On this night, 25 years ago the Union Jack was lowered and the Belizean flag was raised for the first time. There were deep political divisions about the design of the flag at the time and some of that resentment still persists, although only residually. That's why the big story of this celebration season is the sudden ubiquity of the Belizean flag. You've probably seen them on cars, buildings, and on celebration t-shirts. So what's behind the sudden craze: is it patriotism or just a fad? Today Keith Swift scoured the city to find out why, 25 years after it was first unfurled, flags have flying off store shelves and onto the street.
Keith Swift Reporting,
In all shapes, sizes, and interpretations - the Belizean flag is being shown highly and proudly. It is flying on cars, delivery trucks, buses, this bicycle had a flag, and even the pizza delivery guy had his one. This taco stand flew a flag and deep in the hood the big red and the blue was also flying high. By now you get the picture - and it is a picture of a rarely seen show of unified patriotism across the board. This elderly cyclist says the flag on his bike is a gift to Belize.
Cyclist,
"As I said again, it is a show of my patriotism to Belize. I love Belize and I wouldn't want to leave Belize for nowhere else and that is the reason why I am moving around with my flag. I feel dignified using my flag."
Anthony Arnold has his mini-van decked out with flags while Kent Garcia's flying one on his Trooper.
Anthony Arnold,
"We as Belizeans have to represent for our country, for our nation, and we as Belizeans."
Kent Garcia,
"It is me being patriotic towards my country and we are proud to have our silver anniversary, 25 years. It means a lot because I am a proud Belizean citizen and I really love my country a lot and I am glad to see that we are an independent nation and that we are celebrating 25 years."
Anthony Arnold,
"Being here in Belize and knowing it will be 25 years since we had our independence, I think we should be proud of our country. We are a young country. We are growing. Although a whole lot of nonsense has gone on in the country, still we should show our patriotism as Belizeans."
Dorita Cacho agrees with Anthony Arnold. She is flying a small flag on her home on Police Street. She says that yes, things may be tough, but it is still our country and that is worth celebrating.
Dorita Cacho,
"With all we are going through, thick and thin, yes we are going through a lot of situation in our country but we are still proud of our country no matter what and we are still surviving as Belizeans."
Keith Swift,
Is this in anyway political for you?
Dorita Cacho,
"Not really. It is not really political. It is just that I like my country 100%. I love my country and I feel proud to be a Belizean."
Deep on Man-O-War Street in the Jane Usher Boulevard area Sherret Aranda is flying a life size Belizean flag. Aranda and this area has seen some hard days but she says she is celebrating because she still has her country and that is worth celebrating.
Sherret Aranda,
"I am showing my patriotism. Obviously it was more than a flag because I am a Belizean and I am proud to be a Belizean. It is time to get together and be one. Time to stop the fighting. Everybody needs to stop the fighting and get together and be one. We are all Belizeans."
Keith Swift,
Is this political?
Sherret Aranda,
"Not really. It is not about politics."
Keith Swift,
Are you trying to send a message by putting up a flag?
Sherret Aranda,
"Yes. The message is stop fighting because we are all Belizeans. We need to get together and be one. We are all Belizeans."
Most Belizeans have been buying their flags at stores like A&R. Here at A&R the number one seller was this vehicle mounted flag. At a price of $9.95 it sold out in less than a week. In fact they are completely out of these flags. This one has already bought and paid for.
Tomasita Urbina, A&R Store
"We had a big amount of flags that we brought, more than we usually bring, and we sold out especially this vehicle one here that we have. This one is sold out. This really sold well. This one as you see here is for $3.95. it is a very good flag and we sold out on this and we had to bring some more."
Keith Swift,
How quickly did it sell out?
Tomasita Urbina,
"This one? In less than a week it was gone."
Keith Swift,
As a businesswoman, is this surprising?
Tomasita Urbina,
"Well I think we are getting more patriotic or something but it really surprised me the amount of flags that we sold this year. We didn't expect that turnout of flags."
And those flags are flying off shelves at A&R and flying just about everywhere imaginable.
