This is why, like a Maya, I cannot say Happy Pan American Day. Mr. Clinton Luna has stated openly that he is not a son of the Baymen?s clan; neither am I. He is also correct in saying that the National Anthem should be amended to, ?Arise, Ye Sons of the Belizean Soil?. I support him 100%. The National Anthem must be an anthem of ?inclusion?, not exclusion.

In fact, Dr. Cardo Martinez, President of the Belize Business Bureau, had asked a group of us Maya from Corozal to translate the National Anthem into Maya, and then sing it at some special event. To be truthful and honest, we couldn?t translate, much less sing the National Anthem in Maya, because there are words, phrases and meanings alien to the Maya. It is therefore a matter of urgency that all ethnic groups in Belize be included and be able to identify with our National Anthem. This should then foster patriotism in all Belizeans, patriotism that is lacking at this point.

Our National Anthem and our Belizean flag must always be respected. Why or when was the color yellow added to our flag? I was recently shown a Belizean flag that has the color yellow on the emblem. This is wrong and confusing and lack of respect for our flag. I have never seen a Mexican flag with the colour blue on it. It always remains tri-color ? red, white and green. The Belizean Government should ensure that our national identity, heritage and symbols are not tampered with. Our national flag must always be red, white and blue.

Getting back to Mr. Clinton Luna, in one of his articles to the press he stated that the Maya is the only ethnic group that does not have a day (meaning a holiday?) to remember their disgrace and misery. Well, I don?t know about disgrace and misery. What I know is that the Maya civilization was a great and glorious civilization that prospered from Chichen Itza in Northern Yucatan to Copan in Northern Honduras, and all the Maya of Belize should be proud to be descendants of such a noble civilization. There is no special day for the Maya. All the days are sacred to the Maya.

I am proud to be a Maya and I am also proud to be a Belizean. We live in a rainbow country. We are all brothers and sisters. We should always speak with one voice. We should always move forward with one strength. We should always be one people, united and resolved. Arise, ye sons of the Belizean soil. Have a cautious Pan American Day.

Respectfully,

Mr. Vicente Canul

F. St. South End

Corozal Town