'Just the beginning of rising global demands of natives for their human rights of self-preservation'.
It went down, without a 'splash' in the local media.
Apparently, the TODAY-newspaper, of Thursday, February 21 tried to 'down-play' it's profound significance, by posting it 'inconspicuously' on page 6, which read; Asscher; All foreigners to sign 'participation contract'.
No editorial, no commentary – yeah - no nothing – just bring it like the proverbial 'thief in the night' and hope that nobody reads it, and certainly pays any due attention to its implication for our own island.
But, my dear friend 'Bert' Haar – 'nice try' – but, you gotta come again.
Too bad for you, but many people did read it and some even understood its many implications.
For one, the concept as proposed by Lodewijk Asscher, fundamentally is no different than what has been championed under challenging conditions, by me, your good friend, Leopold James, for my own country of heritage – St. Martin.
But alas, what a difference day makes for Mr. Haar, depending on who writes what.
As soon as, a letter to the editor by Leopold James, is received on the computer or Blackberry of Mr. HAAR, it immediately gets 'under his skin', unleashing the proverbial 'kneejerk reactions' and then 'all hell broke lose'.
Haar then unleashes, vicious, editorials, commentaries and personal attacks on 'messenger' Leopold James – depicting him every conceivable 'xenophobic wacko'.
Not this time though with the proposal by Mr. Lodewijk Ascher – All foreigners to sign 'participation contract'.
For the record.
Lodewijk Asscher is no Dutch 'John Doe'
Just 'google' Lodewijk Asscher for yourselves.
In summary, Lodewijk Frans Asscher is a powerful Dutch politician of the Labour Party. He has been the Deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands and Minister of Social Affairs and Employment in the Cabinet Rutte II since November 5, 2012.
Now let is compare, Deputy Prime Minister Lodewijk Asscher's proposed 'participation contract' with our St. Martin grassroots pledge of allegiance, to be signed by all its board-members and associates.
Without going into any detail, what becomes more than evident, reading both documents is that they are de facto based on similar underlying motives.
The main one being that they in fact are intended to make sure that immigrants -'outsiders' if you will - will never be able to commit '(cultural-) genocide by substitution' on their respective native people !
In other words.
All those 'new-comers' to the respective countries of heritage, might be most welcome if they are of an 'added value' AND if they de facto commit themselves to preserving the cultural-heritage of the host-country and by doing, so commit themselves to the native people's rights to remain the host at all times !
That is 'key-element' both documents have in common and which of course makes all the sense in the world.
This 'universal principle' that 'Charity should start at home' , that connects the Dutch proposed 'Participation contract' and the Grassroots St. Martin Pledge of allegiance, is the true reason, why my great 'nemesis' Hilbert Haar, did his utmost best to avoid commenting on the issue.
He full well realizes that it only can boost the image and credibility of our own local, native St. Martin grassroots movement.
Alas, for 'Bert'.
Not knowing what it is to have a real home and to be rooted somewhere, he is the one increasingly becoming out of touch.
Cases in point.
Even our formerly 'sleepy' sister islands Saba, Statia and Bonaire, people are starting to awaken to the importance of 'self-preservation', now that they are seeing and starting to feel the implications of the neo-colonial relationship with 'Mother-land' Holland.
Although, I cautioned them for years , it is finally starting to sink their minds, that when one does not define oneself culturally and does not protect one's own cultural heritage- and identity, one puts one's self totally at risk of imported 'alien cultures' .
This process is called cultural imperialism and it is a very stealthily and effective method to wipe out an entire people – bloodlessly.
In this regard, we commend in Saba, Will Johnson, for starting to re-recognize the importance of his Saba indigenous people and for re-start his own newspaper - online - it is a very good and necessary initiative.
Also, my former student and psychologist in Statia, drs. Xiomara Balentina, for stepping up to the plate and organizing an I-petition drive for a new referendum on that island.
One thing all these initiatives, that on face value look un-connected, have in common is the natural and even divine incline of every living creature to preserve self – and a people's effort towards self preservation is a most powerful expression of such energy.
What is now lacking and is a veritable 'nightmare' to its opponents – is the networking between all of these global initiatives and sharing their potentials.
So, politicians and media –collaborators, just start get used to that scenario- it is inevitable !
Thanks for your attention.
Leopold JAMES
President of the St. Martin grassroots people movement and still...
A proud, conscious, native, indigenous St. Martiner – without apologies.