Today we are called to recognize a challenging truth: the climate crisis we face is not only an environmental issue; it is deeply rooted in colonialism. And for places like our island Bonaire, this colonial impact is not just history – it is an ongoing reality.
Bonaire is not post-colonial. We are not yet free from colonial influence and domination, because today Bonaire continues to experience oppression under contemporary colonialism. Though we may appear on the map as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, we are annexed and imbedded in the Dutch constitution under unequal rights and against the wishes and democratic vote of the Bonerians. Our people lack the freedom to govern their own lands fully, to protect their resources, or to shape their future without interference. Holland maintains significant control over Bonaire, making decisions that profoundly impact on our environment, economy, and community.
For decades, colonial powers exploited and extracted resources from across the globe with little regard for the local environments or the people who depended on them. This exploitation, which has fuelled the global climate crisis, continues in places like Bonaire. From policies that prioritize foreign interests over local needs to decisions that limit our community’s ability to protect and manage our resources, the legacy of colonialism is alive in a modern form.
Today, the people of Bonaire are experiencing the consequences of climate change more acutely than those in power. Rising sea levels threaten our coasts, extreme weather endangers our homes, and access to resources becomes increasingly strained. Yet, despite bearing these burdens, Bonaire has limited power to enact policies that prioritize local environmental protection over external profit.
In this context, climate justice for Bonaire must also be about freedom from colonial oppression. It must mean recognizing our right to self-govern, to safeguard our resources, and to lead our environmental stewardship. The world must understand that addressing the climate crisis is inseparable from dismantling the systems of control and exploitation that colonialism has left – in our case continues colonial systems that Holland continues to impose on Bonaire.
As we seek solutions to the climate crisis, we must not overlook the realities of contemporary colonialism. Colonization, the inhuman, illegal invasion and extraction of our natural resources, destroyed our nature, our habitat, our way life, led to today’s climate and environmental crisis.
The problem is not global warming or climate crisis, these are consequences, the problem is colonialism, the insatiable unsustainable greed of the colonizers that keep modernizing their methods and systems to the extreme limits we are nearing now.
Now the same colonizers are coming back and saying the world has a problem, yes, after you invaded and destroyed our territories and our world, left us behind wrecked, ruined and called us 3rd world, you coming back to us now for what? Because your unsustainable 1st world is running out of options?
There is no green, blue or orange future for us as colonized peoples in our colonized territories.
We must advocate true sustainability and that is only possible through true equality and true freedom, for our island Bonaire and other communities still affected under this oppressive, extractive, ruinous colonial legacy.
Only then can we work toward a future where our people can build resilience, protect their lands, and ensure a sustainable and just world for generations to come.
James Finies
Bonaire Human Rights Organization
Dear Editor,
It looks as if we are heading towards a catastrophic flooding as we had in the late 90’s.
The rain has stopped now for about a day or so, the Fresh Pond has been lowered (well done ), but it is obvious the main pumps, 3 in total, to control the level of the Great Salt Pond do not appear to be working.
The water is already covering half of the public parking areas on Pondfill.
I think it would be very wise to have someone look into what is happening with VROMI as they are in charge of maintaining these critical pumps.
One more heavy rain soon and we will be under water again.
A concerned citizen
Name withheld at author’s request.
Dear Editor,
I want to echo words of encouragement and appreciation to outgoing Minister of VSA [Public Health, Social Development, and Labor – Ed.] Veronica Jansen-Webster, who will be taking up her seat in parliament very shortly. Minister, I know that you are hurt and disappointed with this unfair transition – an alteration that was forced upon you because of greed, malice and a lack of connection with their spiritual selves.
The manner in which Prime Minister Luc Mercelina and MP Richniel Brug treated you is unethical, unfair and dirty to the core. But don’t you worry, Minister Veronica Jansen-Webster. Karma is a very good friend to all those who traverse on her path, without an invitation.
Neither Prime Minister Luc Mercelina nor Richniel Brug could address this community, with regard to integrity. The population should have never accepted this underhand precedent that is bound to cause problems in the future. They should have demanded the immediate resignation of Prime Minister Luc Mecerlina, for his negligence and unprincipled behaviour.
In addition, how could Prime Minister Luc Mercelina allow MP Richniel Brug’s incoming Chief of Staff to sit in Minister Veronica Jansen-Webster’s cabinet as if she is in charge, while Minister Veronica Jansen-Webster has her own Chief of Staff? If this is the path that the Prime Minister and the MP have taken, how could the population trust either one of them? This is trouble brewing down the line.
This reminds me of a situation where a politician asked a Department Head to train her immediate family member. Shortly after that, she fired the individual, so that her family member could take over the position. But, as the saying goes, life is a circle. Nothing that starts wrong, will end up right.
So, Minister Veronica Jansen-Webster, use this obstruction as an inspiration for spiritual growth. As you transition to your new position, approach your task with the same spirit of devotion, knowing that you have done your best to maintain the integrity of your ministry. Here’s a little poem that I came across, just for you.
Keep Going
When the path is tough and steep
And it’s hard for you to keep
Remember God is by your side
To lead, to help, to be your guide.
Like Noah, strong in every way
He trusted God day by day.
So when you feel you’ve had enough
Just keep going, stay strong and tough!
Joslyn Morton
Dear Editor,
Soon or later in the near future, Curaçao, Aruba and St. Maarten (CAS islands) will be independent some day. The UN (United Nations) did expect many nations to go independent by the year 2000.
So, if the Dutch are calling on the CAS islands to go independent and the Dutch appoint me for two to three months as the state secretary for the Dutch Caribbean, l will see to it that there will be no referendum or no two thirds of any of the three islands’ parliamentarians’ vote needed to get their independence.
I would rather give the three islands a mandate to declare their independence by 2029; and one of St. Maarteners’ priorities is to have their own central bank and to uplift their justice system here in St. Maarten.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
There is a saying “look before you leap” which over the years has come to mind often when reading what was written about politicians and people in government. Even though I like to share my experience, I believe that silence is golden. It enables one to hear what is being said.
Sadly to say, what I have grown accustomed to is that the majority of our elected officials are not or very poorly versed in the Constitution and laws concerning how the country is run. I use the newspaper for information because it is printed black on white and when mistakes are made or discovered, these are corrected.
People in government play the blame game. I know that some people will say that I should be aware that new laws are published in the “National Gazette” and to that I say, “Hey, people, wake up.” Why? Because I believe that it is time for us to be aware of the term “To photo shop”. I am referring to this because it is expected of those who live here officially to make sure that they are aware of the laws of the land. Who is responsible for explaining this to those who are given residency for St. Maarten?
Are we taking “photo shopping” into consideration when new laws are publicized? Since 10-10-’10 we have had umpteen governments and then, hoorah, the Silveria Jacobs government lasted its full term. New elections were held. And then, lo and behold, within three weeks after forming the new government, the electorate were again confronted with the fall of the government.
The Silveria Jacobs government helped us to regain some dignity. 0ne would think that those vying for a seat in government would appreciate the so-needed continuity of government. Wrong, that is not what those who have proven themselves not to be worthy to be called representative of the people were about. Within a year here we are again getting ready to inaugurate a second government.
And then in the paper of November 13 I read that Ministry of Justice introduces appeal process for civil servants placements. And I thought, are we reinventing the wheel? I stand corrected, but even though it is 18 years later, the process for civil servants to appeal against placements and promotions has always existed.
One of my qualms for years has been the reason for those salaries of members of Parliament. I never agreed with it for the simple reason that the SGs are expected to have a certain education, whereas it is not even required for members of Parliament and by extension a Minister of government to have any kind of education. But again, if CIVICS is not taught in school from an early age, in the land of the blind the one-eyed man becomes king.
By now anyone should know that I am very aware that nobody is perfect, but what I do not understand is when one is caught red-handed, why fight it all the way to the Supreme Court. Have they not learned yet that in St. Maarten for a long time now the term “under the table” has been “on the table”?
And on Tuesday last when I hollered out to a driver who stopped his vehicle in the middle of the intersection to talk to a pedestrian to “Do the right thing” the pedestrian said to me, “In Sint Maarten it’s not ‘do the right thing’ it is ‘do the money thing’.”
Again I am expecting all kinds of reaction, but since we are into making laws, what about a study to make DNA testing by birth a law in order to be able to establish who the father of the newborn baby is.? Hopefully this will become a deterrent in their behavior. I believe that the lack of both parents of any child plays a factor in the growth process of that child. Our census office should be able to provide statistics whether a child is acknowledged by the father or not and compare the behavior of non-acknowledged children as opposed to acknowledged children (father at home). We need all hands on deck.
And while they are busy with that, check to see what that gypsy gang on Cannegieter Street is all about. From Afoo to Sucker Garden (The Keys) is US $5.
Russell A. Simmons
