Disclaimer: By the time this article is published, there is a high chance that there is a new development with the current political crisis in Sint Maarten. For the in depth analysis on the situation, Click Here.
Some time throughout the week I got a message from a regional friend that said "What the [expletive] is wrong with sxm politicians?" I got another text from another regional friend "Sint Maarten always in some [expletive]." When Kevz Politics on Twitter (now known as X) posted that the Prime Minister dissolved parliament after the loss of support for the government most of the reactions were "Oh this is normal for Sint Maarten."
As a politician of this country, yueen feel shame bigs? Because I do and I think it is unfair that the people - especially the youth of Sint Maarten- should carry the shame of your actions. It is frustrating that for the 14 years of country status, we are on cabinet number 10. It is frustrating that the governance of the country is seen as a game by those who hold the office. However, at this age, I decided that I would no longer carry the shame that they refuse to carry.
As a young person who has been around active politics all my life, I've been through a series of emotions regarding the stability of this country. I've been in shock, sadness, anger, frustration, and embarrassment. But who am I to feel these emotions if those who are in charge treat the entire matter as a prolonged chess match? The pieces might look different but the actions are the same. I've been lied to personally and as a citizen of this country more than enough by the people who grace the stages and the airwaves saying that they are doing this for the betterment of the people of Sint Maarten.
The question is... which people of Sint Maarten?
They don't feel shame. It is obvious that if the opportunity presents itself once again they would do it again. Right? That is what happened in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2024. I can already see the gotcha moment. Oh, there was a period of stability between 2020 and 2024. But at what cost? At the hills being cut up like pieces of scrap paper? Or the electricity grid in shambles and no direction for the company to get itself together, pretenses, unnecessary political drama, and inflated egos?
But it's okay, yueen feel shame. So I shouldn't either.
Why would I care about the country that I say I love? Why would I care about the people that I say are my people? Why would I enact policies and make decisions that wouldn't put my country in danger? That's obviously not the expectation of those who are running a country. Right?
Sarcasm aside, the main problem with all of this is our entitlement as a Sint Maarten people. We are in belief because we from here, born here, have this or have that, that we are entitled to things. That is not how things work. Our entitlement is why we have the issues we have today. We don't know how to cooperate, work for others and not ourselves, and truly participate in the community that we swore was better over half a century ago. Until there is a major cultural shift in how we as a people of Sint Maarten behave and move in our personal and professional spaces, these situations will continue to happen.
And all I have to do is laugh.
Because what is really happening?