Mr. W.C. Ramos,

I read with great interest your article, “The British and Belize governments continue to violate the Garifuna peoples’ human/land rights in Belize.”

I wish to commend you on a well-written article, but I, as a Belizean Creole, took offence on the point where you say, “The British at the time had some people from the continent of Africa as slaves known today as Creoles.” Sir, I take serious offence at how casually you include and dismiss our Creole people. I have noticed that some, not all, but some Garifuna see us Creoles as foreigners in our own country. Please bear in mind that it was our sweat, blood and lives that created this beautiful country of Belize. It was the faces of my ancestors that your ancestors looked upon as they came to shore. When you claim indigenous rights, please don’t forget that most likely it was in my people’s homes that your people stayed as brothers as they began to rebuild their lives.

The evil colonial masters kept us apart for a reason. Unity brings strength, which is dangerous to those who enslaved us. I hope your future letters can reflect unity between our people instead of dividing us.

Sincerely,
Andy Jones
Punta Gorda