Year: 2012

Confronting the bullying tactics by: Aria Lightfoot

/ Twocanview LLC / 3 Comments

The fact that the [ woman ]emerges a formidable character is often met with amazement, distaste and even belligerence….

Maya Angelou

Recently, an independent Belizean went after me in a forum demanding that I show him and several people respect.  His accusations of me  being disrespectful and obnoxious went on unabated for about 100 comments.  Most of the commentators who  joined in the onslaught of insults are self professed members of the opposition. One fellow journalist went as far as accuse me of having a chip on my shoulder.  When I asked  to quote me instances of where I was disrespectful, he directed me to go read my comments. It is a similar tactic I have seen him use on someone else in the past.  He makes an assertion, repeats it over and over, offers no proof and waits for the choir to join the song. In fact, I reviewed my comments and I said “The Lord is a parasite”. After making that comment, I was verbally attacked and lectured on how disrespectful I was. I wonder if I offended him or the Lord so much by making such a comment that he was forced to take me on in such a manner?    He could not even quote one instance where any disrespect was shown.  So now I am forced to evaluate what was disrespectful in my comments and why he was so offended that he turned an entire forum about the Budget of Belize being delayed into an evaluation of Aria Lightfoot.

I am outspoken, I speak my mind and I will challenge people’s ideas. I am adamant in my position, but ultimately so is everyone commenting.  The one thing I never resort to is name calling. If calling someone who has professed being a member of a certain party, a member of that party, name calling, for that I am guilty but otherwise, I am yet to be shown proof of such. I suspect my Belizean friend is usually good at shutting up people when he is offended but cannot exert such control over me.

If calling out instances of corruption; if holding professionals to a higher standard;  if demanding people wake up and start demanding their rights;  if pointing out parasitic investors who feed off our society;  if asking politicians to follow laws; if demanding bar members become active in our legal society; if asking journalist to ask tougher question and present better information; if pointing out discrimination; if asking for civility in the way we deal with each other and asking tough questions is being disrespectful…then I am guilty as charged.  I do not have a history of  name calling or being  abusive or even bullying anyone…Can you say the same?  I can only be responsible for what I say and not what you understand.

Daily Dingleberry 04-14-12 Would the real Belizean please stand up?

/ Twocanview LLC / 4 Comments

Something very perturbing is starting to happen. I suspect it was always an undercurrent but now it is coming to the surface. Belizeans who live in Belize are accusing Belizeans who live outside of not being real Belizeans.

Let’s get this straight. According the laws of Belize and everywhere else, uhm, we are Belizeans, no matter what you say or think. Watch us get deported. We come home to Belize. We cause gang wars and violence.

The next annoying thing is: There are over 160,000 of us spread allllll over the world and more than likely we are contributing to the greatest industry we got in Belize: Western Union. AND DONT START WITH IT’S ONLY BETWEEN US AND WHO WE SEND MONEY TO. That is naive. We send money cause the economy sux. There are no jobs and our families need to eat. Imagine if we didn’t send packages and money. Belize would be run over with the homeless and starving children and quite a few dead people too cause we send money to pay medical bills.

WE ARE RELEVANT. WE INFLUENCE YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE. SO SHOW US SOME RESPECT.

We’re out here developing expertise in many areas and many of us would love to return home but to what? And then what will you do without our money funneling in???? Think!

We contribute in soooo many ways….the construction industry bc we send money to  build our homes; the tourist industry cause we come home and eat in your restaurants and rent your cars and stay in your hotels, never mind the friends we send and bring to visit; the business sector bc we send goods to sell or we send money so our family can buy goods; education because we send school fees and supplies; medical services because we send money to pay for hospital stays and medicines….I think you get the picture.

Athletes, artists, doctors, soldiers, you name it, are trained around the world, representing Belize with NO recognition. Sometimes you wanna just say &^%$ y’all! But we don’t. We keep trying, despite your vitriol and attempts to alienate and discriminate.

 

Daily Dingleberry 04-13-12 Women vs Men

/ Twocanview LLC

Look how well that fits 🙂

There is a presumption many make about women: we don’t get along but men do. Women don’t like each other; all we do is gossip and fight and compete agaist each other instead of working with each other. Men don’t hold grudges; they aren’t emotional so make better teams; they get ish done (rolling my eyes on this one: sorry guys, but you rule the world and yeah….’nuff said).

I disagree. I think that the relationships are different in nature which leads to particular challenges. What do I mean? Men appear to get along because they keep it superficial. Can you imagine a conversation that goes: “And how did it make you feel when the boss touched your ass?” Not gonna happen.

So women and their relationships are under a lot more stressors than their male counterparts which may seem compromise productivity at times. For a brief history read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Women’s_rights   So, evolutionarily speaking, perhaps this is exactly the kind of dissonance and discord which needs to take place in order to strengthen our understanding of each other so that we can develop better resolution of problems facing our society: domestic violence, equal pay etc.

What does this mean in the world of politics? A LOT. If men are unwilling to delve into the effects certain issues have on the quality of life of women and children, these issues get pushed into the background and are ignored. It is proven that societies in which women enjoy greater independence, access to education, representation in court etc are stronger economically.

It would seem then, instead of seeing things in a negative light, let’s learn from each other to find an optimum level of respect, understanding and good intentions so that we can all contribute to the growth of our society. Don’t blame women. Don’t blame men. We are the victims of our history BUT we are in control of our future so be grown and act accordingly.

Daily Dingleberry 04-12-12 I Loves Me Some Happy People

/ Twocanview LLC

I’m not quite sure how or why or when it became okay to hate our fellow human beings just for being. Maybe it has always been that way as we competed for food, land, women. At the same time, haven’t we learned that it doesn’t work when we fight amongst ourselves?

I love Native American philosophy. They believed that if the creator made something/someone the way they are, who are they to question it. It sounds similar to Christian teaching doesn’t it? So why are we having a problem with homosexuals? Why do we act exactly in opposition of the our Christian beliefs? Why do we marginalize and discriminate and even hate our fellow man/woman?

In Native American society, gays were not treated any differently. It was a non-issue. Some married and had families. Some didn’t.  It was a simple matter of how one wished to contribute/exist as part of their tribe.

What infuriates me to no end, is that despite given facts to the contrary, people continue to insist that people choose to be this way and as such, can choose to be heterosexual if they want. All they need is a little bible thumpin’ and some river dunkin’ and viola! he/she will be saved and converted. Blech. Why the hell do you care?

Everything exists on a continuum: intelligence, wealth, mental health, you name it, so why is hard to believe that sexual orientation isn’t?

I just despair at the thought that so much of our resources and energies is being used to create an issue where there already exist many that could be given as much fervor to a much better end: child hunger, domestic violence, debilitating disease, drugs, gang violence…the list is inexhaustive.

Lemme hear you fight FOR something that our children can be proud of: better education, safer streets, safer homes, strong economy.

Daily Dingleberry 04-11-12 Is You Big Enough?

/ Twocanview LLC

So many of us are quick to criticise and rail up about everything under the sun…blame, blame, blame…shame, shame, shame. What if you find out that your impressions were wrong? What if you find out your facts weren’t facts but just twisted conjecture spouted by manipulative naysayers whose only intent is to sabotage? Would you own up and apologize? Would you proclaim your faulty conclusions? Would you be big enough to give credit where credit is due or would you just duck and hide…perpetuating a lie because of your pride?

Think on it lovers….your children are watching….nothing wrong with being wrong…everything wrong with not admitting it and fixing it.

Don't make her come after you!

Benjamin Nicholas RIP

/ Twocanview LLC

Portrait by his son, Isiah Nicholas

We regretfully announce the death of one of my favourite artists, Mr. Benjamin Nicholas. Mr. Ben lived down the street from me, I was on Mahogany; he was on Howard. I remember hollering outside his house when my father would bring me along to visit him and his family. I just saw my favourite paintings of his still hanging at the Pelican Beach Resort as they always have since I was a child.

Aye. We extend our condolences to his family and may they find comfort in knowing that he was well loved by all who knew him.

Daily Dingleberry 04-10-12 Be a Bee and Build Your Hive; Stop Buzzin Around :)

/ Twocanview LLC

What are you into? kids? crime? education? cancer? Find people who care about the issues you do and DO something please? Not only is it a more productive way to use your energies but you can be a part of the solution to issues which affect you and your family. By being intimately involved, you will be surprised to see how hard getting things done is and maybe, just maybe, you can come to an understanding of what your community leaders have to put up with. With understanding comes patience and tolerance and eventually, progress.

Do you trust experts? By: Aria Lightfoot

/ Twocanview LLC / 1 Comment

Lately I have been getting into trouble with several people on discussion boards. I start-out thinking it is a logical, fact-based discussion. I try to use scientific information and studies and findings based on other people’s research or personal knowledge based on my own study. Before the discussion is over, it moves from discussing an issue to a personal attack, name calling analysis of my “immovable position”.  People seem to become offended when I question their information and logic. In a discussion, I expect more than feelings and inclinations. In a discussion, I will ask about facts and dispute information or simply point out the flaw in people’s argument.  However, when it deteriorates into the personal realm, I retreat, as I realize there is nothing more to discuss.

I was having a conversation last week with someone who said that Belizeans do not accept studies and information when it is presented to them from a fellow Belizean; however, if a foreigner would present the same information, they would be more open to it and more willing to accept it. I am inclined to believe such is true.  Prior to elections, Belizeans saw an onslaught of overnight “expert” pollsters who were actively conducting unscientific polls.  When I offered my opinion, or asked for scientific data to make a determination, it became a source of contention for some people.  I think that Belizeans are not fact loving people.  Many people argue points clouded with feelings and emotions, even if good scientific research suggests otherwise. Belizeans dismiss good scientific or expert information as biased, agenda based, unreliable or just unacceptable because it offends their belief system. Instead of examining their own failed logic, they dismiss experts in the field of study and conclude the study is faulty with no supporting evidence.  I have seen people dispute information based on the heading of an article without actually reading the article.  However, if you dare question positions and information source;  and if the person is unable to defend their position, they will attack you as a trouble maker and assert personality defects as opposed to addressing the said subject.  It is a phenomenon I have been noticing in many discussion forums.

The information age created a crisis for Libraries everywhere.  Suddenly people were no longer conducting research using libraries and as such the information superhighway initially caused libraries to close and book stores to close.  Now guess what? Libraries are now making a comeback as the information superhighway is now a cesspool of bad, confusing, and misleading information; creating a generation of pseudo experts reinforced by Wikipedia. This is the age of information and with so much information out there, people are unable to filter out the good from the bad information. As a result, people begin accepting information that supports their position regardless of source or credibility. Imagine spending thousands of dollars to study a subject, to have someone Google search a topic and use Wikipedia to dispute information.

Wikipedia can be a good source to help start a search for information, but it is NOT a reliable information source and just about any Tom, Dick or Harry can update Wikipedia.  Case in point, last week I was having a discussion with someone who decided to weigh in on the Trayvon Martin case and update Wikipedia. At no point did the person ever review the basic 911 tapes to form an opinion. His entire opinion was based on opinion pieces that he read from other people, rendering his opinion useless in the matter. However, he updated Wikipedia and many people are likely using his opinions as fact. When searching the internet, there is plethora of opinion based, biased based and non-scientific based information available through Google, Bing or any search engine.  When searching a subject, the results will not tell you whether you are getting back reliable information, it is merely giving you back information based on words you put in your search.

Belize has a wealth of intelligent people, but as Belizeans we need to learn to respect people’s expertise. We as Belizeans need to understand that someone who is an attorney, doctor, engineer, Ph.D. and Master’s degree holders are not experts in every subject; however, they are experts in their fields of studies.  An attorney with a LLB or JD should have the basic understanding of the laws of the country or state they studied in; a doctor is an expert in medicine etc.  We need to start appreciating that people who study for years to gain degrees, knowledge cannot be undone by one internet search.  And we need to learn to disagree without becoming disagreeable or personal.  Just because someone is an expert doesn’t mean that they are always right.  However, when disputing information, use reliable information to support your argument. Which brings be to my next point.  We don’t know to effectively argue in Belize.

We engage in debates to get our points across without appreciation for the other side point of view.   When our points are failing, we act offended, reduce the argument to derogatory and personal comments.  We refuse to examine our weakness in our argument, instead it is just easier to be rude and disparaging with our comments yet we sit and speculate why young people cannot work out their differences!  Our society is a reflection of us!  We are petty people!  Yes I said it!

We seem to be at a stalemate in our development in Belize. Never before have we had so many experts and yet it seems that maybe jealously, immaturity, pettiness, and negativity have hampered our growth.   We need to read some more, we need to spend time researching information, open our minds to experts in the field, accept we don’t know it all, respect differences and encourage healthy debate.  We need to grow up Belizeans and get over the tender egos that inflict us.

Finally, my last advice is that politicians are never a good source of information; like Wikipedia, you should use the information as a start and not as a conclusion to form an opinion.  My hope is that Belizeans can behave with civility and decorum in discussing our future, because we are creating the framework for our children and right now, the future is not looking good when adults are still behaving like a bunch of bickering, temper tantrum throwing 5 year olds!

Daily Dingleberry 04-05-12 Fingle Your Dingle

/ Twocanview LLC / 2 Comments

Me na feel like be vex tudeh…dah Holy Thursday. Ah membah back home, shop open till half day and den da he dat! Gawn da caye!!!! For me it was South Water Caye, CocoPlum or Tobacco. Some Easters fell on either my brother Henry’s birthday or on Teres’ so more than once we had salty chocolate cake because my mom would make it in Dangriga but rough weather would bounce it all over the place and spray it with salt water 🙂

Now tell di truth and shame di devil: how much a uno nevah jus love go da caye cause it was the ONLY time you could disappear from the prying eyes of your parents?! And teachers?! That could mean that you end up kissing a cousin or two, or wait, was that just me? LOL

Favourite memory seriously? Waking up at 4:00 am to go fishing when the moon was low and the tide was swinging :0 BREAKFAST! One time I caught an eel. O Lord! That was scary!

I wish I could be rollin up my foam and packing my clothes and hiding my doritos and cheese balls from my brothers, today 🙂 Yes people. Down south, we dont gats no shop da caye.

Love what you have and love those who put up with yo miserable ass!