And Tzib also broke down another narrative that has been perpetuated in Belize's history books - and one that is especially relevant at this time of year, that's the Battle of St George's Caye. Most students are taught that the Baymen and the slaves worked shoulder to shoulder to defeat the Spaniards, but it wasn't so black and white.
And with the tenth of September almost upon us, Tzib mused about the purpose of celebrating it. He explained that myths are often created in a country's development, but that history changes as more facts come to light, and that this battle is something that should be further examined.
Delmer Tzib, History Lecturer, UB
"Part of a nation is actually creating myths around nation building and so forth. The Battle of St George's Caye is one of those that was used to create this idea of togetherness and the common enemy is the Spanish and we were working together and so forth. However, I think revisionist historians and actually recent research has also been showing how that was used to create loyalty to the empire. And in that case, it is important for us to keep evaluating and questioning it. It is again I think whenever you say anything about the Battle of St George's Caye, we're at the eve right now, it is controversial at any point. But if we keep just accepting then we are doing just the opposite of where we need to go."
"I think it is two fold, one we need to stop being afraid of our history. Two, we need to understand that history is not a static subject. A lot of people tend to think that history is just the facts that are out there and that's it, when really, what historical consciousness is all about, is about looking at the past, examining what historians wrote and why they wrote it, how they wrote it, what evidence used in order for you to make your own conclusion. So really, where we need to move towards, it's a consciousness, a historical consciousness that really takes into consideration what has been done, the evidence used to prove those points, or to argue those points, and question it, that's where we need to go."
"My personal position is that we should not celebrate the Battle of St George's Caye, that's my personal position. But as a professional there are barriers there that I have to be mindful of. However, whenever you look at the data that is there and is present, why are we celebrating it? That's the question that needs to be asked. Why are we talking so much about the Battle today? Why do we keep talking about it every year? What is in it for this Belizean identify? How does this battle contribute to who we are? If it contributes or if it doesn't, so all of these things are questions that, of course, still need to be discussed but without fear of infighting but rather as an academic exercise as well."
