Revolt and Dissent; May 30, 2024
May 17, 2024
In two weeks, we will once again commemorate the May 30, 1969 uprising in Curaçao, when the downtown area was engulfed in flames. A widespread sense of injustice drove this event. Following the chaos, much debris had to be cleared, and rebuilding was necessary. Changes ensued: the minimum wage was increased, and Afro-Curaçaoans gained more career opportunities. More people were given the chance to pursue scholarships. Since then, threats of another "May 30" have been frequent, particularly from labor unions.
This week, I had a conversation with a friend who is deeply interested in emotional development and mental health. Coincidentally, at that moment, there was a parliamentary meeting with all school boards discussing mental health in schools, especially focusing on students. Many students have been struggling with psychological issues, particularly after the pandemic, and school organizations are overwhelmed. To give an idea, the number of suicides is notably higher compared to the past. Poverty also appears to be a contributing factor.
My friend informed me that, according to his sources, a foundation offering help to people with psychological problems has recently seen a dramatic increase of 5,000 clients, yet its already limited funding has not increased. I hear more people saying that we are living on a ticking time bomb. There is a growing sentiment that this public discontent could manifest unpredictably at any moment. My friend is not the type to make dramatic statements, and neither am I.
I don't have the answers. I've heard this for fifty years, and the Netherlands often serves as a pressure release; people leave for the Netherlands when they can't make it here anymore. However, we are also witnessing similar processes internationally, so we are forewarned. The solution lies in providing more support to those in need.
Miguel Goede
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