I am a Belizean. But I am absolutely unique. My life is unique. Out of my unique experience, there is something that has never been, and can never be, experienced by anyone else. It is my donation to mankind. It is my privilege to be here on the planet. My donation cannot be copied, replaced, repeated, nor duplicated. It is distinctively unique. It is one of a kind. So are my tasks and my opportunities to implement them. I must, therefore, treasure the things that make me uniquely different. So should you with yours.

Now, let me expound a little, ‘cause it’s getting a little deep. Out of the 6 billion+ people on this planet, there’s only one “me.”  There’s no one out there to fit my mold perfectly, to occupy my space and my time perfectly. There’s nobody out there to do the task I was destined to do, to tell a story, sing a song, or write a book. It may be quirky and different, but that makes me, me. It makes me special and unique. Whether I am a Creole, a Garinagu, an East Indian, a Hispanic, a Mestizo, a Maya, or Ketchi; flat nose, pointed nose, light skin, dark skin, straight hair, kinky or natty dread, I am the sum-total of all my ancestral traits of the people who came before me. So I ought to be damn proud of who I am. And at no time must I allow anyone who isn’t me, to define me, confine me, control me, direct me, or “…lize” me with their “isms” and “skisms.” I am who I am.

Belize is a country of diversity. It has different ethnicities, races, religions, cultures, orientations, propensities, and so forth. People were born here (like I say, “A-Baan De”). Others came here, or were brought here at different times and for different reasons. Whether we came by boat, air, sea, or land, we settled and made this place “yaad”.  It’s our home country. It’s Belize. We are Belizeans. And not one rock stone will be taken away from us.

My question now is : “Can anyone define a Belizean in a short and accurate sentence?” Such a definition may be accurate for some, but not for others. Perhaps, it is unacceptable to many. Definitions are a crude or rude way of herding people. The alarm goes off, “He/she no look like me.” Remember the Katy Sealy story about representing Belize in the Rio Olympics. Anyway, it’s the differences that make us a unique people. I have heard the saying, I’m sure you have as well, “All a-we dah one.”  Or “Todos somos unos.” Sounds wonderful. But that’s far from the truth, since it obscures the unique aspects of our consciousness, turning us into a blob for no other reason but to make us conform to a specific agenda. The Creator designs each one of us differently. We live in peace and harmony only when we respect our differences and appreciate the traditional and cultural values that we stand for.

Belize is not a layered cake. It’s not even a cake. At best, it’s a live force of energy. We may not jump at the same time, nor at the same place, but when we do jump, and jump high, pulling each other up and helping each other, we are a force to be reckoned with at any given time.

Since it’s my lunch time and mi belly is growling, I will say, in all honesty, Belize is a rich caldo or boil-up, made up of various ingredients of dumplings, mash plantains, corn, rice, beans, and with piles of tortilla and an habanero pepper on the side. This great dish of cultures makes us special. So the next time you see someone who doesn’t look like you, talk like you, or dress like you, make it a habit to express your gratitude and appreciation to him or her. Don’t try to make him you, or you strive to be him.

Years ago, it was all about originality. It was all sweat, equity or elbow grease to make something or be somebody in life. Today, there’s an awful lot of imitation going on. Imitation cheapens one’s individuality. I’ve seen a lotta copy-cats, “wanna be’s,” walking our streets today. Some are more Jamaicans than the true Jamaicans themselves, more dread than Natty himself. Somehow, some of us have lost our true Belizean identity. There is a narrowing of perspective and a retreat from engagement, whether through myopia, ignorance, shallowness, conformity, or fear.

Our destiny lies not in separating us, defining us, or describing ourselves with another’s bitter, twisted “isms” and “skisms” that revere their causes and treat mine with contempt. It lies in bringing us together and teaching us that each is uniquely special, but together we are BELIZE.

Writings from A-Baan De
Nihi-Hollywood, PG