Dear Editor,
Whenever I hear people of St. Maarten heritage say they are local I see weakness and people that have no sense of identity.
I notice all if not most people in our government cannot say they are from St. Maarten or a St. Maartener. That shows they have an inferiority complex.
Patriotism is very important. The feeling must especially be born in the youth of the country so they act as responsible citizens.
Youth is the future of the nation and for the bright future of the country, it is important for them to protect and preserve the nation and act in its best interest to make it outshine.
Nationalism is an ideology and movement that promotes the interests of a particular nation (as in a group of people) especially with the aim of gaining and maintaining the nation's sovereignty (self-governance) over its homeland. It also encourages pride in national achievements and is closely linked to patriotism.
Local is any person living in St. Maarten a long time but that person is not a St. Maartener.
The manner individuals carry or portray themselves is how people define you. If you say you are a local then you accept yourself as a third-class citizen.
Last week I read in the paper a member of the government say the businesses must hire more locals.
I agree 100 percent with the businesses that what they are doing is hiring locals. If our government is too stupid or afraid to make certain that they hire St. Maarteners then they have the free will to do as they please. The weakness of leaders in government invites outsiders or foreign interference to oppress you in your own country because you cannot define who you are and who should have first preference.
As long as every St. Maartener and government leaders that are in the executive branch or legislative branch are too stupid and weak to define who they are, businesses have all right to take advantage of you.
The conclusion, people of St. Maarten heritage, are you a local or a St. Maartener?
Choices have consequences, choose wisely and choose now. I am of St. Maarten heritage, not local. (I from here.)
The patriot Miguel Arrindell
Dear Editor,
There is an urgent need for a motorcycle school as of yesterday. Too many of our youngsters are losing their lives, which some of them have children left behind.
For many years we have had a driving school, now it is time that we create a motorcycle school. I am asking the experts to please create a motorcycle school for these youngsters as soon as possible.
Mavis Arrindell
Dear Editor,
We the people of St. Maarten are sick and tired and our noble ancestors are spinning in their graves to see that after all the sacrifices they made for us, others feel it is their right to continue forcing their will on St. Maarten people, to turn our homeland into their modern day plantation of human exploitation.
Enough is enough. SHTA should get out of St. Maarten immediately. They do not care for St. Maarten and its people. The only reason they are here is to exploit St. Maarten and pay no taxes.
Yes, my beloved people of St. Maarten, genocide by substitution is a serious crime against our humanity.
We the people of St. Maarten hereby thank the Minister of Public Health, Social Development and Labour VSA Pamela Gordon-Carty for a job well done on behalf of the people of St. Maarten, and to the SHTA we say, “donderstraalop” from St. Maarten immediately.
Theophilus Priest
Dear Editor,
“My metaphysics is not as thick as yours,” I answered after being asked by a man of the cloth if I knew Jesus Christ was the son of God. The sermon by this clergyman with an audience of one lasted for about 30 minutes, during which he espoused the significance and superiority of Christ, advocating for obedience to his teachings and ultimately to acknowledge that he was the son of God.
“Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight.” Such were the lyrics of Bob Marley and last Saturday, Statians attended a concert called the Bob Marley Earth Day Celebration.
Through this medium, I would like to thank all those involved in the evening's entertainment and the Bob Marley fans on the Historical Gem who turned up to swing to the reggae beats. Thanks to all of you, it was a wonderful event.
Marley died young at the age of 36 years. Had he survived; he would have been 75 years old last week. Whereas his legacy is absolutely measured by the musical work he composed, it was his message that will probably remain eternally relevant.
His music was embraced by spirituality and as an icon, he continues to represent a symbol of Pan-African culture and identity. To many, such a view may seem
old-fashioned and unrelated to our fast world of din and spin. To others, his words are a source of inspiration.
One of his greatest quotes is as follows: “The greatness of a man is not in how much wealth he acquires, but in his integrity and his ability to affect those around him positively.”
Thank you all who joined in the celebration of Bob Marley's birthday on Statia and we’re looking forward to an even bigger event with more artists next year, and to make it an annual show.
Curtis “Strawl” Arnaud
