SINT MAARTEN/ST. MARTIN - Rhoda Arrindell’s book Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin is an important step toward filling a void in defining the vernacular and its value as a manifestation of the culture of the island of St. Martin. This distinction is important because English-based vernaculars are not uniform across the Caribbean, with its great variety of historical experiences. 

To establish a foundation for the discussion, a good deal of the book is spent defining what constitutes a creole, and the lack of agreement that exists about exactly what it is. I appreciated the explanation because I was under the impression that the term had a mutually accepted definition, but the book does a good job of refuting that notion.

One area that Arrindell mentions which amplified my own knowledge was that the “creolization” process was already taking place in Africa and on the slave ships even before the enslaved people reached their destinations.

While the overall treatment of creolization is necessary, I enjoyed even more the part that describes the St. Martin vernacular and wanted to see more than what the book provided. The description is more a research tool than an educational tool.

It is evident that more research is needed and another book will have to follow that codifies the language even further, and yet another to teach it to young people.

What may be unique and appealing to the visitor about two nations sharing the island in fact is a problem for the native St. Martiner. The book helps to highlight the educational issues that it engenders, as well as the fact that the ability of a nation to define its symbols plays a large role in its inhabitants’ own sense of identity.

Arrindell employed surveys in an effort to capture prevailing attitudes about St. Martin culture and the vernacular.

The ambivalence that islanders feel about their vernacular has parallels on other Caribbean islands and reflects the ongoing tension regarding how to evaluate the colonial experience in the region: is it something to be admired, despised, or applied selectively?

Reviewing the information led me to draw my own conclusions regarding the culture and language question. The native St. Martin culture, the French administration, the Dutch administration, and the various immigrant cultures all coexist on the island, but the native St. Martin culture is the only one of these that has the potential to be a unifying factor in establishing the island’s identity.

Unfortunately, this culture, in spite of the efforts of many individuals, still requires more study and appreciation by the entire population in order to have the necessary impact on the island’s sense of itself as a unique entity, especially in its children.

Though all the cultures on the island can and should coexist in a spirit of tolerance and celebration, the St. Martin language and culture can form an inclusive foundation that all the peoples of the island can share. 

Ed. Note: Michael Esposito is a business development consultant, language researcher, heritage tourism expert, and founder of Raices Culturales Latinoamericanas. Language, Culture, and Identity in St. Martin by Dr. Rhoda Arrindell was published by House of Nehesi Publishers (HNP) and is available in bookstores and online.

INTERNATIONAL – Five middle-distance runners from South Sudan, until recently living in Kenya’s Kakuma refugee camp, have flown out of the capital city of Nairobi to take part in the first-ever Olympic refugee team for the Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the United Nations refugee agency has said.

“I feel very excited. This is the first chance for the refugees to participate in the Olympics and to give us hope, for us to encourage the young generations of fellow refugees who are remaining in the camps maybe to continue their talent,” Rose Nathike Lokonyen, 23, told the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) prior to her departure.

The five runners – two women and three men – will join five others from Syria, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia to make history by taking part in the first-ever Refugee Olympic Team.

The 10-member team, backed by UNHCR and the International Olympic Committee, was created to bring global attention to the magnitude of the global refugee crisis and act as a symbol of hope for refugees worldwide.

“We have a message to tell the world: We have come as refugees, we have come as ambassadors for refugees, now we are here to show you that we can do everything other human beings can do, and also be part of a peace promotion around the world,” said 21-year-old Yiech Pur Biel.

UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has praised the young athletes.

“Their participation in the Olympics is a tribute to the courage and perseverance of all refugees in overcoming adversity and building a better future for themselves and their families,” he said in a recent statement.

Officially, the athletes will compete for the Refugee Olympic Team and march with the Olympic flag immediately before host nation Brazil at the opening ceremony.

The Rio Games run from 5 August to 21 August, and the Paralympic Games run from 7 to 18 September.

Earlier in the week, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for a worldwide cessation of hostilities, as all UN Member States pledged to observe the historic 'Olympic Truce' during the Games.

“A respite in fighting would manifest the values that the Games seek to promote: respect, friendship, solidarity and equality,” said Mr. Ban in his message.

“I call for a push to match efforts to win medals on the playing fields with work to silence guns on the battlefields,” he added.

The Secretary-General, recalling the late Olympic Gold Medallist and the UN Messenger of Peace, Muhammad Ali's message that he 'used boxing because it's a platform to get to people,' urged everyone to press all warring parties to lay down their weapons during the symbolic truce period.

INTERNATIONAL – Expressing serious concern over the proposed penal code amendment that would criminalize abortions, United Nations human rights experts today urged the Dominican Republic’s President and legislators to protect women’s rights to sexual and reproductive health in the Caribbean country.

“We urge Dominican authorities to repeal all restrictive legal provisions regarding abortion, especially in cases of risk to the health, including mental health, of the woman or girl, of rape and incest and of fatal impairment of the foetus,” they stressed in a press release.

The experts’ call comes at a time when the Dominican Senate will debate the reform of the Penal Code, which was adopted by the Chamber of Deputies and promulgated by the President in 2014. The code partially decriminalized the access to abortion services under three circumstances, including when the life of a pregnant women or girl was at risk, when the foetus could not survive outside the womb and when the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest.

The proposed text of the Criminal Code establishes that women who induce the termination of their pregnancy will be liable to two to three year-imprisonment sentences. Health professionals who perform abortions under any circumstances other than risk to the pregnant woman or girl’s life will be liable to four to 10 years in jail. Under the proposed amendment, terminating a pregnancy is only available in one case: when there is a risk for the life of the pregnant woman or girl.

“In comparison with the text of the Criminal Code adopted in 2014, the new proposal to amend the Dominican Criminal Code constitutes a clear regression in women’s and girls’ rights, especially to access safe healthcare services,” the experts said.

“Reducing access to such health services violates women’s and girls’ right to be protected against gender-based discrimination and from torture and ill-treatment,” they said.

“The Dominican Republic did not seize this key moment of legislative amendment to reaffirm its commitment towards the elimination of gender discrimination in its legislation and to advance women’s and adolescents’ sexual and reproductive rights but, rather, is attempting to remove crucial rights to reproductive health,” the experts deplored.

They urged President Danilo Medina and its government to take all necessary measures in accordance with their international human rights obligations, to ensure that women and girls have effective and safe access to all necessary healthcare services, including sexual and reproductive services.

PHILIPSBURG – A third political party has issued a press release in connection with the passing of Alexander Marlin.

The board of the United St. Maarten Party (USP) and its leader Member of Parliament Frans Richardson extend heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Alexander Marlin.

“In such times there are no perfect words of comfort to extend. Alexander was truly a wonderful human being and decent man, a good man. In this time of sorrow, we all feel a void at Alexander’s loss, but at the same time we are all happy that he lived.

“We also extend our condolences to the families of former Commissioner Julian Rollocks and current Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo,” the party said.

The two other parties issued condolence messages earlier in the week.

The United People's Party (UP) Board and Leader of the UP Party Member of Parliament Theodore Heyliger extend condolences to the family and friends of Alexander Marlin, and to the families of Julian Rollocks and Member of Parliament Leona Marlin-Romeo.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family members during this very difficult time. May the Almighty give you strength during this period of mourning,” UP Party Board said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

“The National Alliance family extends sympathy to the Honorable Prime Minister William Marlin and former Island Council Member and Commissioner Julian Rollocks and their families on the passing of Alexander Marlin, first cousin to the Prime Minister and Brother of Mr. Rollocks.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the late Alexander Marlin in their time of bereavement. May the Lord grant you strength and understanding during this time of loss.”