Dear Editor,
As we pause to reflect on the anniversaries of Hurricanes Louis and Irma, I ask you to not only remember the catastrophic damage to our beautiful island, St. Maarten, but to also focus on the mental health of our people. St. Maarten has experienced some of the most catastrophic hurricanes, and yes, we are known for being resilient. However, it’s important to recognize the toll these disasters have taken on our community.
In the past seven years, we have experienced not just the destructive force of a hurricane like Irma, but also the widespread impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. These events have not only damaged our homes and infrastructure but also our mental health. Our parents, ourselves, and our children have endured a great deal of stress and trauma.
While it is often said that we are a resilient people, resilience does not mean that we are unaffected. Our society's mental health is suffering. We notice this in our heightened levels of anxiety and stress, in people exploding over minor issues, and in the rising cases of violence and mental health problems. Tragically, we have also seen an increase in suicide cases.
I believe it is high time for us, as a community and as a government, to prioritize mental health. It is crucial to provide support for everyone, especially our frontline workers who are often the first to deal with the aftermath of disasters, our teachers who shape the minds of our future, and our children and our seniors who are the most vulnerable.
Mental health should not be a topic of shame or fear. Just as we rebuild our physical infrastructure after a hurricane, we must also rebuild our emotional and psychological well-being. By providing adequate mental health services, creating awareness, and encouraging open conversations, we can foster a healthier and happier society.
Acknowledging and addressing the mental health needs of our people is not just a responsibility but a necessity. Let us take this opportunity to come together and support each other, ensuring that our community remains not only resilient, but also mentally strong and compassionate.
Richinel Brug
Member of Parliament
By Alex Rosaria
Civil society organizations play a crucial role in promoting, defending, and highlighting human rights. Today, I focus once again on one of the organizations dedicated to protecting these rights in Curaçao. Previously, I discussed the Committee for Human Rights for Curaçao, and now I want to address another key player: Komité Amistat i Solidaridat ku Pueblonan (KASP).
KASP was established in June 1981 with a clear mission: to defend and promote human rights in Curaçao, within the Netherlands Antilles, the Caribbean, and Latin America. This mission aligned with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The team behind KASP included dedicated members such as Amanda Arends, Melene Kook, Ange Godfried, Sergio Olaria, Ranulfo Betrian, Humphrey Paulina, Eugene Godfried, and Eus Anthony.
One of KASP’s early initiatives was a nearly three-week trip to Grenada in July 1981. This would be the first of many trips, earning the organization the derisive label of a “socialist travel agency”.
In the first edition of their monthly magazine “Sentebibu”, Grenada, led by the Marxist-Leninist Maurice Bishop, was praised as a paradise on earth. This led to critical questions from the local press, highlighting that Bishop had come to power through a coup, suspended the constitution, imprisoned political opponents, and restricted press freedom.
KASP did not shy away from confronting local authorities. In August 1981, the organization criticized Governor Ornelio Martina for banning a performance by Cuban artists in Curaçao. KASP also organized a protest march against what they called “terror and intolerance towards anyone who thinks differently in Curaçao,” clearly advocating for inclusion.
While KASP initially focused on human rights, its focus gradually shifted towards political activities. The organization openly criticized certain local political parties, praised leftist parties, and even provided voting advice. In their view, capitalist countries were the root of all the world’s problems, and KASP admired socialist or Marxist regimes in the region, such as those in Nicaragua, Grenada, and Cuba.
A notable incident occurred during a trip by Eugene Godfried to Cuba, where he delivered a speech on behalf of the Antilles. He criticized the US, using language that was considered offensive by the people of Aruba. This led to sharp criticism from the Aruban newspaper “Diario”, which emphasized that Curaçao should not interfere in Aruban affairs.
The contrast between KASP and the Committee for Human Rights of Curaçao is clear. While the Committee has consistently focused on human rights, KASP gradually shifted its focus to political activism.
Despite these differences, I am grateful for the work of both organizations. Each, in its own way, has contributed to the struggle for human rights. Although their methods may not align with today’s reality, one thing is certain: the need to stand up for human rights is as important today as it was then.
~ Alex David Rosaria (53) is a freelance consultant active in Asia and the 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 is from Curaçao and has an MBA from University of Iowa (USA). ~
Dear Editor,
I am usually awakened out of a sound sleep with my heart pounding which always results into a bursting headache (Advil is my new norm of life which with long usage can damage to the kidneys) by the sound of loud music penetrating my bedroom. This loud music comes from 721 on the airport road (the place that burnt down a few months ago and was recently rebuilt).
There is no consideration or respect for the neighbors, the elderly, the sick, the school-age children or the working class.
How can anyone function when they lack or is deprived of sleep not of their own accord but due to the self-interest of others.
Whenever 721 is operating I end up having to pace for hours in my home and I am unable to fall asleep again. Many times I have called the police station after 2:00am pleading for help. The dispatchers are always extremely sympathetic to my plea.
I applaud the ministry of TEATT [Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication – Ed.] for taking up the cause; this has become unbearable for us the seniors living in the surrounding area.
Andrew Dick, please take note that Cappucino restaurant does not cause (us) the nearby residents sleepless nights; if they do play music it is at a level whereby it is only heard inside their establishment.
I do not understand for the love of me how 721 could re-open under the same conditions with endless complaints from the surrounding neighbors. The fact that previous ongoing complaints and signatures have been filed with ALL relevant authorities and again we are faced with this.
I am pleading to the authorities to intervene on our behalf, the sick, the elderly, the school-going children and the working class. Lack of a good night sleep is detrimental to our health, our ability to function and concentrate properly (think of the school-going children).
Deprived of my right to a good night’s rest.
J. Christian
Initial used at author’s request.
Dear Editor,
Really and truly these radio station deejays on both sides of the Island are sickening. They don't play enough reggae music for the tourists and for the people here.
Many times we have to put our radio on a foreign radio station to get some reggae music. And by doing so we even hear St. Maarten reggae artistes’ music on foreign radio stations.
Lady Grace should be playing more local music than giving us foreign artiste histories.
In these times people are almost giving up on these politicians. We need more reggae music to be played.
And play the local reggae artistes’ music to give the people hope and confidence in this time.
Cuthbert Bannis
Dear Editor,
I’ve watched and listened to many elections results, but none has ever captured my attention like the recently held elections of Monday, August 19, 2024. Previously, I focused mostly on which parties acquired enough votes to come into consideration for serious negotiations, the allocation of seats, and which candidates were selected to become part of the legislature.
But when Chairlady Nathalie Tackling of the Main Voting Bureau announced the preliminary findings in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, and indicated that objections could be made on the following Monday, I was curious to see which party would challenge the outcome.
Monday, August 26, arrived and MPs Omar Ottley (UP), Silveria Jacobs (NA) and candidate Chris Weaver (URSM), took the opportunity to express their observations at several polling districts and then asked that these stations be looked into, to clarify any misconceptions.
Knowing this, I was extremely grateful that these requests were made and granted, because I learnt a great deal about the mechanisms of the Main Voting Bureau, through this recounting process. I had no interest in this process before, until the Chairlady explained some of the procedures, and at the same time, she connected the laws that reinforced the process, which ultimately uphold the integrity of the Bureau.
Even though in the initial stage there were just a few polling stations slated to be recounted, eventually this initiative was changed to the recounting of all 20 polling stations. This was done primarily to maintain the practices of transparency and integrity. I deeply appreciated this persistence to validate any error and to have everything squared off, in order to present a more accurate result in the end.
Throughout the three long days, I enjoyed the non-stop humor and the camaraderie amongst the group, which exhibited the leadership skills of Chairlady Nathalie Tackling. But her subordinates were very attentive. When an error was made, due to the tedious procedure, they assisted quickly to avoid any misconceptions and kept the process moving.
As the hours seemed to crawl, what a brilliant shift by Chairlady Nathalie Tackling to speed up the counting process, by involving the entire group to open all the packets of a specific polling station at once, rather than having one member assigned to that specific task.
Despite the many teaching moments that occurred throughout the recounting of the ballots across all polling districts, the highlight of this entire exercise was when I watched all of the members sit on the floor opening the packets like little children. This was the icing on the cake!
When I saw this, I rolled several times on my bed and laughed out loud and said to myself, “I’ve never seen this before. This is not happening for real, on live television.” You all really made my day, just to watch that unusual display. Even now writing this article, I’m dying with laughter. It was so funny! It’s a sight that I will never forget.
All jokes aside. But on the flipside of this interesting task, it has really underscored the leadership skills of Chairlady Nathalie Tackling. If her face wasn’t familiar to the viewing public, it was difficult to identify who was in charge, because every member was working together as a unit, and the Chairlady did not display any form of seniority. This is an image that will stay with me for a lifetime.
Regarding the bet as to what time the final count would have been, I was on target with the approximate time of 11:45pm. So, Madam Chairlady, you owe me some snacks! In the meantime, continue to educate and always preserve the principles of transparency and integrity.
Joslyn Morton
