Column: “Code Black!” Wake Up!

It is a fact that the Black world population has endured much suffering. The consequences of this are living proof of marginalization. But how do we allow the past to influence our future? Do we wake up, or do we remain in a deep sleep? Why are we still in the underdog position? Have we grown attached to that position, or are we deliberately being kept there?

Look within yourself and ask whether you cannot go further than where you are now. Whether you cannot do more than what you are already doing. You have the right to self-determination. The right to live with dignity. The right to participate in the whole. Across all parts of the world, it often seems as though the Black man is seen as a burden to society. Respect and love for one another are often hard to find as well. What are we going to do about this?

Shifting the focus for a moment to the Afro-Surinamese community in the Netherlands and Suriname, I do not see real progress for a large part of this group. What I do see is how they are being used by so-called leaders. The result is yet another dark page for the Black population. You would wonder how this is possible, and yet it is part of reality.

You would think that difficult times would strengthen the group. On the contrary, a brain drain is taking place in Suriname, and once again it becomes everyone for themselves, with all the consequences that follow. Where you would expect there to be enough pioneers present to help redirect the group, you see many leaving the country in search of better prospects.

Education is often lacking as well. As a result, many leave school early, only to chase quick money or become dependent on others.

To break out of this cycle, self-reliance will need to become even more present. I say even more, because I assume that at least a trace of it is already there. We also need to think more in terms of group formation. This has nothing to do with discrimination, but with strengthening group cohesion and every individual within the group.

Let us create a better foundation so that we can set and achieve new, stronger goals that build up the entire group. Let us listen to one another, learn to trust one another more, respect one another, encourage one another, and also esteem one another highly. Because only together can we claim a better existence.

Finally: let us not lose sight of leadership. Democratically chosen structures within the whole must be the spearhead. One thing is certain: someone else will not do it for us. We will have to take the wheel ourselves and get to work.

That is how you keep your eyes and thinking open, so that you can and may become part of this movement of cooperation. And do not allow yourself to be played or misled by people who are only after their own gain. In my view, we have long passed that stage.