Belizean Wakes and Funerals

Published by BBN Staff at May 28, 2021

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Posted: Friday, May 28, 2021. 1:47 pm CST.

The views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not necessarily those of Breaking Belize News.

Contributed by PUP Belize: Belize has many traditions, to mark important moments in life and in death. It was no surprise then that it was a mock death of Corruption that the Joint Unions chose to try and drum up an audience even if they could not scrape up enough support from the public. It has been a grave miscalculation by the Joint Unions, because in these times of crisis those who are still unemployed and underemployed are hard pressed to feel empathy or sympathy for an undisciplined mob that from the safety of their established status squabble and bicker unceasingly. The Unions cannot decide at varying moments whether they are indeed united or not. Some seem on the verge of throwing in the towel, and others stubbornly cling to fading contradicting arguments.

At this point not much is clear, the unions are bashing and biting at one another trying to cast blame and aspersion on each other. What is most shameful however is the way in which cannibalistic tendencies are turned on fellow members of the Public Service. It seems that no dissent is allowed. It is quite shameful that those that style themselves as champions of forward, and independent thinkers immediately violently quell any questions or opinions that do not exactly mirror their own. In Corozal for instance, the BNTU chapter on social media blatantly accuses police officers and customs officers of soliciting and taking “pachochas.” The PSU for its part took offence that the Labour Commissioner penned a letter reminding public servants of rights and responsibilities. It seems the BNTU is looking to break ranks and is stealthily distancing themselves from the rest of the riff raff they consider themselves a cut above. Most other public servants it seems are tainted by the whiff of corruption, are lazy and have not been doing their jobs. The PSU and APSSM are looking dazed and confused.

Funerals in Belize usually follow a wake where we mourn the passing of the deceased. In the case of the sometimes-Joint Unions, the funeral came before the wake. It was loudly proclaimed that Corruption is now dead. It seems that Democracy is also dead. The Unions do not want a compromise, they want to dominate, to legislate, to design and institute policy, reform, fiscal and monetary policy. They have become that which they declare so vehemently to abhor. They have themselves become politicians. To get a clear mandate from the people, it is necessary to quit hiding behind empty rhetoric and with courage, conviction but most of all honesty put your name on the ballot. It is not enough to “papi show” all over town, scream like a banshee and wiggle like your pants are on fire and claim that coveted fifteen minutes of fame. Those Belizeans that are inconvenienced are the ones who have suffered and continue to suffer poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity.

These are the people that teachers berate on social media as lazy and unwilling to take up the responsibility of their own children. These faux politicians miscalculated, and this time their plan backfired, Belizeans are not amused, by these antics. The only thing that is good about this whole exercise in futility is that all the skeletons are laid bare. Desperation is not a cute for Elena et al. We are suddenly made aware of the short comings in the tax collection, customs, and lands departments. I have not heard Madame Senator give up her Senatorial salary in protest. Wakes and funerals in Belize are often the stage for curious and comical family dramas. This one was no different, in grabbing for the inheritance there is always that one woke family member that seems to come out winning. As things unfold my bet that the liar, liar pants on fire will ditch the dead weight of her sistren and brethren and negotiate on her own.

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