The issue of race, it’s like a Pandora’s Box but one that’s
stuffed with TNT – because once opened, its contents are sure to be explosive.
And that’s just what’s been happening since Tourism Minister Manuel
“Junior” Heredia’s made comments last week about creoles on
San Pedro. He said that he would support the “deportation” of certain
undesirable people from the island if that’s what San Pedro had to go
to restore safety tot heir community. He specifically mentioned persons of Creole
descent.
It’s not the first time a San Pedro Area Representative has gone
“there”; his predecessor Patty Arceo said more or less the same
thing back in 2002 – and it generated a similar controversy. So what’s
old is new again, except that today, Herredia had an apology, of sorts. He gave
it to Jim McFadzean who put his new remarks in context of the controversy that’s
now dominating the national discourse. Here’s more.
Jim McFadzean Reporting,
By all accounts Minister Heredia is well liked and respected both on and off
the island of San Pedro. And so those who know him are questioning whether it
was just a mere slip of the tongue or plain racism simply rearing its ugly head.
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr., Minister of Tourism
“Most people that I have approached feel that the intention was never
there to offend any race. The intention was to send the message of what was
done in the past and I think I mentioned that that would be more difficult today,
I mentioned human rights and those kinds of things. But definitely it was never
my intention to target any specific race of people. The intention was to send
the message that we are serious about crime and that we will do what it takes
to make sure that our island is safe for tourists and for locals. Indeed if
it was offended anybody, I regret it very much and my apologies to whoever was
offended.”
The Minister’s apology come from remarks which drew widespread criticism
and triggered a national debate on the issue of race in Belize, and the discourse
on the subject was loudest on the popular KREM radio and television talk show:
Wake Up Belize. Once admired and lauded for its melting pot of people living 
in harmony and to some degree free of racial discord, Belize is now having to
confront the polarizing and perplexing issue of race.
Sharon Marin, Co-Host – WUB
“For the Minister to make that comment that the people of Creole descent
are basically the troublemakers on the island is prejudicial and I don’t
think it was the right time and place if ever there is a right time and place
to make those comments.”
Mose Hyde, Host- WUB
“Everything I have heard from people who deal with him is that he
is a politician, a Minister who attempts to be fair and who attempts to get
the job done. I have not heard a lot of ill, I have experienced any arrogance
coming from Minister Heredia who it was kind of surprising that he would violate
like that. And it is a violation to call out an ethnic group and to say that,
at least the way he puts it, is that they have to take back San Pedro even of
human rights people are saying it is wrong to stereotype which is essentially
saying that they will have an unwelcome sign for people of Creole descent.”
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr.,
“Definitely I am not racist, I am not a racist and anybody that knows
me well will tell you that that is the way I am, that is the way I will be,
and that is the way I will continue to treat people across the nation. In particularly
let us be very clear, San Pedro today is made up of 65% from the out the districts
and the other 35% our local people. I personally realized from way back that
this was going to happen and I made it my duty to welcome people, to embrace
them, so that they can be part of me and part of my party and that is why we
have been very successful in my area in municipal elections and in general elections
and I am telling you that it doesn’t really have an effect on the island.
If you speak to anybody on the island, they know it was not my intention and
they know I was being fair and they know that what is in the best interest of
the island.”
Jim McFadzean,
“Now having said that, do you believe that those draconian measures of
the past did have an effect, a positive impact on reducing crime on the island?”
Hon. Manuel Heredia Jr.,
“Well definitely I have to be very honest. Like what I said in San
Pedro, it is indeed a fact. Probably I offended somebody but it did have a very
positive effect. Crime was very limited and all we had at the time was one or
two police officers and it used to work.”
The influx of neighbouring Central American immigrants seems to have blurred
the lines for some Belizeans who seem to have difficulty distinguishing native
and foreign born Hispanics. That was evident in the remarks coming from another
Minister of Government, who in the course of defending the governments land
policy on those who qualify as Belizeans, made this remarkable statement as
to whom he believes qualifies as a bona fide Belizean.
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Public Service
“I am sure that Mr. Hon. Ramon Witz has Belizeans, bonafide Belizeans,
Black Belizeans if you may.”
Sharon Marin,
“You are very disappointed because there are not only black people
there in the mix there are also Hispanic people. You mention black people several
times when we were speaking but we also have Hispanic bonafide Belizeans…”
Hon. John Saldivar,
“Yes and we welcome them.”
Sharon Marin,
“…There are not immigrants, they are not Guatemalans. So why
are we just focusing on black?”
There is no doubt that this very sensitive issue if left unchecked, will become
another reason for those on the extreme end of the divide to further polarize
this nation. Already, the People’s United Party has issued a strong condemnation
of Minister Heredia’s remarks, begging the question, is this a sincere
concern from the PUP, or just one more attempt at gaining political mileage
on a public controversy. For Seven News, I’m Jim McFadzean.
Saldivar’s remarks were in relation to the 1,300 acres of land
adjoining mile 40 on the Western Highway which have become the subject of much
public discussion recently. The land is considered “up for grabs”
after supposedly being abandoned by the Taiwanese owners. But there’s
some dispute as to who’s next in line – immigrant farmers have started
squatting on the land while farmers from John Saldivar’s Belmopan Division
have also been encouraged to move in.
Well, this evening, a release from the government made two things clear.
First, Cabinet met today and agreed that the 1,300 acres will be acquired for
agricultural purposes. A release says it will be acquired due to large amounts
in tax arrears. The Ministry of Natural Resources will draw
up a subdivision plan for agricultural purposes and persons interested in acquiring
a parcel should apply directly to the Lands Department. Until then, government’s
order is that “all persons (should) cease and desist from any new
clearing or occupation of the area.”
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