I have not been writing for some weeks now as I buried myself in my corner and tried to mentally come to terms with the violent turmoil in our country. I have had to withdraw from social media and purge myself of all the negativity and the daily avalanche of a double murder, an execution style-shooting, a fatal traffic accident claiming multiple lives, drug planes landing and many cases of sexual and domestic abuse, which has bombarded me even when I don’t want to hear about it, as they are the topics of daily talk almost everywhere you go.
The shock effect is gone, and we are living in days where our politicians raise fuel prices on us, create monopolies when it suits their financial and political interest, sign bloated contracts one after the other to siphon off money for the upcoming election, and we seem to have no power as a people to hold them accountable. Amidst all the turmoil I see that the so-called greatest democracy, the United States of Americas, is in shambles. Who would have ever thought that in this so-called civil and modern era we would see the ego of one man dismantle the pillars of centuries of democracy while his fellow Republicans lack the testicular fortitude to stand against him on principle?
Sadly, for the first time in my half-century lifetime, I am seeing such a rogue US president, because at least Nixon had the decency to resign and not tarnish one of the most powerful and respected offices in this global arena. But President Trump as a leader is what we see daily here in Belize and the region from our leaders. We do not have the checks and balances the USA has, but even with those checks and balances one man can abuse his power and refuse Congress’s request that he ensures that the processes operate as the law mandates and has refused to allow witnesses to testify and refused to hand over state documents. Here in Belize, our leaders change the law just to legalize what is wrong. Trump would have loved our so-called democracy.
One of the most blatant examples of abuse of power and the function of the Executive and Legislature in this country can be seen by the amendment of the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, which was the bible of the now disgraced Godwin Hulse, when he was out of office. I remember Godwin on TV shows saying over and over again on his TV show that The Finance and Audit (Reform) Act was one of the most important laws and how it must be improved. However, when Dean Barrow violated that Act, and that was a criminal act, Godwin remained silent.
Then when Dean Barrow passed the PetroCaribe Loan Act to legalise his violation under the Finance and Audit (Reform) Act, and made this new Act retroactive so that his illegal borrowing of over $10 million without going to the National Assembly for approval, could now be legalized, Godwin was absolutely silent. This was a blatant abuse of power, especially knowing that making such law went against all principles Godwin once propounded when he was not in government.
Why stay silent
I have kept silent on so many issues of recent because I wanted to see if we have sufficient Belizeans who truly care about all the evil and corruption and wickedness and cruelty and abuse going on in our country. So much evil in our people’s hearts can be seen, and it’s reflective in their outward acts and public display and the leaders they gravitate to and vote into power!
I try to see hope in our people uniting in principle and beyond party lines and standing up against the blatant corruption of morals, social norms, and political processes. Imagine, now in Belize, you CANNOT get land if a minister doesn’t give you a recommendation; you CANNOT join the BDF if a minister doesn’t give you a recommendation; you CANNOT join the Coast Guard if a minister doesn’t give you a recommendation; you CANNOT join the police if a minister doesn’t give you a recommendation; you CANNOT join the Customs Department if a minister doesn’t give you a recommendation… and the list goes on of all the abuses of power by the ministers, yet our people stretch out their hands for the recommendation instead of earning these things by merit! It’s the same for grants, scholarships, pantry access, passports, and many of the everyday matters that should have no political connection or say. But we the people ask for it and accept it and condone it and more and more find it easier to sell our souls and join the corruption, instead of smashing it out.
Then I look at the US news and see the educated, God-fearing Republicans in America yielding to the vices and corruption of a president and I realise, they are a reflection of the white, privileged and supremacist mentality of their nation, as our leaders are a reflection of us, also, a corrupt society.
I have had time to reflect so that I could come to terms with the turmoil in my own society. Yes, I have to accept that we have leaders who reflect what our values in this society are. When a mature female got raped by two adolescents, so many were quick to attack her. They blamed her and said some of the nastiest words, and defiled her further, not stopping to think that the age of the boys does not make them less of a sex predator.
When several incidents of female minors going off with their adult “boyfriends” made news, society again criticized those powerless, abused girls, forgetting that a child CANNOT consent to sex, even if she runs away from home. Many do not want to stop and understand the level of abuse in our society and instead of condemning the perpetrators they vilify and low-rate and pull the females into the gutter to the point that these females often want to just die rather than live in this society.
To me, social media has shown me who people really are; from the fake ones pretending they have the perfect life, to the females claiming they support other females but at first opportunity re-posting the most despicable of texts, photos or posts bringing down other women while pretending they are concerned. The rate of crimes and our response to it reminds me that our society is as bad as the leaders we elect, and those leaders are just a microscopic reflection of us, … we the people! Imagine so many young men shot execution-style, with so many of these incidents being caught on video and showing how cold-hearted we are as a society and so many salivating to see these images over and over and sharing with all.
Never forget the reports suggesting that the head of Pastor Lucas was being delivered to a Minister! Some ministers of God and government do whatever it takes to secure their position and feed their greed! But then they too are a reflection of this society! Let us not forget that the Senate seat held by the churches is a seat obtained by some religious leaders, excluding other religious leaders from a vote, yet we are here expecting a better society, when even the “men of God” are prepared to secure political power although they preach the attainment of the kingdom of God! They are just men, vile, greedy, dishonest, corrupt, but with influence and power over others!
The murder rate is ever increasing, and the nature of the crimes is most horrendous. Too many missing persons found dead and some never found, and most seem to have one common factor – they were last seen with their so-called friends! This too is a reflection of our politics, as our so-called leaders figuratively stab us in our backs when they keep us poor and dependent, while they enrich themselves off the resources of the people because they know the power of the state!
I kept silent, but the masses continue in their silence too, as they cannot collectively condemn the wrongs of this society and leaders, which they are a part of! No one, no group, no entity is rising against the ills in our society, but now I know why! It is because at heart those evils and corrupt leaders are a reflection of the collective psyche of our masses. The few who dare stand will be lynched by the mob. Our people have become comfortable in their misery! They talk but will not act because to do so is to act against their very nature. I am coming to terms with the reality… I am learning to accept there will be no uprising… the cancer of corruption has taken the majority over and the minority cannot expel it!
Abuse not only via domestic violence is rampant. Abuse of power is unbridled; abuse of women and children is the norm; and abuse of each other is acceptable. Calling people degrading names in public, on social media and at home is no longer a basis to send anyone to wash their mouth with soap!
Break the silence!
If I had any doubt about how abusive we are as a people from top to bottom, the recent interview Godwin Hulse gave in defence of his son who is charged for an act of domestic violence against his baby’s mama, only cemented my analysis. Whether he is found guilty or not, it is an undisputed fact that the child was in the vehicle at the time of the incident… that is her first source of learning! The child may not be able to talk, but she experienced trauma, and her memory will likely keep the score. Like most parents in Belize, Godwin publicly defended his son, just as many women go on TV in defence of their sons and the violence displayed by them. You see all that gun violence captured on those videos circulating, that propensity to be so violent to another was encoded in those boys from they were growing up; it did not happen when they first pulled the trigger.
Just listen to how a father, a man, a son, a politician, Godwin spoke of his grandchild and the child’s mother and seemingly sought to justify the alleged attack by his son! This, my people, is just a reflection of what is happening to our society! Hulse says his son was slapped…. But that does not mean it entitled him to do what it is being alleged he did — in the presence of a child. In essence, what is being suggested is that his son was justified in using force. Even if the force was excessive! And Godwin is wrong to say only those two were in the vehicle and know what happened, as if the child, his grandchild, is not a person who can be damaged by being in such a violent situation.
The mother broke her silence and, fearing for her life, visited the police station and told her story, yet the police only charged Kenzel Hulse with harm. Godwin forgets he is a man who, once upon a time, many looked up to, and when it suits him, he wants public attention, but he is upset over the public attention this matter gets. He seems to forget that whether it’s a “no-name” or “brand-name,” the public has ALWAYS had an outcry against domestic violence. We have witnessed an unprecedented number of women killed by their partner or ex-partner, to date one man still on the run. We have seen children raped and one cruelly killed and the public was relentless.
He and his boy are not special: it’s the nature of the crime that is the issue here, and the fact that the police’s response has been mediocre, which is not expected at a time when we supposedly have a “no-nonsense” ComPol, who always very publicly responds to public pressure.
The young lady did the right thing to break her silence and make the relevant report. It has served several purposes, and has surely given us some insights into the mentality of one of our leaders towards women and children. The Special Envoy issued a statement condemning domestic abuse, and called her name, but did not call Kenzel Hulse’s name, which is just a subtle way society shields the perpetrator but exposes the name of the victim!
“It is not what you do for your children, but what you have taught them to do for themselves that will make them successful human beings.” Ann Landers