Wednesday, October 25, 2023

In the editorial of Wednesday, October 25, 2023, the editor was talking about our losing of our free access to our beaches, which is our God-given right, in my opinion. Jamaica was referenced as an example of locals not being able to walk on their own beaches because of development, by foreigners and corporations that in most cases don’t even know a country’s history, but think they have the right to deprive us of our national heritage! For me, this is one of the most important editorials ever written in Amandala!

I was reading the Belize news a few weeks ago, and read an interview with a vendor on the beach who was being driven off by Chinese investors, who apparently don’t realize that access to our beaches in Belize is a right, not to be determined or controlled by them. One of my greatest pleasures, when I’m in San Pedro, which is where this incident is occurring, is to get up early in the morning and walk for miles on our sandy beaches, unhindered by all the condos and hotels and resorts that inhabit the coastline. On those early morning walks, you get to meet people exercising, or selling their wares, or just enjoying one of Belize’s spectacular sunrises! It’s also one of the few places poor people can go and feel and enjoy the same sensations, breathe the same air, that the rich and famous do.

I don’t know what zoning laws the Town Council has on the books, but as I understand it, free access to the beaches is one of our inalienable rights; maybe I’m wrong, but I’m speaking from experience. John McAfee had some dogs that were threatening passersby on the beach in front of his house. After complaints, they made him keep his dogs under control! This town council in particular, and the government in general, have to explain this right to anyone thinking of investing in the Jewel! The people’s right to their beaches overrides any lobbying or money or favors that might be promised to those in charge of making sure citizens are not marginalized in their own country!

I haven’t heard, or it hasn’t been reported, if the vendor’s complaint has been dealt with. We have this bad style, maybe it’s a Caribbean trait, to let things go until the pressure forces us to take care of it, or we give in to the money and power. I hope that Jamaica doesn’t happen in Belize! I hope that our government will make sure that the rights of its citizens are protected! Yes, we should welcome these investments, but not at any cost. According to the editorial, less than 1% of the coastline is available to locals in Jamaica; I can’t imagine that happening in the Jewel, although I know it could!

I’m so grateful for that editorial in Amandala. It’s a reminder of the fragility of our citizens, of the poor, of our right to wander our beaches, unimpeded by those trying to impose their sovereignty on property that doesn’t belong to them. Doesn’t mean that they can’t have private properties, just not of our beaches. Reminds me of Guatemala and its illegal claim!

“We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!” — Wordsworth

Glen