Here is a very interesting quote of the news-paper clipping hereby attached.
'Outstanding issues to the constitution are safeguarding the rights of the indigenous St. Maarteners to guarantee that they won't be marginalised'.
When I actually read it, I too wondered, whether it was a mistake by the newspaper, or whether the lady was 'out of touch' with the 'modus operandi' of politicians to be 'politically correct' in order to stay in power for as long as it takes...
Or, just remotely, maybe, perhaps, it was no mistake and that the lady really has seen the light and really is sincere about what she said..
Granted, her DP-party has been in Government for about a half century, more than any other party in the island's history...
Granted as well, that her DP-party more than any other institution on the island, is responsible for the loss of identity and pride in their heritage of native-indigenous St. Martiners...
Granted too, is the fact that the DP-party deserves the 'un-distinct recognition', for having giving 'foreigners' the feeling that there was no need to acknowledge, let alone respect native-indigenous St. Martiners.
Oh yes, more than any other organization it has been the DP-party that has transformed and elevated vices such as greed, materialism and disregard for our native heritage and monuments into a national policy, which resulted into a total lack of self-confidence of the native St. Martiners.
Certainly, more than any other institution also, the DP is responsible for the native St. Martiners following into the foot-steps of their predecessors the Amer-Indians towards oblivion, extinction and genocide by substitution.
Therefore, to many the recent comments made by the leader of the DP, Mrs. Sarah WESCOTT-WILLIAMS pertaining to safeguarding the rights of the indigenous St. Martin people, can come across as a monumental paradigm-shift, in every sense of the word on the island.
However.
Whether, she made these comments based on opportunism, or because she is in the opposition, or because she now is in much closer contact with the real life of the St. Martiners, or even whether via the younger members on her party-list, she finally is getting the message we have been preaching for decades, is even less relevant.
Less relevant, because not even the NA, nor the PPA when in opposition ever showed that concern for the native-indigenous St. Martiners.
Less relevant as well, because we have in the past, also encouraged drs.Gracita ARRINDELL, leader of the PPA to fight for inclusion of the rights of the native St. Martiners in the constitution, exactly what Sarah is purporting to do now.
She never did as far as we know.
Again, was this out of 'political correctness' , so that the PPA would be able to capitalize on the 'multi-cultural' votes at the expense of the native St. Martiners ?
How ironic now therefore, that it is no-one else than DP-leader Sarah who thus far is the ONLY politician, publicly standing up for the native-indigenous St. Martiners to be recognized in the constitution !!!
Therefore, what is relevant is that Sarah had the courage to utter that statement publicly.
In addition, as we have stated many times before and have also, especially advised the youngsters on both sides of the island the following.
Yes, loyalty to your party- and leader is a moral must.
However, the challenge for ALL young politicians will be to develop a loyalty of a much higher level.
That is loyalty to the all the people on the entire island of St. Martin and to the principle that the native-indigenous St. Martiners must come first and be recognized as host of this country in order to allow for all others to be grounded through our native heritage.
We have on many occasion lambasted the constitution as being a 'soulless' document, a 'clinical manual', a 'copy-and paste' and very boring document.
Reason for us feeling that way you ask ?
Simple.
It does not have a PREAMBLE reflecting EMOTIONS, PATRIOTISM, we the PEOPLE of this island, our HISTORY, our EMANCIPATION-STRUGGLES, our sacred rights to FINALIZE THEIR EMANCIPATION TOWARDS SELF-DETERMINATION, our CULTURAL-HERITAGE, etc.
In ending, allow me to sincerely commend Sarah for this bold, but very necessary statement and t express the hope that not only she means it, but that she is prepared to take it to the next level of getting it implemented within the constitution.
For the record.
We are not too big to sit down with Sarah and with all those who are interested in making use of our network, our established reputation and track-record in order to amend the constitution and to promote the St. Martin nation building process and ultimate unification, because only a strong St. Martin people and St. Martin cultural-heritage can offer others the most stable and viable foundation and 'soil' to establish their roots in as well.
Sarah, the choice is yours,
With respect,
Leopold JAMES
President SNBF & the Association L'Esprit de Concordia.
Proud native-indigenous St. Martiner without apologies.
