration of wealth in fewer hands. Socio-economic inequality is greater today than it was 60 years ago; failing physical and mental health, which more often than not is poverty-induced, has become rampant.
This condition of unfreedom is perhaps due to a long period following the March on Washington whereby many American political leaders implemented policies contradictory to the Freedom Budget. The leaders preferred to invest in war, rather into the well-being of its people.
We too remember the words of MLK here in St. Maarten and Saint-Martin. But what are our political leaders dreaming? Can we talk of freedom on St. Martin if people are working 2 to 3 jobs to survive? Are we living the dream when those qualified to study at the university are forced to work full-time in order to pursue a career? Can we be free at US $4.50 per hour?
As dependent territories of two wealthy nations who have billions to spend on war in Ukraine, can’t we demand a Freedom Budget here? Is it possible to raise the wages of public servants and the police force, making it equal to that in the Netherlands? I would say that it is not only possible but necessary. Perhaps the independistas could honour the legacy of MLK and propose a SXM Freedom Budget. Perhaps we can continue to dream as did MLK, while fighting discrimination and supporting a high standard of living for all workers on this beautiful multi-ethnic island.
Dr. Antonio Carmona Báez
Dear Editor,
St. Maarten's breathtaking beaches, vibrant culture, and warm climate have made it a popular tourist destination for years. However, as development and tourism flourish, the island's delicate ecosystems and biodiversity face an alarming threat. The disregard for biodiversity and ecosystem conservation on St. Maarten could have disastrous consequences for our island’s future.
One of the most pressing concerns we face is the loss of native habitats. Urban expansion and tourism infrastructure projects often encroach upon vital ecosystems, displacing native flora and fauna. This disrupts the delicate balance of the island's biodiversity, leading to the decline of various species, some of which might be found nowhere else on Earth. We need to have laws that mandate Environmental Impact Assessments, just like any other territory in the region.
Furthermore, the depletion of natural resources puts local livelihoods at risk. St. Maarten's economy heavily relies on its natural beauty to attract tourists, but unchecked development can lead to environmental degradation that drives visitors away. Coral reefs, for instance, provide protection against storm surges and support fisheries, but their destruction could leave the island vulnerable to climate-related disasters.
Invasive species are another consequence of neglecting ecosystem conservation. As trade and travel increase, foreign species are introduced, often outcompeting native plants and animals. This disrupts the native food chains and ecosystems, causing a ripple effect that can harm both wildlife and human communities. And yes, this includes the highly invasive Green Vervet Monkey as Dr. Antonio Carmona Baez so eloquently outlined in his recent Op-ed.
Climate change exacerbates the challenges. Rising sea levels, more frequent hurricanes, and changing weather patterns threaten St. Maarten's delicate balance even further. Healthy ecosystems can act as buffers against these impacts, but their destruction leaves the island more exposed and vulnerable.
It is crucial for the government, businesses, and local communities to collaborate on sustainable development practices. Conservation efforts, such as protected marine areas, reforestation projects, and responsible waste management, are essential steps toward safeguarding St. Maarten's natural heritage for generations to come.
Inaction is not an option. The disastrous consequences of neglecting biodiversity and ecosystem conservation are already visible in various parts of the world. St. Maarten has an opportunity to learn from these examples and take proactive measures to ensure a resilient and prosperous future.
Preserving St. Maarten's biodiversity and ecosystems requires a holistic approach that values the long-term well-being of both the environment and its people. Only through collective effort and responsible stewardship can the island navigate the challenges ahead and secure a sustainable future that honours its rich natural heritage.
Tadzio Bervoets
Dear Editor
After King Willem Alexander apologized for the crime action in his speech of July 1, 2023, for the enslavement executed by the kingdom of the Netherlands in the past, Fundashon Kòrsou na Kaminda pa Libertat is hearing some rumours going around among the people of Curaçao that a new governor will be appointed by the same Willem Alexander.
We are surprised that apologies are being made for the history of slavery and that the same colonial structure of the past that tortured our ancestors is being maintained.
What are the changes after asking for an apology for the horror acts committed during the slavery days, which Fundashon Kòrsou na Kaminda pa Libertat should expect to see in the early future?
The United Nations has instructed all its members to finalise the process of decolonization of all countries that are still not completely decolonized.
Total and real decolonization means that the governments of the countries named as non-colonial countries actually get their own independent representation at the United Nations, where decisions are taken in relation to foreign affairs. And that the parliament, in this case the government of Curaçao, has every right to control the representation of this country.
As long as this is not the case, asking for an apology does not carry any weight.
It is time to choose and vote for our own freedom. Free from neo-colonialism and the right to be a free and independent country in the sense stipulated by the United Nations in its mandate.
We have the utmost expectation that the people of Curaçao follow these developments closely and are ready to vote for their freedom.
Hubert Cristina
Chairman Fundashon Kòrsou na Kaminda pa Libertat
By Alex Rosaria
BRICS is emerging as a key bloc aiming to reshape the global landscape. BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. China sees itself as its indisputable leader and refers to BRICS as the model for a “pluriversal” world.
In fact, China’s Xi Jinping mentioned this (in a speech read out by the Chinese Commerce Minister) during the BRICS Meeting on August 22, 2023. Pluriversalism is a term coined by Colombian Arturo Escobar, which stands for a “multipolar world that is more inclusive, fair, and equitable.”
BRICS, for sure, is a force to reckon with. However, it’s turning out to be not more than a reaction against the major powers of the Global North. It has yet to demonstrate inclusiveness and justice regarding its own particular policies.
To consider BRICS as an inclusive and fair bunch compared with the “big bad North” makes me wince and think of the famous last words of Orwell’s Animal Farm: “The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again, but already it was impossible to say which was which.”
Both China and Russia have the same imperialistic wet dreams many of the North had or still have. They don’t hesitate to use military might to achieve their objectives. The illegal occupation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in Georgia, annexation of Crimea, and the Ukrainian War show blatant Russian imperialism.
But also the illegal Chinese occupation of Tibet, interference in Tibetan Buddhist internal religious matters, and warlike actions against Taiwan and in the South China Sea are palpable illustrations. And where I’m now, in extreme Northern Laos, not far from the Chinese border, only the blind will not notice the scale of inappropriate logging and ecological rape going on in the name of Chinese commerce.
And India? This is frantically trying to influence Nepal and Bhutan, which are fighting for their lives, not wanting to suffer the same fate as the former Sikkim Kingdom, which was annexed by India.
More inclusive? Russia’s anti-LGBTQ policies and China’s extermination policies against the Uyghur minority don’t exactly show inclusiveness. South Africa’s xenophobic policies against other nationalities and Brazil’s brutal neo-liberal commercial policies are killing the Amazon and driving the indigenous population out.
I’m not against BRICS. As a matter of fact, BRICS and other countries have a point when addressing the antiquated and imbalanced global stage we currently live in. Let’s call BRICS by its name. It’s an imperialistic and commercial power bloc that will not hesitate to subjugate and choke all who stand in its way. This is no altruistic justice-seeking group.
Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia & Pacific. He is a former Member of Parliament, Minister of Economic Affairs, State Secretary of Finance and UN Implementation Officer in Africa and Central America. He’s from Curaçao and has an MBA from University of Iowa (USA).
~ Towards sustainable infrastructure improvement ~
Dear Editor,
We must be willing and prepared to change the narrative from “there’s nothing government can do” to “government is the facilitator in taking the lead to improve the quality of the lives of our citizens and residents.” How do we achieve this goal that seems elusive to so many citizens among us? How can we continue to justify the growth of multi-layered luxury condos, while living conditions of many neighbourhoods in the best cases have remained practically the same or in worse cases are dramatically deteriorating conditions. Simply put, how can we make St. Maarten beautiful again for all of us?
We cannot continue on this same path. St. Maarten has long reached its tipping point and we all agree (locals and visitors alike) that our carrying capacity in all areas is overburdened.
Several studies and reports have been written about this scenario which today is a hard reality for many.
Yes, the gap between the “haves” and those citizens who have very little and struggle daily and who can’t even “make ends meet” is big and getting wider. Our citizens can see the type of constructions going up compared to the level of their living conditions and living standards, which is often substandard. For example, several neighbourhoods still do not have underground cables, electrical or otherwise, paved roads or clean, safe areas for kids to play. In spite of many promises made to rectify these conditions residents are informed that such property is private land. To be clear, the issue of providing decent and affordable housing and home-ownership opportunities for our citizens will continue to be addressed separately.
The issue of land, government long-lease land, private land and the manner in which these properties are used has always been a very sensitive issue. Land on St. Maarten is a scarce, therefore valuable commodity.
The question asked once more is: “Parties who have leased their land for decades to government for the purpose of building affordable rental homes, do they not have a moral or social sense to ensure that those residents live in an environment worthy of their presence?”
Emergency homes have become permanent dwellings for many paying rent for decades.
Most residents are law-abiding citizens, working several jobs and raise their kids. All they ask for is to be treated as human beings and with respect. Structural investment in their respective neighbourhoods supported by a maintenance plan that spans at least a decade is a good starting point.
It’s necessary to address this growing discrepancy, sooner rather than later.
A step forward is to pursue a structural dialogue with the private landowners and impress upon the benefits to be derived for all parties solving the deplorable infrastructural situations in several districts. To be clear, some of these neighbourhoods have nice structural dwellings. However, due to the fact that the land is private property, the streets cannot be fixed by government’s budget, therefore remain deplorable for many more years to come. Ad-hoc policies won’t cut it any longer. We can do better.
We are a new “country” within the Kingdom of the Netherlands since October 10, 2010. Our people were promised a better quality of life and faster decision-making powers with the transfer of these powers from Willemstad to Philipsburg. Today regrettably, we are faced mostly with underperformance, lack of social cohesion and a fragmented society. We must realize that positive and sustainable development isn’t achieved automatically. It takes a united effort, vision and a workable action-plan to make it work for our citizens.
It’s imperative to present and enact programmes or an ideology that represents all social interests.
This is a common responsibility carried by the public and private sectors. Unified Resilient Sint Maarten Movement (URSM) will focus on these working programmes and policies, while others are more concerned about personalities.
Transparency International rang the social discrepancy-corruption alarm bell including in 2016 by underscoring the importance of government initiating the process of taking the lead for multi-stakeholders’ dialogue between civil society and the private sector. People must be made more aware of the impact of the costs of corruption and neglect on society.
Pursuing a public-private policy aimed at improving the living conditions of our neighbourhoods requires an overall approach that puts the general interest of this country first. We must build our country responsibly, not break it. This requires competent, caring and compassionate leadership whereby our local communities will be the real winners.
Gracita Arrindell
