Aug-24-09 11

Islands

THE DAILY HERALD, Monday, August 24, 2009

By Suzanne Koelega R O T T E R DA M - - M i n i s ter Plenipotentiary in The Hague, Marcel van der Plank, spoke the mind of many Statians living in the Netherlands when he said that the island should make sure that it does not lose its culture when it becomes part of the Netherlands in the near future. “I hope you will keep your own culture and flag. Stay proud of yourself and remain as you are although technically you will become part of the Netherlands. Don’t become second class citizens,” said Van der Plank who was part of the well-attended Sunday BBQ picnic, organised by Friends of Statia, in Kralingse Bos, a large park in Rotterdam. Friends of Statia Chair person Lynnette Anson fully agreed with the sentiments the minister expressed words. “We have our own culture and it is important to maintain that, if we can. We’ll have to fight, stand up for who we are,” she said. Being part of the Netherlands as a “public entity” together with Bonaire and Saba would not “only bring nice things,” said Anson, who had been involved in politics and had run on the slate of St. Eustatius Alliance (SEA) years ago. As former president of St. Eustatius Historical Foundation, Anson knows it is important to maintain ones identity and fight for ones culture and heritage. Anson, who has been living in the Netherlands for 18 years, said St. Eustatius had not learned to grow up and was still stuck like a premature baby in an incubator. “We didn’t show the ability. We were lazy and just held up ourselves. We need to be more independent,” she said. Friends of Statia board member Xiomara Balentina said becoming part of the Netherlands was “not the

Hook said that many Statians in the Netherlands would love to return to their island to help, but there are not enough jobs and that they are not certain what the future would bring for them. “Will the doors be opened for everyone? What will happen to the jobs, land and houses for the Statians?”

Attracted by the warm weather, good food and the chance to have a nice chat with fellow countrymen, more than 150 Statians living in the Netherlands went to Kralingse Bos, a large park in Rotterdam Sunday afternoon. Friends of Statia organised the BBQ picnic. Photo by Suzanne Koelega right status for the people.” “Some people say it’s good for Statia’s development, but I don’t think so. People should be able to stand on their own feet. Sure, with some help from outside, but this way they’ll never learn. The people will stay spoiled,” she said. Balentina, who has been in the Netherlands for twelve years, acknowledged that St. Eustatius, at this moment, is not ready for more independence. “We should take the opportunity and make use of the knowledge that the Dutch will bring, so that after the five-year evaluation, the island will be ready for more autonomy.” Self-esteem Assuming more independency is important for Statia’s future and the self-esteem of its people, said Balentina. “If we don’t do this, what will be our legacy? Who will our children be? Do we know who we are? We have no real identity. Look at St. Kitts and Nevis. They struggle, but they are proud,” she said, pointing out that “distrust” has hindered Statia’s development. Errol Brice said that “going back” to the Netherlands into a “semi-colonial” status proves a “sense of failure.”

Being part of the Netherlands Antilles for more than 50 years should have served as an interim period in which St. Eustatius should have prepared for more autonomy. “Now it is too late. We are spoiled, accustomed to holding out our hand, getting things the easy way and that is a pity,” he said. According to Brice, who has lived in the Netherlands for 18 years, Statians suffer “mental poverty” because their mind was not free. Changing that mentality will be the biggest challenge, he predicted. About Statia’s new status as public entity, Brice said: “We tolerate the situation more or less for financial reasons, but it is not ideal.” No turning back Naris van Putten, who has resided in the Netherlands since 1990, said it was a “pity” that it had to come this far. He said that with the disintegration of the Netherlands Antilles, some kind of solution had been necessary for the smaller islands. “Now there is no turning back. I am not in favour of this new status, but we’ll have to make the best of it.” Van Putten also hoped that Statia’s culture and identity would not be lost. He

said that Statians were not outspoken and had always maintained an attitude of wait and see. You have to be outspoken and stand up for yourself. Be more proactive. I mean, whose island is it really?” He said local politicians played a vital role in the constitutional process and they should inform the people. Lilian King grew up in Curaçao, but her roots lie in St. Eustatius. Having lived in the Netherlands for 29 years, she believes that it is important to keep ones pride and own identity. “I hope St. Eustatius can maintain its own culture. Otherwise, they’ll become just like a republic.” “I’m for the new status, as long as it brings positive things and only if St. Eustatius can remain as it is,” said Bernadette Blair, who lives in the Netherlands since 1993. “St. Eustatius needs a push. We’ll have to wait and see how it works out,” she said. Therese Hook believed the new status was a “good thing.” “St. Eustatius now has a chance to build back up itself. More autonomy will become possible in a few years, but not now. There are not enough capable people. The Dutch taking over tasks may not be a bad thing. People can learn,” she said.

More rules Lashandra Heemstadt retuned to the Netherlands a year ago. She had lived in Statia for four years in the past. The new status will have “good and bad things,” she said. “There will be more employment when the Dutch takes over. It will help the economy, but there will also be more rules. St. Eustatius needs this status for now because it cannot stand on its own feet. However, people

11

should keep most of their cultural identity,” she said. Avril Bakker-Euson was born in St. Eustatius. Having lived in the Netherlands since 1980, she saw the positive aspects of becoming part of the Dutch Constellation. “Infrastructure, education, health care have to be improved and it will be. St. Eustatius will be confronted with new growth and new cultures. That needs to be guided well. You cannot integrate into the Netherlands and say we are not changing anything,” she said in flawless Dutch. Bakker-Euson said she was convinced that Statia’s people could maintain their culture and own identity. “You are and remain a Statian. I am not afraid of the transition, but then again, I live in the Netherlands, I pay taxes there and I know the rules.”

Friends of Statia board member Xiomara Balentina (left) and Therese Hook (right) are concerned about the possible loss of culture and identity when St. Eustatius becomes part of the Netherlands in the near future. Photo by Suzanne Koelega

Minister Plenipotentiary Marcel van der Plank receives a small gift from Friends of Statia Chair person Lynnette Anson during the BBQ picnic in Rotterdam on Sunday afternoon. Photo by Suzanne Koelega