Independence needs a shift

The independence movement in St. Maarten has made its case. The goal is understood. What is not understood by many is the path. It is time the messengers accept that a pivot to more education and information is needed, if they want the message to stick.

MP Franklin Meyers has stressed this in his own way. Learning cannot rest on the line that the best way to be independent is to become independent. That may resonate in places formed by recent struggle and open oppression. Our context is different. Most people today have not known true deprivation. Daily life is mostly comfortable. At the same time, two decades of poor political practice have lowered trust and many citizens have seen how not to run a country. Confidence must be rebuilt, and education must be the foundation. Citizens will not accept the ways of the colonizer as motivation for independence, when their government has not exhibited competence and creativity in making their lives better. They comment out of fear and distrust.

Many citizens do not operate from the same premise as those in the movement and it is a mistake not to acknowledge and respect this. This is not about arguing with the few who will never shift. Some are loyal to the Crown. Some hold racial fears, there are bigots in abundance. Some hold no respect for the people of St. Maarten or our history of enslavement. Some resist change on principle. They exist, and so do their opposites: citizens who know who they are and from wence they came, believe in self-government and want a responsible path. This has to be our center. A pre-occupation with the former, is a disservice to the latter. Many, perhaps most, are persuadable. They want guidance that treats them like adults, in a world with adult realities. Give them facts, costs and timelines grounded in communication.

The movement should launch an island-wide independence literacy program, publish simple and neutral fact sheets, set a draft roadmap with clear milestones, and establish a citizens’ panel to test materials and gather feedback. Bring schools and youth into the loop through civics modules and debates, engage business and labor early, and create a public cost book that lists start-up expenses, savings, and funding sources. Many see independence without such actions as just familiar risk, otherwise known as Separate Status. Be creative with visuals and social media platforms, be modern in approach.  

Finally, Communicate with consistency and respect, including regular myth versus fact posts and avoid using one-liner abrasive slogans and sarcastic, rhetorical questions. Engage patiently and counter effectively.

The vote will come. Many agree it is likely. The strongest, and some might say quickest way to reach it is to improve governance now, while preparing for "countryhood" in parallel with honesty and discipline. Do that to turn a national decision into a national project, and the project will earn a national mandate.

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