One Flag, Many Stories: What It Truly Means to Be a St. Maartener

There is an unspoken pressure in our society to fit a mold, to look a certain way, sound a certain way, or trace one’s lineage back a certain number of generations in order to be considered a “true” St. Maartener. But if we are honest with ourselves, that idea has never reflected who we really are.

There is no single face, no single surname, no single story that defines a St. Maartener.

Not everybody looks the same. Not everybody comes from the same place. Not everybody speaks the same language at home or worships in the same way. And not everybody’s journey to belonging followed the same path. Yet, all of us, each in our own right, are St. Maarteners.

Whether you were born here or born to be here.

Whether you are first, second, third, fourth, or fifth generation.

Whether your parents were born on St. Maarten, or whether you alone first opened your eyes on this soil.

You are a St. Maartener.

As we open this year, 2026 and onward, it is important that we remind ourselves of this truth. St. Maarten’s uniqueness, our very identity, is deeply woven into the fabric of our multi-ethnic and multicultural reality. This is not a weakness to be debated or defended. It is our greatest strength. It is what has shaped our resilience, our creativity, and our ability to adapt in a world that is constantly changing.

St. Maarten is a meeting place of histories, cultures, languages, and dreams. It is a place where people came, by choice, by chance, by circumstance, and decided to build a life. Over time, those lives intertwined, forming something distinctly St. Maarten, not imported, not borrowed, but grown right here.

Our young people, our students, stand at the heart of this reality. They represent the hope and promise of a better St. Maarten, but they also reflect who we already are. In their classrooms, on our playgrounds, and within their friendships, we see the full diversity of St. Maarten expressed naturally and unapologetically. They show us, often without words, that difference does not divide. It strengthens. They remind us that all of us, collectively, represent St. Maarten.

And oh, what a great day it is when we can hold hands, free of bias, free of injustice, free of any bounds that prevent us from truly unifying as one people. That is the promise of tomorrow. That is the hope we carry forward. And it is our next generation that will lead us there. When we speak of national pride, it must be broad enough to include everyone who contributes to this country’s story. From aviation to sports, from education to entrepreneurship, from culture to public service, St. Maarten’s progress has been shaped by many hands, many backgrounds, and many perspectives. Every stride forward matters. Every contribution counts.

Recognition should not be selective. Patriotism should not be conditional.

To truly love this country is to see ourselves in one another, even when our experiences differ. It is to understand that belonging is not measured by purity of origin, but by commitment to community. It is to celebrate not just where we come from, but what we build together.

As we step boldly into 2026, let this be our shared resolution, to choose unity over division, justice over prejudice, hope over fear, and purpose over complacency. Let us walk forward together, hand in hand, lifting one another as we lift our nation.

May this New Year renew our spirit, strengthen our bond as a people, and remind us that the future of St. Maarten is bright because it belongs to all of us.

Happy New Year, St. Maarten. Stand tall. Stand proud. The best of our story is still being written.

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