By Alex Rosaria
If you are still in doubt, hate, racism and discrimination really exist in Curaçao. After the last outcry of a radio person and father of the Minister Plenipotentiary (GevMin) that Nazis should have killed more Dutch people because a European Dutch journalist had criticized his son, I thought: should I laugh at this nonsense? But after the umpteenth hate speech against foreigners, the LGBTQ+, Asians, Jews, to name a few, my laughter has long since died.
How would my father have liked it if that journalist had suggested that the crew on one of the slave ships from Africa to our island should have overturned the ancestors of the GevMin in the Atlantic Ocean? Probably fewer people would have shrugged. Then it would have been a white attack on blacks. Because what strikes me here is that some assume that racism is a one-way street. That is not the case. Hate speech is not limited to one race, gender, or religious institution.
For years we have kept ourselves sweet with the belief that there is no hate virus here because “dozens of different nationalities live side by side”. So, we are tolerant, is the conclusion. Error. Being anti-racist and anti-hate-monger does not mean tolerating each other but fighting in deed and word so that everyone, regardless of race, colour, gender, religion, sexual preference, or mother tongue, have the same rights and obligations to be themselves.
Many institutionalized discriminations no longer exist. One of the last battles brave men and women have waged is against legal discrimination against women. Institutional discrimination against the LGBTQ+, on the other hand, persists as some groups, especially Christian organizations, continue to insist that equal rights do not apply to people of a certain sexual orientation. We need courageous men and women again, regardless of their sexual preferences, to fight against this discrimination.
The hate virus is mainly maintained through our contemporary language (use). How often have we heard: “She is black but beautiful (or intelligent or delicate)”? Names for groups such as kuli, bedji, sabachi, house negro are still used. How many times have we read in the papers that the 45 million Yoruba population in Africa is a tribe, but that word is never used for Iceland which has only 350,000 souls? Or that Amharic, a language dating back 2,000 years, with its own alphabet and spoken by 65 million people, is a dialect?
Our language is decisive. Few people say openly: I’m racist or hate speech. But that doesn’t mean it’s right. The hate virus can be compared to the coronavirus: not visible to the naked eye, but extremely contagious and subject to mutations. Like the case of the coronavirus, we need to work on the antidote. Pay close attention to our language use and that of our environment. If it discriminates or hurts a group, we need to stop it. We can’t stay in the middle, hoping this will blow over, or shove it under the rug. Sooner or later a bomb will explode.
~ 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,
When someone is in a position where his/her decision is final, we do not use euphemisms. For instance, when a minister of government wants to force through his/her will, instead of using convince we use coerce. So, when are our people in government going to realize that it is time enough for them to understand that they cannot continue to insult the intelligence of the people of Sint Maarten by coercing them into, in this case, waiving five hundred guilders in front their eyes to accept the already prepared change in the way of collecting motor vehicle taxes for 2024? The Minister of Finance has already decided that come 2024 collection of motor vehicle taxes will be done via computer. Yes, decided, because when one talks about "the last Sint Maarten number plate", that means there will not be any more number plate system. The minister is talking stickers.
One would think that after that severe cyber-attack the minister would relax, knowing that the G.E.B.E. cyber-attack was about the loss of millions. Nope, this change in the collection of number plate taxes must happen. And then to top it off, the top brass in G.E.B.E. refuse to cooperate with the investigation. Let me write it like we does say, "This is what is running St. Martin". I must alert those involved about the Dutch term "willens en wetens". The schoolchildren would say those ministers have something up their sleeves.
But I am not finished yet. "Election day should be a national holiday to avoid the informalities and dishonesty of the country's electoral process". I am confused because this is coming from a person who is on the board of a political party. Or is he also trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the voters? I do not like the use of this word but I have to ask, "Who could be that stupid?".
You want me to vote for you, but you refuse to fight for my rights, and then try to fool me off with a lousy ploy of making election day a national holiday? Does that gentleman realize that holiday goes with celebration and the use of alcohol, which is the same all over the world? Does not that gentleman know that the sale of alcohol is forbidden on election day in many countries? If he were thinking like the usual slick politician, instead of trying to fool off the employees by trying to make them believe that he is trying to make election day a national holiday, he should organize transportation for the employees, make sure that they get the allotted four hours, and hope that they would vote for his party.
As I am writing this I had to smile because I was about to write that a lot of people sent me messages via the social media, but it was only four, then I said to myself my mother used to tell us, "two is a couple and three is a crowd", so I would not be exaggerating. So yes, I saw an incriminating message from four different people on social media and I thought, not Theo again, but this time as I read further the names of three or four others were mentioned. Believe it or not, I felt relieved because it is impossible for only politicians to be involved in all the cases for which so many people were indicted. In this world people are known for their behaviour.
The French are lovers and known for their cuisine, the Dutch are stingy, people from Dominica and St. Vincent are known for provisions, Trinidad for its Calypso and the Indians, as far as we know, love money deals. So, I was not surprised to see a few names of what is known to us as East Indians mentioned in that article.
Before closing, let me mention this conversation. Mr. Russell, do you know the man who is in charge of the newspaper? Why that question? Because not every time they talk about Sint Maarteners being lazy, that is the case". OK, so you would like to speak to the Editor of the newspaper and voice your opinion?
No, we want for him to understand what is really going on". You do not need the Editor for that, what you can do is get together with some interested people who know the facts, organise a meeting with the newspaper reporter. Explain the reporter your side of the story. If it newsworthy it will be printed like it is told. And then the public can form an opinion.
But I can tell you from now that, that stigma is difficult to get rid of and your politicians are not doing much to protect the local job market either. I have worked on all six of the islands of the Netherlands Antilles. Sint Maarten is the only island on which government has not reserved, let me call it, the middle-class jobs for its people. This is not called discrimination; this is protecting those who brought you to where you are today. Why should anyone blame me for putting my people first? I do not have proof but I was told that many people were encouraged by influential people to sell land or lease it to yes, to Chinese in order to put down a supermarket. Why would I sell you my land and then I have to come back to you and give you back the same money that you paid me? That does not make any sense.
I have a question. If Sint Maarten is 16 square miles and no permits should be given for two identical businesses to be within 300 metres of each other, how many identical businesses should there be on Sint Maarten? .
Russell A. Simmons
Dear Editor,
I hate this subject with a passion. Nothing can drive apart a relationship, group of people or stop a conversation stat like abortion.
Abortion: A medical procedure that saves the life of one and ends the life of another. Simple.
It crosses all boundaries and introduces an erroneous perception of belief for many of our neighbors.
What is the lie, you may ask? Well it is all in the terminology used by the medical profession, politicians and those who support this human right. Human right? Well if we can accept one lie, “that all free people are equal in many ways”, then we should have the right to our safety and healthy bodies. Women have the right and ownership of their bodies. Good, well that’s done. Now the central lie. That the life within the womb is called a “fetus”, and not a child since its still in the woman’s body. A life, but somehow denied protection by the law to remain alive in time. Its life force is superseded by the life of the woman carrying it.
Who made that decision? Well the US Supreme Court did, passing into law Roe vs. Wade, a decision that allowed for abortions in America, and ultimately throughout the world too. Hey, if the biggest democracy in the world can decide this, so could others. Follow the quacking duck.
This past Friday , a conservative-led Supreme Court has overturned this ruling, opening up a huge bag of firecrackers ready to be lighted into an explosion of who the hell knows for sure. Can’t be good. Not for the victims of rape, incest and those whose lives are threatened by, yes, the fetus and its condition. Horrors upon horrors, we will now have each state within their union able to decide how, when and where the state can control their female population. It’s all about control.
The Conservative Right, with their religious allies, will claim the right to control women and their bodies, mostly for religious reasons (What would Jesus do?), but it is a guy thing. That’s right folks. A further lie raises its ugly head, that being “Women are equal to Men”. Well in several states within the US union that is not true. They want you to believe that women are equal to men in Texas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama and so many other states but we all know that is not true, otherwise women would be allowed to respectfully, intelligently and morally decide what to do with their bodies.
I am a spiritual and religious person, and I abhor abortion, capital punishment, paying excessive taxes and the like. As a former Franciscan Friar Tor, I met several women who truly needed an abortion. Yah, we talked and debated until we could do it no more. I could have said horrible things right out of the religious playbook most Catholics have read. You’re committing a terrible sin, you’re going to be damned, etc., etc. I did not, and in fact accompanied a young woman to and during the procedure.
Why did I assist these ladies? Well what was the truly greatest of laws given us by Christianity and many other sacred religions? We can make our own decisions. We have the right and ability to choose.
Well, here go the men again, playing God. They want to tell 50% of this planet what the hell to do. Long ago I have met men who murder owners of abortion clinics, nurses and doctors that work there too. Real God-fearing men who were members of The Army of God, a known domestic terrorist group that has declared a holy war upon the abortion genocide (as they called it).
Abortion is a destroyer of life in so many ways. I hate its conception and practice, but I acknowledge its purpose to liberate women from a future of pain and distress. Socio-economic aside, no one makes a decision like this easily. I don’t see the religious right and its many membership offer much more than words and prayers to those who truly need this procedure and assistance.
Allahu akbar – God is great, God is greatest That is true. The sacred books of most religions tell us that the righteous is a person of wisdom, who decides well. Well, folks, America is going backwards towards the time when women were to be present, but not heard, a time when men ruled the roost, even if that meant that their wives, daughters, sisters and mothers would be under their command. It’s The Hand Maiden (book to movie) in the flesh.
Ladies, is this not the time and anywhere being the place, to stand up for your rights as a human being?
Most men care about family, community and nationhood, but they have a collectively tarnished outlook on life. Many will impregnate someone, and some will stand by their choice and action by being responsible, yet many will not. I lived in the Bronx for a year, and cannot remember how many single women with children lived down the block from the guy who will not acknowledge his children. The number of single women with children has grown from 9% in 1994 to 16% in 2014. That stat has gone up since then.
Ladies, the society you live in will care for you, support and protect you only if you force it too. Take it by the horns and lead.
Ladies how can you allow a bunch of elderly lawyers(the Supreme Court) overturn Roe vs. Wade without a seriously revolutionary fight? In many states that you live in, politicians are going to start pressuring for other severe changes to the law, and how society views citizens’ rights and privileges.
Friends in the LBGTQ community, look out! You’re next in line. How about overturning same-sex marriages? Maybe there will be a return to some horrid southern traditions. Who knows?
Fight for what is right, including the Right to Life. Stop lying about your intentions. If God were like us, would each of you be dictated to? Or would you be allowed to choose, even if it is a bitter thing.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
His Highness Willem Alexander, Honorable Mr. Rutte,
I write this letter as a follow-up on our personal meeting on Bonaire, November 16, 2013, and following letters communications. Especially my prior letters to your Highness of June 9, 2017, and October 22, 2017, and July 4, 2018 based on your promise to me and the people of Bonaire on violations of the United Nations Charter, Human Rights and International Law by your government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
As your Highness would be aware of that your promise was not complied with, on the contrary was broken and your government abusing their power and without any remorse illegally annexed our people and island by embedding us in your constitution in October 2017 under unequal rights in violation of all humanity rights.
As your Highness may know that the Dutch government recently instructed three main Dutch constitutional and legal experts Prof. dr. Gert Oostindie, Prof. Gerhard Hoogers, and dr. Wouter Veenendaal to investigate our organization’s continuous allegations and protests of the violations of the UN Charter on self-determination and human rights and international law since the illegal annexation of 10-10-10. The same as I informed you in our conversation in September 2013.
For your Highness’ information these experts in a recent press release and report admitted and confirmed that our island Bonaire and former Netherlands Antilles decolonization was never confirmed by the United Nations. And furthermore that Bonaire and the other former Netherlands Antilles islands were unjustly removed from the UN list when your government gave its own interpretation to the United Nations Charter article 73. The Netherlands was incorrectly absolved from its reporting obligations and compliance to article 73 when they implemented the Statute in 1955.
For us as Bonaire this admission of the truth is a huge step on the road to the re-listing on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. As your Highness may remember that you questioned me very seriously if what I want was independence, where I answered to you, no. That I want our people’s self-determination rights to be restored and respected according to United Nations article 73.
The world was misled that we as former Netherlands Antilles were free and equal in your Kingdom. By this recent historical admission after almost 70 years by your own constitutional experts exposed that your government since 1954 wrongfully remains in violation of your own co-signed UN Charter and human rights conventions.
Recently we received very disturbing indications that your intelligence service has all my personal communications wire-tapped. I herewith kindly request your Highness’ influence and cooperation to stop the Dutch government immediately from its illegal practices of violations of my human rights.
I seemingly became a victim of your government’s colonial political repressive actions, as there were three attempts on my life, in September 2012, January 2015 and June 2017 and I was unlawfully arrested in September 2019, all because standing up and voicing against your government article 73 human rights violations, your own truths that are now admitted by your own experts.
Finally I have no other choice to put your Highness Kingdom Government responsible for any attempt on my life.
We hope that you as our King, which we all highly respect, will take the responsibility to do everything in your power to address your government’s cooperation to return us back to the list of Non-Self-Governing-Territories of the United Nations. According to Article 73 your government’s obligations to restore our right to emancipation and nation-building, our self-government back to our people as your promise to me on November 16, 2013, and Queen Wilhelmina promised to the United Nations and the world and the Kingdom signed on June 26, 1945, and Kingdom Law of July 1, 1863 , where we all be equally human and equally free.
With utmost trust in the Justice and Equity of Your Royal Highness,
James Finies
Dear Editor,
What has become of the project to connect Philipsburg homes and businesses to the main sewer system which began almost two decades ago?
Millions of dollars have been spent to lay the foundation for this project with pipes, etc., being placed in the ground in anticipation of the homes and businesses being connected. I would like the Minister of VROMI [Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure – Ed.] to tell me how exactly does the process work? Why spend millions to begin this project and then for no apparent reason just stop?
I only became aware that this project was never completed after contacting a local company to undertake two sewer connections for my businesses, when I was informed by that company that “the sewer system to the west of Weduwensteeg is not yet connected to the main sewer system and cannot be used at the moment.” This is just not about the inconvenience, but a question of how government money is spent.
How does the government operate with these huge financial projects with no continuity? As far as I've been made aware, the pipes have already been placed underground so I do not understand why they would spend millions doing this and not follow through. Millions of dollars are being wasted every year pumping sewerage when the infrastructure is in place to complete a project that was started when the now Minister of VROMI wasn’t even old enough to vote. Why has this project been abandoned? Is it that they have forgotten about it?
On Front Street, Back Street and Cannegieter Street the pipes have already been placed underground and I hope that the Department of VROMI can look into this and provide some answers to the residents and businesses in the impacted area.
Don Hughes
