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Home Social Issues G. Michael Reid has the last word on deported criminals.
Jan 16, 1998
G. Michael Reid has the last word on deported criminals.
Story Picture
He spent almost twenty years in the States so hes no stranger to the subject of Belizeans in America. Or, more precisely,
Belizeans coming home from America.
On October 30th, 1961, just one day before the close of the hurricane season, Hattie slammed into Belize, a tempestuous rage.
Absorbing the heft of the hit was Belize City and Dangriga, with over eighty percent of all homes in those two localities either
destroyed or severely damaged and with two hundred forty-two lives being lost. Although this number of dead was relatively
small compared to the two and a half thousand who lost their lives in the unnamed storm of 1931, the fact is that when all
things are considered, the actual death toll from Hattie might have long surpassed 31s figure and can be considered in fact, to
be still climbing.
As traumatic an experience as 1931s disaster must have been, our forbearers stayed with the ship and putting their noses to
the grindstone had her back in sailing condition long before Hattie once again, left us split upon a rock.
After Hattie however, and in fact no sooner had the green flag been raised over courthouse, than two flights a day even,
werent enough to sustain the flow of ex-patriots scurrying to leave the bay. Seems that two such storms in a single century was
as much as some could bear. Those who couldnt get visas, boarded the underground railroad and journeyed through the
perilous hills of Mexico to enter via the back door. With most of the emigrants being black or kriol, and most having a fair
command of the English language, we blended rather easily into America?s colored grain and hereafter would begin the epic
saga of the so-called Belizean-Americans.
Many of those who left had already started families in Belize, but with the need to travel lightly, children had to be left behind
with grandparents, relatives or even friends. This in itself would have been enough to create social disorganization, but when
we look at the entire picture, it has proven to be in fact, just the tip of a much bigger iceberg.
The majority who reached this land of new opportunity, settled into the big urban cities of Chicago, Los Angeles and New York
and once in their new surroundings, were able to get jobs and before long, barrels, boxes and American eagles were flying in
with regularity. Many families hitherto improvised, experienced a considerable rise in their standard of living and in that
respect, the exodus paid off handsomely. Whether or not however, the benefits have been enough to offset the encumbrance is
a question that we might yet have to answer.
As soon as they were able to, many parents who reached the states started sending back for their children. It is here that we
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must note, that the environment that greeted these children, was a far cry from the credulous, simplistic lifestyle that they were
used to. This was America where one out of every three children between the ages of twelve and seventeen stands a chance of
being raped, robbed or mugged and one out of every twenty-eight males in the black neighborhoods where most settled is likely
to be murdered. A few adjusted well and today, many live comfortably and firmly imbedded in the mainstream of the American
culture, but for many however, the culture shock was just too intense. As we look around today, we see many victims to this
circumstance. We see them on drugs, in jail or just walking around in a daze. Most if not all serious crimes committed in Belize
today, especially those where guns are used and people are killed, are done so by offenders who have been exposed to
America?s nefarious side and it might not be too outlandish then, to add such deaths to the toll caused by Hattie.
Many of these delinquents who have introduced into our society these ills that we endure are in fact, more American that
Belizean and have lived most of their lives in the dolorous streets of Harlem, South Central L.A. or the south side of Chicago.
By right then, I believe it is America who should establish some sort of rehabilitation program for these wayward degenerates
before dumping them on us, but if she doesnt then we will certainly have to. With America?s new tough immigration laws,
legal status or not, if convicted of a crime, its sayonara. The New York press reported a few weeks ago, a story of Belizean
gangs being busted on the streets of Harlem. They will be tried, and if convicted will do their time after which they will be
returning to Belize. Many of the same parents who had struggled and sacrificed so hard to get them there will not be sad to see
them leave, but unless Belizeans formulate a plan to deal with the situation, we might all be made sad, once they arrive. Some
have suggested the army and that might not be a bad idea, for a couple years of discipline, might be all that some of these guys
need to put their lives on a positive track. One thing is for sure, if we are to maintain some sort of peaceful existence, we
cannot allow dissenting forces to take control of our communities.
With the Last Word, G. Michael Reid.
The opinions expressed on the Last Word are those of G. Michael Reid and not necessarily those of Channel Five. Viewer
comments are welcome.
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Viewers please note: This Internet newscast is a verbatim transcript of our evening television newscast. Where speakers
use Kriol, we attempt to faithfully reproduce the quotes using a standard spelling system.
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G. Michael Reid has the last word on deported criminals.

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