A fund to help innovative minds strive by Ten Habitat
We Believe in 10K Strong!
The 10,000 Strong Campaign is an initiative led by TEN Habitat to mobilise ten thousand persons to donate $100 to raise 1 million dollars to empower the next generation. It’s a true definition of the Belize creole adage of “one-one coco full baskit.” The initiative pivots on giving youth access to technological skills like coding to improve confidence in pursuing their BIG dreams. I must congratulate the team at the Caribbean Regional Youth Council for partnering and supporting this great initiative with Ten Habitat.
A look into the militarization of police in Belize.
The world was recently shaken by the live and online murder of George Floyd by a white man, a police officer with the Minneapolis Police Department. It was yet another piece upon the mounting evidence of the extraction of Black bodies by systematic killing. I still haven’t watched the video, I can’t. The photo still of that 8 minutes 46 seconds was enough for me.
I always remind myself to stay grounded even with my historical knowledge of what white supremacy and colonialism has done to us in this region and country and so I asked myself, as you should, what Mr. Floyd’s killing and all African-American police killings mean to us here in Belize?
Let’s explore the militarization and or Americanization of the Belize Police Department to start to answer that question.
We first do that by going back a decade or so to documentation from the US State Department:
“During the year the Belize Police Department’s (BPD) Professional Standards Branch received 238 formal complaints of alleged police misconduct. During the same period, the BPD held 14 officers on interdiction (suspension with half salary) and one suspension (with salary.) The 14 officers on interdiction were alleged to have committed a combination of criminal and disciplinary charges. The ombudsman reported receiving 99 complaints against the police department and its personnel, of which 39 percent were characterized as complaints of brutality, 18 percent of complaints of harassment and 17 percent as complaints of abuse of power.”(US Deparment of State, 2011)
This was reported some 9 years ago, fast forward to 2019.
“In 2018, 43 percent of the complaints received by the PSB were for police brutality. The human rights ombudsman also received complaints against the Belize Central Prison for allegations of inhuman treatment of inmates.” (US Department of State, 2019)
These two reports are different in terms of how they are reported on empirically but you can see here that the number of police brutality are pretty high. They help us understand the systematic and cultural nature of violence in the security forces. I encourage everyone to look into these reports for your own information. We can, of course, cite the more relatable stories ranging from any of the state of emergencies placed on Belize City or a regular day of profiling stop and search methods. We can also cite the more gruesome stories of the killings of Fareed Ahmad and Alyson Major both cases that are still being investigated, we are told. We can also look at the online mockery of Ulysease Roca while in police custody, a young black man later found dead at his residence a little after that detention. My point here is that we can all cite an instance of police brutality whether direct or indirect.
Now we look at the training of our officers. Last year, around this time a group of creatives hosted a protest in front of the Police Training Academy in Belmopan. It was against a security force training being offered by the Israeli government. A government that has been vile and aggressive against the self-determination of Palestinian people, a government that has stood on the side of Guatemala in refusing to acknowledge Belize’s sovereignty, a government that has historically trained police officers of the Amerikkka. Outside of that, the US government has consistently funded our security response in this country one of the largest being through its Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) which just last year disburse $750,000USD to social programs in Belize. (Breaking Belize News, 2019)The US Department of Justice has also trained 29 members of our Criminal Investigative Branch through its International Criminal and Investigative Criminal Assistance Program done in coordination with the State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). (US Department of Justice, 2020) Twenty officers of the Belize Police Department was also trained at the request of GOB in 2010 by the Naval Criminal Investigative Criminal Service in the Tradewinds Program. (U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South, 2010) This and other US government interventions corroborated by Chief Executive Officer George Lovell in a 2019 interview that he covered the ‘Reorganization of the Belize Police Department’ (Ministry of National Security, 2019) While I am not against good old diplomacy, I do understand that the US foreign policy is not one that has historically had the best human rights records and moral leadership. These are all pieces of evidence that prove that the face of our police department operations is being fashioned Uncle Sam style.
Photo source : Ignite Ltd.
Finally, we look at some colonial remnants being perpetuated through our present system of neo-colonialization. A piece of legislation that Ms. Coye, one of our most prolific and intellectual callers on WUB coins as legalizing a “conditional right to life.”
Chapter 4 section Part 2 article 4(2) states:
A person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section if he dies as the result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably justifiable-
for the defence of any person from violence or for the defence of property;
in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained;
for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny; or
in order to prevent the commission by that person of a criminal offence,
or if he dies as the result of a lawful act of war.
A justified death penalty if I ever saw one and done at the discretion of a police officer that has at some point in his career come in contact with the Great American way of policing. My first lesson on interacting with police from mommy has been, “nevah mek police man run”, and well you don’t need to do much to have them run to you. Simply make a Facebook post erring on the side of dissent and watch police officers in combat camouflage show up to you house with weapons arsenal fit to fight a border conflict. An uneven war of words if you ever asked me. I’ll let you decide on whether or not Americanization and Militarization of Police are synonyms.
“…sweet and docile, meek, humble, and kind: Beware the day they change their mind.-Warning by Langston Hughes
Stay Curious.
First published in the June 30th 2020, Tuesday edition of the Amandala Newspaper, Issue No.3379 pg 6.
On June 26th 2020, Buju Banton released his first album in a decade since his 2018 release from prison. “Upside Down” is indeed a conquering unveiling of 20 tracks for this artist who has never really left our consciousness. It features guest from across genres including Stefflon Don, John Legend, Pharrell and Stephen Marley. In true Gargamel style, he reminds us of the important values of life in tracks like ‘Helping Hand’. It gives us the inspiration we need in times of increasing divisions between peoples on the basis of askew political ideologies in tracks like ‘Blessed’, ‘Rising Up’, ‘The World is Changing’, ‘400 Years’ and ‘Unity.’ The latter of which gives us pure Fela Kuti spirit! He gives us a look at his views on the beauty of women, romance and understanding partnership in the pursuit of love in ‘Appreciated’, ‘Call Me’, ‘Moonlight Love’, ‘Lovely State of Mind’ and ‘Cherry Pie’. A sexual divinity and sensual energy oozing from the Stefflon Don collaboration on ‘Call Me.’
Image source:dancehallmag.com
We even see him sharing with us some vulnerability of love lost in ‘Memories’ which features John Legend, ‘Cheated’ and in the groove of ‘Good Time Girl’ reminiscent of his 2009 release, Sleepless Night. Tracks like Trust, Steppa, and Beat them Bad give us that edgy, growling strength that only Buju Banton can deliver on, telling us the stories of tribulation in our most underserved communities and how we always survive by any means necessary. Trust may be giving us a peek into what led to his incarceration, a warning on the dangers of an over-reliance and intrusion of technology in our lives and of the people who weaponized it against us. He also shared with us his prayer of thanksgiving for how far he has come on his odyssey of life through songs, ‘Yes Mi Friend’, ‘Buried Alive’ and ‘Lamb of God.’
Upside Down calls us to look at life with a clear vision in a time when the life we know has indeed been turned upside down. It’s a complete buffet of creative musical artistry from production to its literature. A connoisseur of rumbling spiritual upliftment and inspired accountability to self through his lyrics, voice and humanity, Buju Banton gifted us with an album of cross-pollinated genres from Jazz to Pop while still not divorcing from his dancehall and reggae roots. He has not missed a beat! The legacy lives on! The Champion Black man is continuing to fulfil his destiny.
The Belize Defence Force is the military of Belize and it’s purpose is to protect the sovereignty of Belize. They are here to serve and protect, however who protects those within the force when they are sexually assaulted and raped? It is no secret that time after time rape allegations, and sexual misconduct cases are often swept under the rug. We hear about it in the news, there is an interview or press conference and a few questions are answered and they say they are “investigating” and then there is silence. This week another allegation of rape was made by a female soldier. The accused, Margarito Pop has since been charged.These allegations come on the heels of the recently concluded sexual misconduct investigation done within the organization.
We don’t believe that the BDF has been forthcoming with enough information in this case or any others. We are demanding transparency with these investigations, and that perpetrators of rape and sexual assault are dismissed from the force. We would also like for a plan of action to be devised for the safety of all soldiers on the force. Sexual harassment and abuse should not be taboo for any of us to address, and we would like a change in policy and enforcement.
Below is one instance of the cover up rape culture which is a terrible reflection of the BDF and by extension our Belizean society and even in the broader scope of things, the worldwide acceptance of rape and sexual assault.
According to the Constitution of Belize, Section 4(2) it is legal for police to shoot unarmed people to protect property and prevent a non-violent crime. This could include, perhaps, your teenage son or daughter trying to escape arrest who has not otherwise broken any other law.
The Constitution of Belize States: “A person shall not be regarded as having been deprived of his life in contravention of this section if he dies as the result of the use, to such extent and in such circumstances as are permitted by law, of such force as is reasonably justifiable: (a) for the defence of any person from violence or for the defence of property; (b) in order to effect a lawful arrest or to prevent the escape of a person lawfully detained; (c) for the purpose of suppressing a riot, insurrection or mutiny; or (d) in order to prevent the commission by that person of a criminal offence, or if he dies as the result of a lawful act of war.”
While the use of lethal force may be justified in protecting others from physical harm, protecting property and preventing non-violent crime should never justify anybody’s death. This section of the Constitution of Belize neither complies with international law nor reflects a valuing of human life. It violates our human rights.
Importantly, because of institutionalised racism, lethal force and other police violence is also more likely to be used against black people and indigenous people in our communities. This has been demonstrated time and time again through countless stories both in Belize and internationally. George Floyd was just one person that this happened to, and as a society, we can do better.
We demand that the National Assembly amend the Constitution of Belize to comply with the 1990 United Nations’ Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials, and that Belize become a state party to the 1969 American Convention on Human Rights for the benefit and well-being of all Belizeans.
Sign this petition if you believe that the law should protect and serve the people of this country.
Of course, having the blessing to be alive now during a pandemic has us all looking at the world through the lense of that reality. So on this cool Friday morning with a hint of smoke in the air, this is what I attempt to do. Life is segmented now into BC Before Corona and AC After Corona.
Labor day is the day we use to commemorate and celebrate the contributions of our workers and validate the value of all work, big and small. I’m drawing on the juxtaposition of the pandemic and work simply because our focus on what is important work has been dramatically shifted. Societal norms raised us to think that the office job is better than that of the janitor. We then think that the cashier or shelf stackers were people who just did not take school as seriously as they should have. That our bus drivers, doormen, and bag boys deserve a low income because those things aren’t important jobs in the grand scheme of things.
Then the novel coronavirus came to town for an unscheduled and prolonged visit.
We rush stores to bulk buy. We jump on the buses and vans at rush hour to get home. We begin to obsessively clean everywhere. We then realize that the shelf goes empty faster, the shopping lines get longer, the buses become more packed and everything that we touch can inevitably lead to us contracting the virus. Hopefully, we have recognized how incredibly important the labor of those who we have looked down upon are.
We also must have recognized the importance of solidarity during this time as my brothers and sisters of Cuba always have. That country and its people have so valiantly offered themselves to so many countries in the world in this biological war against the human race. A country that we have also treated just as we treat our janitors and cashiers. Cuba a country that has been lambasted with an embargo from a country that is now the global epicenter of this pandemic. The beautiful island nation, the most developed country in this hemisphere, has sent frontline workers, soldiers out charging forth to help us survive even as its embassy is being attacked on US soil. That’s as close to the perfect labor of love that we can get.
Image Courtesy Breaking Belize News
I never miss a chance to tell people that this pandemic is a humanization reset. It has reminded us of what is most important, of the most valuable things. It has forced of the reconfigure the mathematics of how we measure value on a whole. As we reimagine as a globe and march toward creating a world where decent work is a priority and is a indispensable tool to achieve true and meaningful sustainable development, we must take the lessons with us. Those lessons that has pounded “pan de mic” and in the ears of the status quo.
So we know Ms. Rona has cracked the sash cord and has us in our homes for most of the day. If you’re like me you’re probably struggling with this new normal. We’re trying to adapt and adjust to the new requirements to stay safe and alive while balancing mental stability with remaining productive. I have a brain that has to intentionally keep learning ALL THE TIME even when not in a formal educational setting. There are millions of resources out there on Mr. Google but I wanted to share some of the resources, both new and old, that keep me occupied but also growing that big brain that we humans have been blessed with. We’re flipping the script on quarantine culture!
Before we go on though, I encourage everyone to read this essay by Charles Leslie Jr. entitled ‘Let us Prepare for the Rise of the Phoenix.’ It was such a comforting and insightful read in times of uncertainty especially if you live in Belize or if Belize lives in you.
The Resources:
The Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative is my first plug. I’ve always wanted to be a YLAI fellow but I’m still too young to apply. In the meantime, I joined the network to access online training and access great resource tools from YLAI alumni. These include servant leadership, grant writing, community organizing for action, transparency and good governance and much more! You can sign up for the newsletter and join a course here: https://ylai.state.gov/online-courses/
Next, Harvard University, one of the world’s leading universities, is offering FREE courses to keep those noggins in tip-top shape. These range from Pyramids of Giza: Ancient Egyptian Art and Archaeology, Strengthening Community Health Worker Programs and Justice among many other quirky but interesting topics. Some have already started so jump on it here: Free Harvard Learning
We’re scurrying along! Next up are the online resources made available by the Department of Youth Services. These programming objectives are specially curated for youth development purposes that are in line with its objectives of governance, health and well-being, enterprise and community strengthening. You can find the sign up information here: https://www.dysbelize.org/online-trainings
This one is for my fellow tree huggers who want to strengthen their understanding of the interlinkages of climate action at communal to international level. The United Nations Climate Change Learning Partnership is a partnership by over 30 organizations that love and work to preserve our only home! The awesome courses on this platform include children and climate change, cities and climate change, sustainable diet and of course much more. You can sign up and find out more at https://unccelearn.org/course/index.php. You will definitely be able to think, talk and act climate after these interactive sessions!
Finally, this one’s for my fellow book worms! Maestro Yasser Musa is one of my muses. He is an art activist, poet, publisher, and promoter. A bona fide creative with a WICKED brain. On his website, https://www.yassermusa.com/, he shares with us downloadable versions of his favorite reads from authors such as Toni Morrison, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, George Orwell, Arundhati Roy among others. No doubt a collection of books shared with him by those who inspire him, these books speak to politics, love, art and just the things we stay alive for. A concept memorialized in a quote from my favorite movies of all time, Dead Poet Society. “We don’t read and write poetry because it’s cute. We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.” While you’re on the website by sure to explore it a bit. I am sure you’ll find it awe-inspiring!
Of course, we know that everyone doesn’t have access to the internet in these times so if you are able to share those wifi passwords with your neighbors. Though small it’s an incredible act of solidarity!
That’s it! These are the spaces on the world wide web that are keeping me sane and safe while the in-person meetings with colleagues have ceased, while the quiet library with that comforting book smell is closed, while I can’t go visit my favorite coffee shop on the mouth of the Belize River to read my Amandala. I hope you can find learning and inspiration in them too!
It’s been twenty-three years since my first breath. It has been a beautiful life when I think about it. Yesterday also ended my 12-day reflective practice which rings in my official new year. As one of my final activities in that practice, I took some time and went through a lot of photos and outside my obvious obsession for my eyes, lips, flowers, and sunsets, I noticed that I have grown. Grown not only physically but up and out mentally and emotionally. I watched a shy girl grow into a confident woman (still very much introverted). I saw photos that I knew I was faking a smile in because my brown eyes were sad. I saw photos of persons who I’ve loved and lost, of those I’ve lost and still love. I reeled through the years and saw so many triumphs and even more failures. I reminisced on the rooms that I spent what felt like endless hours in with people that molded my worldview. I saw my steel pan, the wad of notes, the rhythm, the music that saved my life in dark DARK times. I looked back at the straight hair I once had, of the day I chopped that all off without fear.
I think of all the places I’ve been and the faces I’ve seen and damn how blessed I’ve been. I gave thanks to the family and friends that have loved me when it has been very difficult to. I am grateful for the colleagues that have shared their space and knowledge with me without fear of my fiery being without fear of my taking their place. I give thanks to those who have shown me how cruel the world can be, your lessons were invaluable. I stand on the shoulders of ancestors and elders that have built institutions that today allow me to be and do what I love the most. I pay homage to that by my stalwart journey through paths less traveled through my maintenance of integrity, service, and humanity.
I don’t have it all figured out, still learning to love myself, still practicing this confidence thing. All I know is that I want to live a passionately curious life and leave everything I touch in this realm a little better than how I first found it.
Most things I’ll never have to courage to say for several reasons either my tone will be taken as aggressive or my eyes will well up with tears or just some vulnerable situation will take place that I’d just rather not have anyone see me in and thus with taking finger to screen to vent, yes? Cheap therapy.
I’ve grown up a whole lot since I started to play steelpan at 16. A hobby that literally saved my life. Through the hobby of palancing,salsa-ing, caressing the notes of the pan I made life long friendships. Friends that I’ll love for life like Kandice, Alex, Maurice, Amal, Ryan, Kelsey, Arianne, Keanu, Kadeem, Analiese, Andoni, Kieran, Mr. Cas and my momma Jules along with her family. I also had people that I wasn’t particularly fond of in the beginning for whatever reason and one of those persons was Melody. My spirit just didn’t align with this girl’s own.
We played tenor together for a while and for most gigs we were in the same line. I don’t know what it was about her that I didn’t like because she was nurturing her black consciousness, being educated, she was pretty, her hair was bomb and well she was eccentric in her own way. All things I would regularly dig in another human. What was my problem? Maybe I was still coming into my own self like I alluded to before my later teens were turbulent as they could’ve ever been because my mind was in such a mess (reference that Spongebob scene where everything was burning in his mind) yup! That’s was me. Fast forward to 21/22 year old me and me and Melody the “par haad!” We’re discussing politics, ambitions, relationships and everything in between!
It’s been a slow-to-grow relationship but I’m glad it did. They say everything will bloom in its time and I’m grateful for that. Melody, I appreciate you chica! I admire your open mind, your humanity, your uniqueness, your confidence. Thanks for not shunning me and my miserable self, thank you for accepting me in my growth even though you were oblivious of that action.
I’ve always been more of a doer than a talker. I’d much rather manifest my thoughts all by myself because as much as other people want to help you make your dreams a reality their own thoughts on how to make it better will infiltrate and that can be a good or bad thing depending on the situation. Also, if you listen to me carefully as I speak you know I have a speech impediment that I worked on tirelessly to fix as a child by reading cereal boxes and a whole lot of Dr. Suess stories so public speaking is more of an insecurity. You could ask Musa how my face lights up when I find a Dr. Suess book! As a consequence of my introversion and “living in my head”, communicating my thoughts have been MAJOR struggle all my life not only because I didnt want to but also because I’ve never practiced it. I struggle even today to do that and writing helps some. I find that when I write there is little ambiguity (people simply interpret based on their human experience) because I use clear, direct, humanistic language or at least try my best to. This struggle I have trickles into every facet of my life friendships, professional life and romantic relationships. I often start, “okay,so…” and then right after my signature hand gesture show and a sigh of defeat I just retreat and say,”nevermind man.”
So when you see me on set with Marleni, or Mr.Ernesto,Yaya and most recently with Mose Hyde know that I takes a lot out of me to sit and be questioned but admittedly, it does help when I’m passionate about the topic. When I’m in a UNICEF,UNFPA, NCFC, DYS or Restore Belize meeting and I stand to speak its usually because someone has made a really wayward declaration that I need to correct in my unique vernacular; it’s not out of me wanting to make you look bad. In fact, you done that way before I stood up. When were friends and I take the time out to send a long voice message or write a long message know that I put so much thought into it and write it with you and your emotions in mind. When I’m trying to get to know you and I constantly and painstakingly make an effort to communicate with you my feelings don’t take that for granted because the universal creator knows that it is much easier for one of it’s most complex creations to simply not say anything.
I say all this to say that talking is not my strong suit (it will never be) but when I do speak or write there is barrage of mental preparation and overall discomfort. If I do it, it’s out of necessity and responsibility. Please don’t take that for granted.
Well this piece, this is just something I threw together this Sunday morning, thoughts I had to get out.
Musings by DN 