16th September, 2008
Editor Amandala
Dear Editor,
I find it truly puzzling that the Independence Day celebrations schedule in Belize City has been reorganized so that the main celebrations will be on the 22nd of September instead of on the official Independence Day, just because of the objection of a minority in our society.
What is the basis for this rescheduling? The Tenth Day of September celebrations parade went ahead as scheduled on the streets of Belize City; the military tattoo, with all the explosions and gunfire was held on the Southside of Belize City (not to sound unfair to the people of Southside but the gun violence has predominantly occurred in this area in which I am also a resident); and the Expo Belize Trade Show 2008 was held on a Saturday and Sunday (each of which is the Sabbath or seventh day for Christians depending on which religious faith is practiced ). The latter event was held at the grounds of St. John’s College, which is one of the major religious based institutions in the country.
What is the reason for undermining the most important date in the history of our young nation? At this time, when we find ourselves under attack from the west by Xateros, in the north by hit men and here in the city by greedy corporate capitalists (ask COLA), I find it absurd that we should undercut the importance of our national day. The threat of violence should be no deterrent for celebrating this event. No country in the world takes their independence day so casually as to celebrate it on a different date.
The leaders of our secular nation must realize that tolerance in our society is what makes us strong. We respect the differences in race, color, creed, religion, politics, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, disability and age and we should have an unambiguous separation between church and state. The affairs of our country should be as respectful to all Belizeans as Belizeans are expected to be respectful of each other. We should not schedule affairs of our country based on religious beliefs. How is it okay to have the Expo on a Sunday but not the celebration of our country’s independence on a Sunday? Furthermore, we have a choice; if you believe you need to go to church, then you go to church and if you don’t want to go or you are a non-believer, or of a different religious persuasion, then you do as you will.
People setting the agenda must be smart about not trampling on our individual rights and should not overreact by criminal events or telephone calls to radio stations. The priority should be to offer justice for the majority while still being respectful of the opinion of others. I am a Catholic, but I respect people of other faiths. I genuinely believe that we have the right to practice our own faiths in our on way without judging others. Understanding and tolerance are the keys.
How can we ask our young people to respect each other, to put down the gun, to keep our country clean, to respect the National Anthem, the Belizean Flag, the National Prayer, etc., when our leaders seem to show outright contempt for the importance of our country’s independence? If we want to instill pride and value in our people, we need to give them something to value; something to be proud about and our leaders must show the way. Let’s inspire the people to believe in their country once again like they did during the Battle of St. George’s Caye and on many other occasions throughout the length and breadth of this country. Let’s put our differences behind and work hand in hand for the betterment of our great nation.
Thank you for publishing my point of view.
Respectfully,
Eric Henderson