One SXM’s Rhoda Arrindell attends and speaks at Black Women march in Brasilia

BRAZIL--“Epically spiritual and powerful would be just a few words I would use to describe the experience so far,” says Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, President of One SXM, at the end of the Black Women March for Reparations and Good Living on November 25. The March, which took place in Brasilia, capital of Brazil, was part of the week’s activities marking the 10th anniversary of the Black Women March in 2015.

According to organizers, “This year marks ten years since the first historic Black Women’s March in Brazil, when more than 100,000 Black women mobilized in defense of reparations, dignity, and the right to well-being. The 2025 March deepens this agenda and strengthens the political articulation of Black women across the diaspora. It is a critical moment for global Black feminist movements and for advancing the international struggle for reparations.”

Arrindell was invited by the Global Committee to speak on the opening panel of the Transnational Dialogues for Reparation and Bem Viver (Portuguese for Good Living) on November 22 to share a Caribbean perspective. During her presentation, the One SXM President shared information on the colonial situation in St. Martin, the Dutch apology for Slavery, and One SXM’s rejection of the apology because it lacked a commitment to Reparations and a commitment to non-repetition.

The One SXM Claim, which Arrindell said is a working document, was also shared with the audience. The Claim was drafted using CARICOM’s 10-Point Plan and outlines 15 points to be negotiated with the Dutch government as part of reparatory justice. The 15 areas covered are: (1) Full and Formal Apology, (2) Repatriation, (3) Indigenous Peoples Development Program, (4) Cultural Institutions, (5) Public Health and Social Security, (6) Illiteracy Eradication, (7) Higher Education, (8) Salt and Agriculture, (9) African Knowledge Program, (10) Transfer of Technology, (11) Rehabilitation and Compensation for Psychological Trauma, (12) Bestowing Justice, (13) International Financial System Accessibility, (14) Climate Justice, (15) Debt Cancellation.

During the plenary session to draft the global letter on November 24, Arrindell asked that the final document contain a call for the full decolonization of the Caribbean as a form of reparations and good living in the Caribbean. The Global Dialogues continue on November 26 with the National Public Hearing: Gender & Racial Parity and Political Violence.

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