One week ago at this time we were getting ready for the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. But, the first warning shot to Bukcingham Palace had already been fired from way down south in Indian Creek - telling William and Kate that their visit to this former colony raises deep historical issues and inter generational trauma.
In fact, colonialism's deathly legacy stalked them throughout their travels from Belize to Jamaica and the Bahamas - with various groups demanding reparations, and apologies. But, in Belize, the mayas of Indian Creek told them they must ask consent - a righteous affront to the royal prerogative which was the only event that caused the Cambridge's to wheel and come again.
Tonight, in an editorial commentary, Jules Vasquez looks at the importance of the Indian Creek intervention:
In the Bahamas, Rastafarians protested in song outside a school that the royals were visiting.
In Jamaica, activists protested outside the British High Commission.
And Prime Minister Andrew Holness publicly told the Prince that Jamaica will be doing away with its constitutional monarch
Jamaican PM tells Kate and William his country is 'moving on' to become a republic
Andrew Holness, Prime Minister of Jamaica
"I am certain you would have seen the spectrum of expressions yesterday. There are issues here that are as you would know unresolved but your presence gives an opportunity for those issues to be put in context placed front and center and to be addressed as best as we can but Jamaica is as you would see a country that is very proud of our history and very proud of what we have achieved. We are moving on and we intend to attain in short order...our goals and fullfil our true ambitions as an independent, developed, prosperous country."
In Belize, the Ubad Educational Foundation put out this statement, calling the visit "an atrocity to our Afrikan Ancestors, and Afrikan people living in Belize!"
YaYa Marin Coleman, Chairperson UBAD Educational Foundation
"They're British conquerors and for them to have the face of brass, but that's who they are. Some people questioned if they have souls to come back here."
A chorus of protest and rejection - stalking the royals as they merrily pranced though their former colonies on a royal frolic.
But the ones who first lit the flame of defiance are the Maya villagers of Indian Creek:
Donisio Shol, Indian Creek Villager
"We can't go to Buckingham and say clear the land we are coming through. Reverse the role in our case, you have to go with procedure, you have to ask and if you allow them then you go ahead."
They demanded prior consultation before the Royals landed on their village football field, and by protesting against this very first stop on the tour, and the most symbolically loaded one, set a tone of resistance and created a social space and spirit for protests- however small - and letters of disapproval that followed in Jamaica and Bahamas - letting the royals know that their realms were no longer populated by dutiful and servile subjects. This defiant spirit should - depending on your view of history - be cause for at least respect, f not celebration.
But the Foreign Minister seemed to see it as an offense:
Eamon Courtenay, Foreign Minister
"It created some negative press, that was not for the benefit of Belize."
Say what? Not for the benefit of Belize?
In fact, for many - this journalist included - this spot of spirited protest was something to be proud of - what kind of loyal lackeys would we have looked like in the regional context - had someone not stood up in Belize to say "it's not ok - colonialism was not ok - all is not well."
But, while the Foreign Minister may be going for an honorary title as president emeritus of the Loyal and Patriotic Order of the Baymen - he does speak fact:
Eamon Courtenay, Foreign Minister
"She's still our head and until that change, she is the queen of Belize."
Incontrovertibly so, and only a scattering of voices would dare say otherwise.
