I listen to all the different radio talk shows in Belize; and there is one thing that tends to annoy me, but I have come to expect it. Party political media have a tendency to see everything, and everyone through color tints. They seem to think that everyone is either dyed in the wool “blue” or dyed in the wool “red”. They seem to not be able to come to terms with the reality that the game they are in, party politics, is a game of shifting alliances; and none of them are saints, neither the blue nor the red, or any other, once they get into the game; or at least if they do what they need to do to be “successful”. The fact that both the blue and the red have been successful at different times, means that they both have played this game, with different degrees of dexterity and honesty. Without a doubt, in terms of trust with the public purse, no sane Belizean, in my opinion, of course, can put previous Prime Ministers Esquivel and Musa on the same level.
Joe and Juliet cannot convince me that either they, or all their party representatives, are saints. But the nature and the instinct of political parties being what it is, they feel duty bound to try and tear down any individual, group or organization that they perceive might pose some sort of threat to their political party. They seem to can’t appreciate that a group of people would see the need to fight for the rights of all Belizeans, without aspiring for political office. They see a threat to their power everywhere. And all it reveals is the nature of what they are – a political party, functioning and reacting to the nuances of the game, “dis dyam politics.” I saw Joe at the COLA demonstration in Central Park, but the way he and his co-host on their morning talk show continue tearing into the two South Side blue area reps, who were also in the COLA walk, it makes me wonder.
Our national hero, Hon. Philip Goldson, was always a Belizean first, and a politician second. He never put his party above his country. And thus, the people never put any party above him. Why don’t our politicians or their agents take note?
The PUP party political radio program is apparently off the air, so for the time being we are spared their one-sided rhetoric. The UDP are in government, and their party political radio continues to promote and extol the virtues of their party. That is natural. But what they have to keep in mind is that, they are now the government. And what the government does, affects all Belizeans. Their job is a little different now, than when they were campaigning to win an election. It is no longer, or it shouldn’t be, the us against them mentality. And rather than looking for reasons to attack COLA members, even if they don’t want to join the organization now, they should be looking and listening to see how the government can benefit from the energy in this citizens’ grouping to more easily break down the barriers in the way of achieving the many goals their party has set for the Belizean people. That is, if their goals are still the goals of the Belizean people, and not just now the singular goals of the political party – remaining in power, and taking care of their friends.
In his citizens’ cry for help in song, the Mighty Sparrow sang in different verses, “Somebody is betraying we; somebody we trust completely;” then, “Somebody should champion our cause; somebody should check out the laws;” and then, “Somebody should show us the way; somebody go’n help us someday.” But it has often been said that, Allah/God helps those who help themselves. COLA is a simple people’s organization, and the make-up of its executive should allay any fears of the UDP mouthpieces, that it is a party political “wolf in sheep’s clothing”.
In reality, everything involving people is political. But “divide and conquer” has been the tool of the colonizers and the modern enslavers. And the political party system, while it serves a useful purpose in providing alternatives at elections, has effectively kept our people from uniting on important national issues. Any group that enhances the unity of our people above party political lines is good for Belize’s struggle for true independence. And any political party that feels the need to work against the people coming together, needs to do some serious soul searching. Are you with your people, or are you against your people?
I was born a British Honduran. Since 1969, I have been a UBADer. And since Independence, I have been a Belizean. I have voted in every general election since Independence, for different parties/candidates, and with a winning record. I still have the sticker for the stillborn Belize Covenant Movement on my vehicle. And I am a member of COLA. If Joe and Juliet want to try and turn me against the UDP in the next general election, they can continue trying. Perhaps they may succeed, but there are no guarantees. Such is politics. But, regardless of where I vote, I will still be a Belizean, a UBADer and a member of COLA; and if you feel strongly about any national issue that is being addressed, you are welcome to join. Unity is strength.