Identity and identification

I think Surinamese in general  know who we are as a Nation, as a People , as individuals or as collectives organized in political or other kinds of organizations.
'In general' is the keyword here, because defining our identity is precisely the most valuable  and difficult exercise  for people living in former colonies, such as the Republic of Suriname. After almost four centuries of colonial domination we need to make our identity and identification completely our own, suiting our  own taste  and  according to our own views of ourselves.
The former colonized or enslaved inhabitants of Suriname were deprived of their own identity and lost their land, their family, their name and their right to self determination as a people, as a nation and as individuals.

 Art Moengo Magic 

in Marowijne district

 

The impact of the period of colonial occupation, transatlantic slave-trade and slavery on our awareness as individuals and as collective of individuals in a nation state, has never been more visible than in today's nationwide election campaign. Suriname's national elections on May 25th, 2015 will determine who will represent the people in its 51st National Assembly.
If aliens were to come from outer space and land in Suriname today, their first questions would be;
Is this one nation or are these several nations?
Are these different peoples or is this one people?
Why are these people trying so hard to drag themselves down to the gutter, while they are all in the same boat?
Fortunately the influence of 'aliens' on Surinamese reality is reduced to continued media presence of Surinamese who live in the Netherlands, Europe, expressing their views on what Suriname needs.
The question remains if Western European standards should apply to Suriname's South American/Caribbean reality ?
The identity of a Surinamese inhabitant of African, Indian, Asian or Indigenous descent in the days of colonization, was determined by the racist views of colonizing authorities. They considered non-whites as servants, slaves or cheap laborers, at the service of  white people  who adhered to Judeo-Christian worldviews.

Ronny Brunswijk chairing National Assembly
in Paramaribo

My great-grandmother was born in Suriname in 1860  and became the enslaved child Henriette. Less than three years later she was the child Lidia on july 1st, 1863, when slavery was abolished in Suriname and she became a 'free' citizen with a new name and identity. Just for the record, her great-grandchild Martha was born in the colony Suriname  in 1953, as a Dutch citizen at the time of  Suriname's colonial domination by the Netherlands. Martha was considered an illegal immigrant in the Netherlands in 1995 on the basis of modern foreigner policies towards Surinamese citizens in the Netherlands. The Surinamese identity of two of Martha's children  was changed into  that of  'illegal' immigrants by the Netherlands. Two of Martha's younger Surinamese children  could not stay with their elder sister who had a Dutch passport. Martha and her eldest daughter were separated on the basis of Dutch identification of  'aliens' from the former colony Suriname,  a colony which the Netherlands exploited for over three centuries.  This example illustrates how the  aftermath of colonial and post-colonial relations between Suriname and the Netherlands  still influences how Surinamese men, women and children experience  identity and identification in the 21st century.

River side bar at Atjoni in Brokopo district

The political coalition which is calling on voters to join  them on the basis of anti-propaganda and mudslinging towards the incumbent government, appeals to voters who want a return to the 'good old days' when colonialism  and a western vision of governance ruled the waves in Suriname. The most striking characteristic of the 'old politics' approach, is the racial aspect of their campaign and the appeal to voters to trust their party leadership unconditionally. In fact today's politicians of the largest political combination of parties are trying to  revive the days when the people were asked to follow and trust unconditionally. Various politicians climb on election campaign platforms to accuse, vilify, and smear the reputation or political achievements of their opponents, debunking all that was done by their opponents and describing them in the most negative manner. What does this say about Surinamese politicians ? It  sounds like a repetition of what we were  taught  about ourselves in colonial days, when we were told that we are worthless, despicable and incapable of anything good.

Government Ministers in National Assembly

The political identity of Suriname's voters is expressed by colors of their party flags, racial affiliations and support for political party programs. Society is still divided on the basis of  those who belong  to either the political or ruling, mostly white- ,asian or colored elites  or  to the majority of  poor or less fortunate  Indigenous, African,  Asian , Hindu and Creole inhabitants.
The importance of  surinamese identity grows drastically when the time to vote has arrived and identification as legal voter becomes crucial for the ruling elites in their various political configurations.
The chance to gain political power not only depends on the trustworthiness of the government which organizes elections, but more so on authorized legal voters who actually come to the ballot box and vote.

Senior Surinamese citizen in Saramacca district

There is a double standard in place for Surinamese  with voting power and the 'alien' Surinamese who may rule the media waves via internet, but do not have the right to vote to effectively determine the outcome  on election day.  The Surinamese identity and the voter identification are discussed in every corner of the nation, during meetings in the capital, towns and villages, in offices and homes. government and party officials will man election poll stations to ensure free and fair elections. Surinamese democracy is alive and kicking in the 21st century and the Surinamese population of 500.000 people succeeds in having peaceful elections. Incumbent president Bouterse and his political and governing body are  accused of corruption, racism and dictatorship by his opponents but the voters who go to the ballot box during free and fair elections  on May 25th, 2015 will determine the fate of his government and party.

Surinamese youth celebrating independence day

The young  generation of Surinamese  voters was raised on the basis of post 1980 revolutionary  ideas of self determination and self respect as a nation with a Caribbean/Latin American focus. This new generation of  young Surinamese no longer feels they need approval of Western Europe for their plans and policies.

Totness in Coronie district

The next generation of politicians has developed new ideas and defines Surinamese identity as part of the Caribbean. Young Surinamese are identifying Suriname as a Caribbean/Latin American nation and

claim their right to choose a Surinamese government on the basis of democratic principles. The next generation of voters and the new policy impact will determine how Suriname sees itself and identifies itself after coming elections on May 25th, 2015.

Suriname river  Bakaa Boto rapids

Surinamese politics are on the cross roads and a new identity and a new identification will be the result of the May 2015 elections.