By Alvaro Sanchez Cordero
Just like Venezuelan national hero Francisco de Miranda, Marcus Garvey also had three ships (I refuse to use the example of Christopher Columbus).
And like Miranda, Garvey also had a decolonizing plan. As you can see, the example of Columbus would have been inappropriate.
The ship analogy doesn’t end there. It was also on a ship, owned by the despicable United Fruit Company, that Garvey was deported from the US back to Jamaica in 1927, thus cracking the vast social, nationalist and pan-Africanist movement that he had developed in Harlem, as well as other towns and regions in the US.
But let’s save this piece from becoming a ship battle and let’s put our feet on the ground. Well, actually, Garvey’s ships were his grounding feet.
Before Garvey, several African-American leaders and intellectuals had contemplated African nationalism as a means to get back to the African roots. However, Garvey went a step further and developed an actual blueprint on how to achieve such a noble goal. Indeed, a very important component in Garvey’s plan included a business operation that would generate enough revenue for him and his followers to go to Africa and settle there in order to develop such huge continent.
In a nutshell, this is the story behind Garvey’s ships and the Black Star Line, the commercial wing of Garvey’s social movement, the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). This was how Garvey planned to carry Blacks from the Americas “back” to Africa.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t just about making trips and (hopefully) making money. It was about content. And this was the other side of the coin that propelled Garvey to success and stardom. Garvey brought pride to his followers. He uplifted masses of African-Americans in the US and other countries by awakening their race consciousness while cultivating in them important values, such as education, culture and reading, instrumental in going to Africa to rid it from colonialism.
Garvey’s plan was indeed beautiful. However, let’s not fool ourselves. He was operating in the United States of America. Hence, it would be a matter of time before the US Government would try to break both the man and his ideas.
The US official assigned to do that job was the first ever Director of the FBI J. Edgar Hoover, an individual who would spend the next 48 years in charge of that department, so Garvey was his first major case in “cheating and lying” (using the words of the current US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when he described the duties of the CIA, not far off from the irresponsible behaviour of its cousin the FBI).
You can imagine all the hideous things that Hoover did to Garvey. He infiltrated his organization, harassed him and literally sabotaged his business ventures. At the end, Hoover made sure that Garvey went to prison and later got deported.
In spite of all this, Hoover couldn’t fully destroy Garvey, for Garvey’s legacy remained in so many people, including historical figures, such as: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah, Louis Farrakhan and Bob Marley, among others.
Jamaican national hero and Rastafarian prophet, Garvey will shine forever in the national flag of Ghana.
In celebration of the 132nd anniversary of this pan-Africanist champion and leader, let’s pay tribute to Garvey by allowing our ships of liberation to freely navigate through the seas of union and equality.
~ Alvaro Sanchez Cordero is the Charge D’ Affaires of the Venezuelan Embassy to Barbados. ~
Dear Editor,
Recently, there has been much discussion surrounding the circular economy. However, what exactly is a circular economy and how does it differ with our current economy? Our current economic system is a linear one where raw materials are used to make a product, and after its use any waste (e.g. packaging) is thrown away.
In recent years it has become apparent that the linear economy is based on deeply flawed assumptions. A major flawed assumption is that the earth is capable of providing inexhaustible resources. But, for years the demand placed upon the environment from human-related activities has been greater than the earth’s capacity to regenerate.
People can maximize the chances of avoiding dangerous environmental degradation and climate change by moving to a circular economy. A circular economy is a regenerative system in which resource, input and waste, emission, and energy leakage are minimized by slowing, closing, and narrowing energy and material loops. This can be achieved through long-lasting design, maintenance, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, refurbishing and recycling.
Interestingly, prior to the industrial revolution, the circular economy was intuitive and embodied efficient and effective stewardship. The approach demanded ingenuity and creative use of all scarce resources. With the industrial revolution, economies began to transition and a linear economy developed. The world became globalized, based on perceived limitless resources and limitless consumption. This linear economy became identified as the “Take – Make – Dispose” economy.
In the Caribbean, the circular economy is also not a new concept. This can be exemplified through the example of the pineapple. The pineapple’s elements can be seen as raw material. It has at least two invisible elements: aesthetics and aromatic. It also has four visible elements: the crown; the peel (skin); the flesh and the core. The Caribbean home utilized all elements. The fruit’s design proudly lent aesthetic when perched on the dining room table. When the ripening fruit’s aroma permeated the room it was time to enjoy it. The fruit was cleaned; its crown carefully harvested for planting; its peel pared off and reserved to make a drink; its flesh removed for instant enjoyment or further processing in some delicacy; its core disposed in the compost bin for compost when planting. Nothing was wasted.
It is important to mention that simply replacing the linear economy with a circular economy will not solve the world’s problems. While the circular economy and the ideas behind it could make a big difference toward an ecologically sustainable future, attention must also be paid to the comprehensive transformation of our political and social system.
While increasing living standards and wealth for some, the linear economy has not totally assisted in eliminating poverty and inequality. Decades-long development efforts to reduce poverty have seen some important gains, and since 1990, nearly 1.1 billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty. However, justifiable pride in this achievement must be tempered by pessimism about inequality, with the IMF asserting in 2017 that “despite sustained economic growth and rapid poverty reductions, income inequality remains stubbornly high in many low-income developing countries.”
Thus, we have to think beyond the circular economy. We can not only institute a circular economy if the institution is bad. There are powerful corporate and state actors who will strive to embrace the circular economy using the same financial paradigm of wealth accumulation for the few. As a result, longstanding human interactions and power relations that are based on inequality and inequity will be replicated. If profit maximization and narrowminded financial objectives are perpetuated without putting people and the environment first, a circular economy will fail in the same manner that the linear economy has.
How can we in the Caribbean build and embrace a circular economy that promotes sustainability and equality? How can we harness our creativity and innovation to protect our native flora and fauna? How do we transform our political and social systems so that everyone has a chance to earn a living and find their place in society? These are questions that we in the Caribbean must begin to think about and discuss. If we do not, then it is possible that others will and we will not be equal beneficiaries in the new circular economy.
The EUX Writers Club
The pen is mightier than the sword
After the failed US-led coup d’etat attempt against Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro on the 30th of April of this year, President Donald Trump has once again taken the lead in the offensive against Venezuela by incurring in a series of destabilizing and illegal actions that are putting at risk both the political dialogue that is currently taking place in Barbados between the Venezuelan Government and the several oppositions and the peace in the wider Caribbean region.
Firstly, the US Government issued an executive order on Monday (5 August 2019) enforcing a full economic blockade on Venezuela by further freezing all Venezuelan assets in the US and prohibiting US citizens and companies to make transactions with Venezuela.
This US executive order was preceded by an extraordinary and appalling decision by a US court which ruled that Canadian company Crystallex International could attach CITGO to its portfolio (CITGO is a Venezuelan oil company legally based in the US). Through this illegal move, the US has stolen the Venezuelan people and government over 18 billion US dollars (CITGO assets in the US are worth 7 billion US dollars, while an additional 11 billion US dollars represent the amount incurred in transaction losses that CITGO would have normally made annually and reported to the nation as revenues for its functioning in normal circumstances).
Nonetheless, illegal, coercive and unilateral sanctions by the US against Venezuela, as well as an economic blockade, totalling over 150 billion US dollars in losses for Venezuela, have already been in place since 2014. In fact, a study released in April of this year by Mark Weisbrot and Jeffrey Sachs from the Centre for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR) states that over 40,000 Venezuelans have died due to US sanctions since 2017.
In addition, President Trump has decided to put more military pressure against Venezuela.
On the 1st of August of this year, Trump announced that he would place Venezuela in a quarantine regime, meaning that he would not allow any ship going in or out of Venezuela, reminiscent of a similar imperialistic naval blockade suffered by Venezuela in 1902 at the hands of Germany, Italy and the UK (mainly).
Blockades are acts of war and serious breaches of peace. In addition, according to Article 42 of the UN Charter, only the Security Council of the UN can actually mandate any blockade against any country, no one else.
In an attempt to provide actual military content to such threat, the US has been busy dispatching military jets to fly over Venezuelan air space, thus violating our sovereignty and international law, risking a major military escalation that would have disastrous consequences for the whole region. Starting on the 29th of July 2019, US military aircrafts have violated the Venezuelan air space over 55 times.
It is also unfortunate that all this is taking place less than 500 kilometres away from Barbados and yet the Barbadian people and institutions here have been kept completely unaware about it.
Considering the seriousness of the situation and that so much is at risk, including regional peace and stability, it is utmost important that all Caribbean people reject such hostile actions by Donald Trump and support the progressive, peaceful, law-abiding and democratic government and people of Venezuela.
David Denny
General Secretary
Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration (Barbados)
Dear Editor,
The Government of Sint Maarten continues to face financial challenges due to the damage caused by Irma and Maria almost two years ago. As the rebuilding effort continues and hotels continue to come back online, as a country we need to step outside the box and explore other economic and revenue-generating opportunities in order to become a smart island.
The Smart city concept is a common term used due to increased urbanization, scarce resources and development pressures. Countries need to turn to smart innovations in order to make their cities more livable in order to accommodate growth. Building a smart city is the order of the day as, according to the United Nations, two-thirds of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2050.
Today, more than ever, we need to plan in a more strategic manner and look beyond rather than continuing to look within at the current business model. The current tourism-oriented economy will continue, and we must further enhance and develop it in a sustainable manner. The hotel infrastructure continues to rebuild back better. We have two new hotels (e.g. Planet Hollywood) that are planned and will add additional hotel rooms to the current room inventory.
Some hotel properties won’t ever be rebuilt (e.g. Summit Resort Hotel) while others are pending decision-making on rebuilding (e.g. Westin at Dawn Beach). In the meantime, life goes on, but financial challenges within the public sector continue to create headaches for policymakers and financial independence of any nation is the ultimate goal.
Hence, economic diversification is the key and should be pursued now more than ever. Our country needs strategies that leads to sustainable economic growth, an expanded vibrant business sector, good job opportunities for St. Maarteners and a higher quality of life for all.
There are economic areas that the country should explore and pursue such as international business services/insurance-risk industries; a ship and aircraft registry; fintech/block chain technology; e-commerce/technology sector; among others. Why can’t we pursue with private sector partners business solutions and scale them globally from Sint Maarten?
Steps need to be taken today to establish a diversified business ecosystem leading to an economically and financially sustainable smart nation by 2030 that will be able to deal with the various global changes – including climate change.
For example, St. Maarten should explore the possibility of acquiring a Geostationary Orbital Slot for Satellites via the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – it’s like renting real estate in the sky. Outer space, for the telecommunication sector is becoming more accessible to more actors in existing and emerging new industries.
Bermuda, an island nation similar in size in population compared to St. Maarten, has four satellite orbital slots – an area where satellites operate – which were allocated by the ITU to that island nation back in 1983. One slot hosted its first satellite in 2013.
A country of course needs the necessary legislative regulations such as a space law – in line with the Outer Space Treaty – in order to capitalize on satellite space slots, and the St. Maarten House of Parliament has a key role to play. The State of the Satellite Industry Report 2019 said the global space economy was worth more than 360 billion dollars in 2018 – a satellite industry that is worth more than 277 billion dollars with telecommunications being the biggest sector – and is forecast to become a trillion-dollar industry by 2040. The island of Jamaica is also working on developing a slot for commercialization.
The development of a Geostationary Orbital Slot for Satellites also has applications for aviation and shipping sectors – aircraft and shipping registry – through the use of surveillance or reconnaissance satellites.
Why not establish the “St. Maarten Space and Satellite Policy Advisory Group” which can lead to the establishment of the “St. Maarten Space and Satellite Authority” that would chart, manage and capitalize on the opportunities that exist in this area whereby country Sint Maarten becomes a part of emerging space economies which translates into economic diversification and financial independence?
Roddy Heyliger
Dear Editor,
The time had finally come to execute what we had been planning for, #YearoftheReturnto Ghana. I was excited and more than ready. Somehow it was not meant to be for me but for my suitcases instead.
My family and I had planned to celebrate my sister’s birthday on July 27 in Ghana. Ten of us booked to leave from Amsterdam on July 24. It was a direct flight to Ghana. I chose not to fly directly to Ghana from St. Maarten but to first fly to the Netherlands where I would meet the rest of my family. Together we would then travel to Ghana. It was definitely not a cheap choice but it was my choice.
The day had finally come and we were awaiting boarding. The flight was a bit delayed. When we finally boarded the plane the captain apologized for the delay. He informed us that the delay was a result of a faulty aircraft that they had to change. There were also issues with the fuel system. He said he would inform us as soon as he had more info.
After several long hours and barely any info, there was still hope to depart to Ghana. The captain said the fuel would be provided by trucks. A part would be flown in by helicopter to repair the defective fuel system. My excitement was slowly but surely fading away. The stewards couldn’t serve a warm meal because they couldn’t turn on the oven while grounded and besides that, they wouldn’t have anything else to serve when we would be en route to Ghana. Even though my excitement was dwindling, I tried to be as optimistic as possible.
In the meantime, we had to ask for water and we were offered one slice of pizza. Can you imagine that? They want to give a Caribbean woman like me one slice of pizza. Did I mention that the outside temperature was 37 degrees Celsius? Some places inside of the plane were not cool either. We too started to feel like the pizza they had offered us. We felt like we were in an oven. What made things worse is that we were not allowed to leave the plane. #BEINGHELDHOSTAGE
After more than 5 hours on the plane the captain unfortunately announced that our flight, just like many others, had been cancelled. The crew announced that we had to arrange our own bookings via the KLM website. Once we had disembarked the plane there was chaos in the hall. The hall was packed with people, reminiscent of the Festival Village on “Night of the Hit Makers”. Even disabled persons and children had to join the long queue. After so many hours sitting in that plane, waiting to take off and to eventually be told that the flight was cancelled, standing in that line was not an option for us. We were tired and hungry. In addition my mom (age 86) had to take her medication. Since a steward had told us that they would rebook everyone anyway, we decided we would contact KLM by other means to express our wishes.
We tried contacting KLM by telephone and social media but to no avail.
Since we didn’t hear anything from KLM and were unable to reach them, we decided to go to their office at Schiphol the next day, July 25. We had to stand in a long line at the KLM counter. While standing in line a member of the KLM staff mailed our wishes to the department. Nevertheless we remained standing in the line to know for sure that we would be getting what we had requested. After more than 7 hours in queue, KLM sent an email with our new tickets. To our surprise the group was not only split, but was also put on indirect flights to Ghana. This was not acceptable so we sent them a WhatsApp expressing our dissatisfaction. We also informed them that we are almost at the counter and would like to discuss the possibilities personally.
After more than 8 hours in line we finally reached the counter and again told them our wishes. Since KLM had nothing else to offer and we wouldn’t make it for my sister’s birthday party, we all decided to cancel our flight to Ghana. We were sent off with instructions to fill in an online form. We were also told that our suitcases would be delivered to our residences. We understood that it was also possible to go to “Arrivals” and inquire about our suitcases but since we were so tired we decided to go the following day.
Friday, July 26, we went to Schiphol to get our suitcases, since we had cancelled everything. To our surprise, shock and frustration they told us that our suitcases had already been loaded on the plane that would be leaving to Ghana in two hours. We asked them to take the suitcases off the plane. After many calls were made, we were told that they will not be able to take our suitcases off the plane, but we would receive them in a few days. It is so remarkable that this can be done for passengers that board late and for us, who are no longer going to Ghana, it was not possible. My suitcases were on their way to Ghana instead of ME. Yes my suitcases were more fortunate than I. #UNATTENDEDSUITCASESONTRAVEL
We were asked to fill in reports. I gave them my address but since they couldn’t find SXM in the system, they decided to put Aruba. We requested them to call first to find out where to deliver my suitcases because I was leaving the Netherlands on August 7. Now here I am two weeks later back on my sweet St. Maarten not having executed #YearoftheReturntoGhana. Meanwhile my suitcases, I assume, are still in Ghana. Do hope they are enjoying themselves as much as I would have, had I made it to Ghana. Only one of the 11 suitcases was found and delivered albeit after more than a week. We’ve been in contact with KLM every single day and the expected return date of the luggage is unknown. KLM can’t provide us with proper answers.
In this digital era it’s unbelievable that suitcases are lost or not traceable. Waste of the baggage labels! KLM and Schiphol, you have proven that you can’t handle a crisis! I could have saved approximately $1,000 going to Ghana via the USA but I wanted to travel with the family. Thank God I did go via the Netherlands else I would be in Ghana all alone. God is great. #EVERYTHINGHAPPENSFORAREASON.
M. Blijden
