African descendants in St. Eustatius critically reflecting on the Statia Heritage Research Commission
TILBURG / ST.EUSTATIUS / 15 August 2021 / -- Ubuntu Connected Front
"MISTAKES WERE MADE AND THERE SHOULD AND MUST BE CONSEQUENCES" - SAYS UCF CARIBBEAN CHAIR
Since the announcement of the appointment of the Statia Heritage Research Commission (SHRC) based on a press release of 28 July 2021, we have not heard much on this matter.
Several concerns keep reverberating as time seems to fly by.
How serious should one take these appointments and the establishment of this commission, without an official document other than a press release? This looks like an example of the so-called “Civil Society Advisory Council” which basically still looks like a handpicked group of individuals, under a cloak of a secrecy process, that is conveniently used as a “sounding board”, but lacking proper foundation. In a country where words like “Good Governance”, “Transparency” and “Accountability” seems to be consistently used as a bullwhip to keep others inline, shouldn’t having a decree in place signify the establishment and purpose of the SHRC?
Another concern is, what is the budgetary allotment for the officially not established commission? Is this commission supposed to operate independently from government on a voluntary basis, but lack the authority to pay for coffee, tea and a stick of gum?
Not having these things in place, especially not officially documented leaves the commission very vulnerable. Individuals can be randomly removed or added with very little form of due process, but the reality might be just because they are too critical or their profile falls in line with an expected result. The whatever financial pipe can easily be cut off, just because government does not like what they are hearing through the grapevines.
Operating in an “ad hoc” manner and only saying you are transparent, by whatever government establishment it may be, amplifies the call for the decolonization of archeological research, particularly related to African Diaspora, throughout the Dutch Kingdom. We are also calling on the members of the St. Eustatius Island Council to become more engaged in this struggle. You are the voice of the people!
Are most of the experts of African and other identities, who have the knowledge on this topic in the Caribbean, already incorporated in the SHRC? It seems to have been a strategic move from those in authority for that be the case. They might even have a hand by constructing a non-workable commission. It is like taking a drag net to fish in the Caribbean Sea. It also just seems to be a symbolic and political affair to show that they have support from many professionals.
The overall conclusion of which there can be no denial, is that serious mistakes were made and there should and must be consequences.
The fight and struggle as African people and the descendants thereof, is fighting against the legacy of the Dutch transatlantic slave trade, colonialism, the denial of the right to self- determination, and the continuing impact thereof on the people of African descent.
Our narrative as Africans, aim and vision are about the restoration, bringing dignity and respect to our ancestral remains and our ancestors resting places and spirituality. The crimes that have been committed against our ancestors, are recognized by the UN as a crime against humanity.
Ubuntu Connected Front (UCF) Caribbean, Brighter Path Foundation, and SEAD, welcome the move of the announcement of the appointment of the Statia Heritage Research Commission (SHRC), which is a small step going forward, as to what should have happened from day one. We are far from being satisfied and as such, we will remain vigilant.
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Online Petition: https://www.change.org/LeaveOurAncestorsInPeace
Overview of activities in relation to the objections against the disrespectful excavations of our ancestors: https://afrikanhistoryandconsciousness.blogspot.com/
UCF, Brighter Path and SEAD are African centered organizations of people of African descent from St. Eustatius.
Press Release agreed and approved by:
- Xiomara Balentina - President Brighter Path St. Eustatius
- Derrick Simmons - Coordinator movement Ubuntu Connected Front (UCF) St. Eustatius
- George Berkel - Vice-president of grassroots movement SEAD (St. Eustatius Awareness and Development Movement)
- Kenneth Cuvalay - Chairman movement Ubuntu Connected Front (UCF) Caribbean & Tilburg
Ubuntu means "humanity" in African Bantu languages. It is often translated as "I am because we are", or "humanity towards others". It is Ubuntu Connected Front’s core belief that all people have rights, which promotes equality of treatment and eliminates marginalization and deprivation.
The 'Black Agenda' of Ubuntu Connected Front (UCF) can be found in the "Manifest for NL Transformation" at the UCF website (Chapter 5).
