35 years of Independence
If one were to ask most Belizeans who are 45 years or older where they were at about 11:59 pm on Sunday, 20th September 1981, they would perhaps say they were at a Flag Raising Ceremony in their town or city or listings to it on radio, awaiting the stroke of midnight when the sirens would roar, fireworks would light up the sky, cannons would sound off , as the Union Jack would be lowered for the last time. In it's place a brand new Belizean flag would be hoisted for the very first time. The new nation of Belize would be born. Although it all happened 35 years ago on that rainy September night, it is fresh in most of our minds as if though it happened a day or two ago.
What followed on the 21st day was the actual reading of the proclamation and the delivery of the instrument that granted us our Independence from the United Kingdom .We unlike many of our Central American brothers and sisters did not have to go to war for our independence . For us it was gained without bloodshed.
That day was also filled with merrymaking and joy , as Belizeans from all walks of life partied together as one people. We had many World Leaders including those from most of the Caribbean and Central America. Some countries were not represented by their Leaders but were represented by some other highly placed individuals. Belizeans were gracious hosts, the place was clean and well decked out for the arrival of this brand new baby called Independence.
Belize has come a long way since Independence. A lot has been accomplished in the thirty five years since independence and we have much further to go. Some people appear to be still at one of those 1981 parties. There have been EIGHT General Elections since our independence and there has been a change of government in FIVE of those General Elections. Each of those elections including those where there has been a change of government has been peaceful. In this country we have a proud history and tradition of respecting the decision of the people. It has not however been only positives that we have seen. Sad to say, we've had our share of the negatives. We could say that that is a natural part of life. There have been people, who perhaps for greed and their own selfishness have slowed down the growth of this country. Those people still continue to do so up to this day. In the spirit of Independence we won't call names or give instances of those occurrences at this time. You the readers know exactly who those persons are and what they have done.
Then there is perhaps the greatest and most recent occurrence that has negatively affected us , the violence and bad blood amongst mostly our urban youth population. We don't speak of it so often, either out of fear of reprisals or we just don't care enough to do anything to try and slow down or stop the situation. Even families it seems are afraid to do anything about youths in those families who are involved in the thuggish behavior. Those families prefer to suffer in silence. Then there are some people who prefer to live in burglar barred houses with our alarms, cameras, security guards and guard dogs. All the while pretending, that it does not concern us or will not happen to us, until one day when the situation is visited upon us by way of a home invasion by a stranger or that family member they chose to have kept silent about.
Even with all the negatives that have taken place, there are a lot of good things that have happened in this country. Just over the last year alone we can report on many of the things that have gone right for us. Take for example, the improvement to our sporting facilities and our highways. Tourism has also been doing good. Agriculture is doing good despite climate change. Our trade in marine products have been doing good. Aquaculture it seems is about to make a comeback after that sector was almost wiped out by diseases. Never before have we seen more Belizeans being educated at the highest level. Just look at how many Belizeans have returned home from their studies abroad and are now doing their part to build this nation. All these things put Belizeans to work, so that they are able to sustain themselves and educate themselves.
Then there is the safety net that government provides for the less fortunate Belizeans, through it's various social programs with the intent of giving people a hands up rather than a hands out. Our people now, unlike before Independence, enjoy freedom of speech .That freedom of speech is sometimes used in a negative way, but that is a risk we will take anytime over censorship. Belizeans are now using our courts to ensure that their rights are not violated. We are now set to shape the type of Belize we want to be. Here at this newspaper we take this opportunity to implore Belizeans to play their part in developing this country. Belize can only develop if we all do our part as Belizeans, as shareholders. Please join us in saying HAPPY 35th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY BELIZE. LONG LIVE BELIZE!
J'ouvert stirs up the September spirit
This September has not had the usual energy that is normally associated with the month of celebrations. Significant events like Belikin Fest and Expo just seem to have snuck up and passed by. Some believe the lack of enthusiasm is due to post tramautic effects of Hurricane Earl. Others believe that it is based on the cumulative effect of hours and hours of negative news coverage. Whatever the cause, morale has been extremely low this September. Fortunately, Saturday, September 17, was J'ouvert morning, and along with treated mud, chocolate, powder and water, "jouvay" also brought a ton of much needed excitement.
J'ouvert or Jouvay originated around the time of emancipation in Trinidad when, finally as free men, the people were able to participate in masquerade festivals. The former slaves embraced the carnival festival as a celebration of freedom. There are conflicting theories on the story behind painting the body. One theory is that the body was pasted with mud, paint and covered with powder for the slaves/former slaves to imitate the behaviour of the landowners at their masquerade festivals. One theory is the tradition is carried forward in remembrance of civil disobedience in Trinidad when the people pasted themselves with paint and oil to avoid being recognized. Most of us in Belize don't know the reasons behind smearing ourselves but we surely have embraced Jouvay as a celebration of freedom and free spirit.
J'ouvert is now the most anticipated event of September celebrations, primarily because it is a participatory event by nature. There were two highly promoted events to lead fetists up to J'ouvert hour this year. One was the Soca or Surrender (S.O.S.) concert at the Marion Jones Stadium and the other was Wete Fete at the ITVET grounds. From all accounts, S.O.S. had a much larger crowd Wete Fete attendants boast having the most fun. S.O.S. had numerous Belizean and international artists and was headlined by Olatunji. Wete Fete offered the "most water ever" and free wifi. It was headlined by young soca sensation Aaron Duncan. No incidence of violence was reported at any of the events and the vast majority of attendants made their way straight to the Belcan Bridge to participate in J'ouvert 2016. J'ouvert was scheduled to leave at 4 a.m. but a verbal agreement was allegedly struck with organizers of S.O.S. that the procession would not take off until a while after in order to give their patrons time to join. Either this agreement was not honoured or the interpretation of "a while after" differs greatly between the parties because most S.O.S. patrons had to catch up with jouvay far into the route.
Particpants came out with whistles, horns and water bottles. Different promoters brought their "sections". There was the traditional mud section which leads the jouvay, then there was the chocolate section, water section and paint and powder section. Hundreds of people gathered and started making noise and partying in front of San Cas parking lot. That number doubled in minutes and over a thousand people were present when the trucks started to move off shortly after 4 a.m. The J'ouvert passed Central American Boulevard and more people started to enter. By the time the turn at Cemetery Road was made, the crowd had swolen to the point that friends had difficulty keeping contact with each other. People continued to join as the celebration continued unto West Canal, across the Vernon Street Bridge and right into Youth for the Future Drive. The different opened sections continued to attract spectators as the street fete made its way unto the long narrow stretch that is North Front Street. There it becomes difficult to hear the music since the crowd is stretched a great distance. Veteran J'ouvert participants position themselves into the turn in order to stay close to the trucks for this stretch. From North Front Street the trucks turn into Queen Street and the design of structures on that stretch causes the music to vibrate loudly. It is a favourite stretch of road for particpants. From Queen Street it is unto Daily Street, right into Craig Street and left unto Marine Parade. The top songs this year were Kes the Band's "People", Machel Montano's "Need It", Patrice Robert's "Old and Grey" and Savage's "Culu Culu". From Marine Parade the J'ouvert winded down as it approached its end point at the MCC stadium.
The Guardian
AmbergrisCaye.com 
