Life on the ground This is a common catch phrase that my brothers and sisters are using to suggest that diasporans are not aware of whats going on in Belize. It stipulates that Belizeans abroad doesnt understand the struggle. We are out of touch and not aligned with the reality on the streets. It clearly argues the point that Belizean living outside the motherland doesnt comprehend what Belizean at home needs or wants. It underlines the point that we are on the outside looking in. The statement goes something such as “you dont understand life on the ground” or “the battle is on the ground” While myself among others have stated before that it would be best to have boots on the grounds to fight for our country and our rights as citizens of Belize, it doesnt mean that Belizeans in the diaspora doesnt understand the realities of whats happening on the ground. One doesnt need to be a rocket scientist or fortune teller to decipher life on the ground. My brothers and sisters are looking for their next dollar trying to live another day. Life on the ground is waking up hungry with nothing to eat, life on the ground is trying to buy bread and milk to feed their kids. Life on the ground for many Belizeans is, no marketable skills and no job experience, looking for a way out of their nightmare. Life on the ground is Belizeans looking for ways to educate themselves to become employable and provide for their families. Life on the grounds for most Belizeans is trying to find a piece of land through their government area representative or their hookup. Life on the ground is hoping they can find the funds to build a house after they spend thousands to fill the land/swamp. Life on the ground is trying to find some sort of safe area for their families to build a future and hope the kids gets a better opportunity. Life on the ground is waiting for that check from uncle Bill or aunty Loraine in America. Life on the ground is getting past the London bridges first thing in the morning and last thing at night. Life on the ground is realizing that you are in a revolving door of despair with no apparent exit. Life on the ground is the fact that hope, peace and joy are missing in action. Life on the ground is getting sick and dread going to the hospital because you lack insurance or you cant pay. Life on the ground is visiting the doctor for a small medical procedure and end up dead. Life on the ground is being so unattached and desperate that you sell your vote for eleven pennies per day over a five year period. Life on the ground is fierce and unforgiving for the poor majority. Life on the ground is not having any systems in place to facilitate personal growth. No funds to start a small business or training to start one. Thats a small part of life on the ground for poor Belizeans. Life on the ground for the status quo is building a new addition to the Mansion with a longer pool, a nice beachside condo down south. Life on the ground for the one percent is living on the fence and working whichever side is greener. PUP today UDP tomorrow, it doesnt matter because the one percent always win. The one percent are bigger than politicians, they make politicians. Politicians come and Politicians go but the one percent remain. Thats life on the ground. Life on the ground for the one percent, is a trip to Miami, Houston, NY or LA for the weekend, holidays, for shopping or lunch break. Life on the ground for the one percent is sweet as candy, a new deal here, a contract there, its all good for the one percent. Thats life on the ground. Brothers and sisters in the diaspora knows whats going on the ground, because we lived it. Its because of whats happening on the ground that most left. Life on the ground for the one percent is to have Belizeans with dual citizenship and others return home and invest in the country and build infrastructure and industries and create jobs. The one percent wants diasporans to spend and invest their hard earned social security, pension, retirement, savings, annuities and investment portfolio. The diasporans wouldnt have to renounce their citizenship for that because we all brothers and sisters. If diasporans decided to engage the political arena, and run for office however, then their dual citizenship and allegiance would be questioned, regardless of being brother and sisters. Basically it boils down to, spend your money and your good to go, but try to spend our money and we dont trust you. Thats the one percent, thats whats happening on the ground. We trust you when you spending your money but we dont trust you when you trying to spend ours. Life on the ground in Belize is we have a upper class and lower class, but no middle class. Life on the ground is an economic divide between the haves and have not with no reversal in sight. Thats life on the ground. This is one Belizean that doesnt even believe that government is the solution to the problem. Government should be a facilitators but not the solution to the problem. The solution to the problem is the people. The people must stand up with Belizeans everywhere, dual citizenship or otherwise and organize into a formidable force. Unite the various fragmented organizations under one umbrella entity. Life on the ground is Belizeans taking note of the abundance of brain power and expertise in the diaspora, and not forget we are all real brothers and sisters. It is obvious that many of these intellectuals, doctors, nurses, teachers, bankers, business professional, professors, educators and much more are ready to serve in different capacity. These professionals are ready for life on the ground. They are trained and battle harden for life on the ground. They come with varied skill-sets and can lead or be a part of the fight on the ground to take Belize where it needs to be. The people must consider some of these candidates that has their best interest at the forefront and make them accountable by staying engage. Life on the ground cant be about politics as usual, or a party, it has to be about people. That is life on the ground. Life on the ground is different for different people.
Posted on: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 06:57:54 +0000
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