PHILIPSBURG:--- Sint Maarten Institute for Public Policy Studies (SIPP), where ‘Knowledge is Power’, announces another education development program/ project. Cultivating a more informed population culture or society across Sint Maarten. Through public dialogue, the project aims to increase public knowledge and awareness of Sint Maarten's colonial slavery past. Sponsored by the Slavery Memorial Committee.
To achieve this aim, on Saturday, March 28th, we took a group of secondary school students on an exploration field trip to various historical sites of enslavement. I. e., Diamond Run/ Estate, Mary Fancy Estate, Ebernezer Plantation, Golden Rock Plantation, Industry Plantation, Cul-de-Sac Cemetery, Forth Amsterdam, Salt Warehouse, Salt Factory, Bishop Hill, Belvedere Plantation, Union Farm Plantation, Madam Estate/ Plantation, guided by historical/ cultural heritage orator Jean-Marc, Augusty. Students were enlightened about these sites of enslavement, their timelines, and their significance.
The participating secondary schools were Milton Peter’s College-HAVO/VWO, MAC Comprehensive Secondary Education, The St. Maarten Academy (VSBO), Learning Unlimited Preparatory School, and Sint Maarten Youth Council Association.
In addition, the participating students were asked and encouraged to write and submit an essay on how the field trip experience shaped their understanding and sentiment of this enslavement, as well as noting their perspective on the “spoke” about or offered atonement by the Dutch (in righting the ‘crime against humanity’ wrong). The essays will be reviewed and evaluated by a panel. The 3 top essays will receive a prize and special recognition.
The Project will culminate with a public dialogue on Sint Maarten’s Dutch-colonial slavery past, focusing on its Effect, Legacy, and continuing Impact on the present; addressing atonement proposals aimed at righting the ‘crime against humanity’ wrong and plotting a sustainable way for a more equitable future, or overcoming the historical foundations of systemic inequalities rooted in slavery past and persisting today.
