The time has come for another Belize Black Summit. Kremandala would, of course, give what support we can, but the project should be coordinated by the University of Belize, the University of the West Indies (School of Continuing Studies), an ad hoc group, or a combination of all three.
There are apologists for white supremacy who will jump immediately, and ask what for. They will point out that the Mayans of Toledo are more destitute than Southside blacks. The Mayans of Toledo, however, are not murdering each other every day the way Southside black youth are doing. Plus, the Mayans of Toledo are more organized than Southside youth, who have been mobilized and armed to fight each other by drug dealers and gang concepts imported from the United States. Toledo is a problem. Southside is an emergency.
The first (and only) Belize Black Summit was organized by the UBAD Educational Foundation (UEF) and the World Garifuna Organization (WGO). It was held in September of 2003 in Belize City.
Kremandala had first conceived of a black summit in connection with the 25th anniversary of UBAD, which was founded on February 9, 1969. This was 1994, and the United Democratic Party were in power. At that time, the UDP were opposed to the black summit concept, primarily because of the potential for embarrassment to the UDP administration.
The first black summit was held during a PUP administration. Kremandala was in alliance with the PUP at the time, and the PUP leadership did not feel threatened by the concept. UDP leaders like Hon. Dean Barrow and Wilfred “Sedi” Elrington supported the black summit concept in 2003.
We do not believe that the UDP will feel threatened by a black summit in 2008. There is really no need for them to be. If they are, then it will be difficult to organize such a gathering. If the present UDP administration gives its approval for a black summit, there are benefits the ruling politicians can gain from open discussion. The key is in how the process is organized. If the individuals who are really on the ground are given a chance to present their ideas, then the relevant politicians and bureaucrats can be enlightened to some degree.
There are citizens, and all of us have a good idea who they are, who become overly excited by open microphones in front of attentive crowds. Such citizens have to be restrained, or they will hog up the summit’s time blowing their own horns.
In any case, the board members of the UEF and the WGO spent five months planning the original effort. Their experiences can help a second effort to avoid repeating any mistakes, and thus speed up the planning process.
A second Belize Black Summit. It’s just a thought.