Floats in a parade in downtown Belize City celebrating the Battle of St. George's Caye Day, long ago
Happy 10th of September Belize! Today marks 222 years since we won the grand battle against the Spaniards in 1798! On this day, a battle between the Spaniards and the Baymen was fought at St. George's Caye. It was part of an outbreak of war between Spain and Britain. Against unfavorable odds, the Baymen defeated the Spanish and they never tried gaining control over Belize again.
Let us remember why we celebrate this momentous occasion and honor those who fought for us and our independence!
Powerful quotes on the Battle of St. George's Caye by Evan Hyde and Assad Shoman:
Evan X Hyde, founder of Amandala and UBAD, took on squarely the myth of September Tenth in 1969. Powerful words:
“No one can deny that the most effective historical source of division between the tribes in our society has been the so-called Battle of St. George‘s Caye. Utilizing brilliant historical propaganda, the English over a period of time passed the credit for the “defeat” of the Spanish from the white “Baymen” to the Negro slaves. . . The myth was created that white master and black slave fought hand in hand against a dastardly aggressive tyrant — the Spaniard . . .
For the black masses, the 10th is another excuse to get high. For the sycophantic Creole bourgeoisie class, the 10th represented a legitimization of their supremacy in the civil service administrative circles of government . . . For the English, the 10th has been an opportunity to divide the native society… ” –Evan X Hyde, 1969
Assad Shoman had this to say in closing his chapter on this subject:
“The origin myth remains a strong contender for defining the identity of the independent nation-state of Belize, a paradox that remains for future generations to resolve. It is perhaps one of the most damaging and enduring remnants of the cultural logic of imperialism.” – Assad Shoman, 2011
QUOTE: Evan Hyde. 1969. Quoted in X communication. (1995). Belize: Angelus Press Ltd
QUOTE: Assad Shoman. (2011). Thirteen chapters of a history of Belize. Belize: Angelus Press.
MORE INFO: Assad Shoman (2010) “Reflections on Ethnicity” http://www.mexique.ird.fr/content/download/77727/590591/version/1/file/Afrodesc_Cuaderno+9.pdf
Photograph courtesy Belize History Association
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