Dear Editor,
It is now almost two years since Hurricane Irma brought us to our knees, with such devastating and destructive power, that it will remain in St. Maarten’s history as the most terrible hurricane so far. I know most of us would not want to face another monster hurricane like Irma again. The thought of another hurricane like Irma alone would be enough to move your bowels.
Since that time up to the present, as we look around this island, we can see that there is still more to done to get us back on track. For instance, when driving around this island our roundabouts are in need of dire care and restoration as most trees once planted have dried up, some yachts are still drifting in the waters like monuments of a past disaster, many people are still without a home, some waiting for repairs, but most important for our economy, our airport is still in need of complete repair.
Yes, back-and-forth talk and dialogue has been going on, but much is being said, but little done. As we know it now boils down to the fact that the Dutch have promised financial support, but they are not going to play “Father Christmas”. Nothing will be given for free. It’s like saying: “You will receive, but you have to first bow to our request and demands or you wouldn’t get a red cent!” “You need what we have in abundance...”
So as it seems, dear editor, the Dutch are playing their rhythm, and we have no other choice but to dance to their tunes. Yes, the Dutch may be using, the destruction of Hurricane Irma as a good opportunity to humble us, and show us who is really the big boss. Since Hurricane Irma in 2017, we are now already again in another hurricane season, and God forbid that we get another blow at this time as we have not yet even fully resolved all the pending problems Hurricane Irma brought to this island.
During one of our parliament meetings some time ago, our Prime Minister was accused by a member of parliament that she was giving in too much to the demands or requests of the Dutch. Yes, the Europeans used their wealth, wisdom, and power to enslave our forefathers of this island, and we would want to seek total freedom or independence from the now psychological enslavement our generation today is facing. But dear editor, the old people have a saying: “Dog does need he tail more than once.”
Should another hurricane or disaster, God forbid, trike this island again, then who can we run to for help, or which country can we count on to receive direct help? Whose obligation it would be to render their first-hand service and aid to our little helpless island St. Maarten? Can we run to the US, Russia, China, England, Africa, France, (Oh, yes the French side can do that), or any of the smaller Caribbean islands who, in times of disaster, can’t even help themselves?
Now I am not saying that we should accept anything the Dutch throw at us, but we are still part of the Dutch Kingdom, so we must expect them, even before any other nation, to do a much greater part in helping us. Hurricane Irma was the first of its kind, but it will not be the last. And let us bear in mind that it need not necessary be another monster hurricane again. Disaster can strike in any other form, especially observing the times we are living in.
Dear editor, St. Maarten seems to be at a crossroad. We may not like the psychological colonial rule of the Dutch, but with not much other options in mind, I believe we will have to sacrifice our pride, because we will be dealing with the Dutch Kingdom for yet a long time more to come. Yes, independence may be sweet, but we are still far off from proving to the Dutch, and ourselves, that we can handle matters on our own. So, the Dutch will continue to play their tune, not leaving much options for us on the table but to dance.
Concerned citizen
Name withheld at author's request.
Dear Editor,
This week news broke that there would some streets named after notable figures in the fight against Dutch colonial domination and various prominent cultural producers of our islands. The celebratory-padding-ourselves-on-the-back tone of the messaging across media platforms was however off putting. Don't get me wrong, it is good that the history of the struggle against Dutch white colonial domination is highlighted through those who fought those fights. But the framing of this all is frankly rather disturbing.
In the articles about the new streets and the press release the speech of the first female mayor of Amsterdam Femke Halsema of Groenlinks was noted as the jumping off point. This erases the decades of work that grass roots campaigners and organizers have put into changing the structural and decorative landscape of the city. What this endeavour has done doesn't come close to reckoning with the continued veneration of genocidal colonists through street names in Amsterdam. It only adds the names of those who had to deal with their murderous and racist legacies and presents them as equal. Jan Pieterszoon Coen or Abel Tasman, who both have streets in de Zeeheldenbuurt, have nowhere near the same amount of courage of somebody like Quashiba. She's a hero and they're simply not. Continuing to pretend otherwise is going along with a white supremacist fantasy.
The problem with the celebratory tone of this news is that it also obscures the fact that at the moment those who are fighting injustice in the Netherlands are ridiculed, mocked and persecuted. Halsema herself has repeatedly derided the work of anti-racists in the Netherlands in national publications. In her first speech as mayor she even noted that those who 'peacefully' demanded the right to be themselves would find her on their side. I'm not so sure that she would categorize Virginia Gaai as a peaceful fighter. And this idea of the peaceful fighter coming from her is hypocritical when you consider that she as the leader of Groenlinks was instrumental in sending Dutch military troops to Afghanistan for an unjust war.
When she presented this initiative during her speech in this years perpetually woefully underfunded annual Emancipation Day observance she mentioned that she wanted the city to 'become everyone's city'. Well, it actually already is. It sounded like Halsema had yet to take the Black Heritage Tour by Jennifer Tosch. When you take the tour you would know that the buildings along the UNESCO world heritage canals are still unabashedly boasting architectural references to slavery and colonial products. From sculptures of sugar cones and tobacco leaves to actual busts of people of African descent and Black children as accessories for white gentry. Amsterdam is as much Halsema's city as it is from a kid with ancestry to those who toiled on this island during slavery who will go to one of our primary schools come the beginning of the school year. The city of Amsterdam was namely part owner of the West Indian Company under whose umbrella St. Maarten was colonized, administrated and its salt ponds were exploited.
The problem with street naming vanity projects such as these is that it attempts to ahistorically right a historical wrong by decentering responsibility to repair the damage that was done. As mentioned earlier, the Zeeheldenbuurt for instance will not be touched. The murderous villains in world history will still be upheld as heroes within the Amsterdam city context. The same can be said about the Transvaalbuurt with among others its Paul Krugerplein. Kruger was a late 19th century leader of the Boers, descendants of VOC invaders in Southern Africa, who abducted women and children from the Tswana and Basothos chiefdoms and enslaved them to work in their homes. It's bizarre that this man still has squares, streets, avenues and roads named after him and we're supposed to be happy with a few streets in a far away part of the city that, no offence to IJburg, most don't visit unless you have to.
Let's not forget that the only reason the names were chosen for these streets is because last year people objected to the naming committee naming the streets in this new part of the city based on a battle against the Spanish. The 1573 battled led to a release from Spanish power and Amsterdam becoming the violent and aggressive geopolitical player it became through colonial pillaging, genocide, slavery and the all round awful things it sent its sailors to do in other parts of the world. That the but-colonialism-and-slavery-was-so-long-ago crowds do however seem to find this important to remember is telling. By presenting the name change as something that Halsema came up with negates the fact that the mayor's office has yet to formally apologize for slavery and recently had to be forced by the new city council to do so by July 1st 2020. The time up until then will be spent researching the extent of Amsterdam's involvement, which in all likely translates to figuring out how to downplay how much damage they wreaked on our ancestors on the islands and how that continues to contribute to the way in which The Hague views us and treats us.
It's great that Camille Baly is getting the recognition that he deserves, but that should not be limited to this street. His work should be included in every high school English literature list. At the moment it isn't. It's terrific that Roestam Effendi is being highlighted, but does this mean that Amsterdam will acknowledge the Indonesian date of independence or stick with the Dutch one that places it fours year later? It's awesome that Frank Martinus Arion is getting a street, but will that lead to an awareness of what he before his passing called the Dutch recolonization of the islands? How will these streets contribute to the emancipation of the communities of color in the city who are still subjected to lower life expectancy, higher poverty rates, housing discrimination and racist work impediments? My hope is that collectively we prick through the facade of these superficial attempts to jump on the bandwagon of decolonization and push those in power to get on with the actual process of it. Street names and recognition are good, but reparations are better.
Quinsy Gario
Dear Editor,
Middle Region and all the rest of those who live, work and sometimes visit loved ones and relatives on the east side of the island want our hosts to invite the transport minister, St. Maarten United Bus Drivers’ association president and members to the radio and TV stations for interviews concerning the lack of bus service at the east side of Dutch St. Maarten, so that the public can hear and monitor their plans and hold them accountable for not having buses running on the east side of the island.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
As long as I have worked on St. Maarten, people from all over the world have sought out St. Maarten for either a steppingstone or to better their life as in the case with Venroy Cargill. Looking at his record I would assume it was/is to better his life.
This happens all over the world. What I do not agree with, and I hope that the competent authorities would also see it in the same light as I do, is that no one who has come here to have a better life, should be so “bold faced” to have a story boasting of their illegal behavior (gypsy taxi driver) printed on the front page of the local newspaper. And to top it off, letting the people know that every night he sleeps in his car across from the Police Station.
This reminds of your editorial of a few months ago in which you cited the consequence of complacency. I have an idea why Gargill would feel free to do what he himself claims to be doing, but no one should be compensated for doing wrong.
I do not think that story was exaggerated and I hope that Gargill cannot claim that he did not know that that article would be printed, but what I know is that this behavior should not be unattended to.
My first reaction was that this should serve as a wakeup call for all the people in government. Especially those who are not showing the political will to do the positive things, but are only there for self-enrichment. The fact that that story is on the front page tells me several, but not so pleasant, things. A slap in the face of government came to mind, but then again this is my opinion.
This was long in coming, because time and time again we have seen and heard that the majority of the members of Parliament execute their tasks based on “not losing votes” and in doing so, not neglect to, but refuse to take a stand against whatever is not popular (remember this next election).
A 67-year-old Jamaican who was granted permanent residency is showing the St. Maarten government that because they are not taking care of him, he is going to do whatever it takes to survive, whether legal or illegal.
I must say this. This past weekend the Jamaicans on St. Maarten got permission to organize a parade and fête to celebrate the independence of Jamaica. This tells me that they are organized. So, taking into account the blame that Venroy Cargill wants to pass on, my suggestion is this. Whichever citizen of whichever nation who can organize themselves to celebrate should also organize themselves to avoid embarrassing situations caused by their fellow countrymen.
I know of thousands of people worldwide who are still saying “Thank you, St. Maarten” today.
Russell A. Simmons
Curaçao is currently going through a very serious economic crisis. It is therefore understandable that not many people listen to any kind of solidarity with the many Venezuelans who have fled to our country.
But is it wise not to show solidarity with the victims of the catastrophe in Venezuela? Would it not be better, for example, to think of a temporary work permit? Below are some reasons why that is also in the interest of Curaçao.
Life expectancy: The costs of public services in a country like Curaçao are high. Financing this is becoming increasingly difficult for two reasons. First of all: the local population growth is shrinking. This is due to emigration, especially to the Netherlands, and a low fertility rate of on average 1.7 children per woman during her lifetime, while that must be 2.1 on average to keep the population stable.
The other reason is the increase in life expectancy: it is 78 years on Curaçao and continues to rise. It goes without saying that having fewer people of productive age and the increase in the number of retirees poses financial problems without increasing taxes. The alternative is to levy taxes on those who do not pay taxes as follows: the average age of people who have arrived from Venezuela in recent years is between 25 and 40 years. That is an age where people are in their most productive phase of life. An ideal group to contribute to taxes without incurring excessive health or pension costs.
But in Curaçao there is a fear that these Venezuelans will take the jobs of the local population. A survey by the International Organization for Migrants (IOM) at the turn of the year shows that almost all of these Venezuelan migrants are already working. Only they do not pay taxes, because that would be more attractive for employers. The same research shows that a high percentage of them want to return to their country as soon as the circumstances change. Perfect candidates for a temporary work permit, and perhaps a residence permit without building up residence rights.
The cost of detaining someone in the barracks for “illegal immigrants” costs Curaçao 350 guilders a day, according to the minister of justice. In addition, there are costs for the immigration service and for the deportation of immigrants.
Wouldn’t it be better to use those resources to increase security on our island? Don’t forget that various international organizations and countries finance a large part of the costs of hosting Venezuelan refugees such as Brazil and Colombia. A good humanitarian plan in Curaçao can also count on such financing.
No country is safe: The people who are currently leaving Venezuela do not simply do so because they are looking for better economic or social opportunities. They do so in order to survive because they leave a country that, even though it is not at war, does have all the characteristics of an armed conflict.
A few years ago, no one could imagine that such a situation could occur in a country with as much wealth as Venezuela. Unfortunately, no country is safe from a similar collapse, either for natural or political reasons.
A migration crisis such as that of the Venezuelans is a problem for all humanity. This is also seen by various UN organizations that have published about this crisis. Unfortunately, Curaçao is not doing well in terms of human rights protection in these reports. It is high time to do the right thing.
Alfredo Limongi
Curaçao
