Publication: Obama`s Impact on the Surinam community
Tuesday 20 January 2009 - My associate and Managing Partner of Landgoed Groot Mariënbosch in Surinam, drs. Marije van Zomeren, our Surinam associate and strategic partner mr. Marcel Persad BBA and I witnessed Obama`s inauguration in the big -very crowded- `Congreshal`, the socalled `Glazen Huis` in Paramaribo. This CNN live broadcast was presented on five big screens.
Why is this occasion and location so special for the Surinam people ?
There are several reasons for this; e.g.:
- the majority of Surinam people has also African roots
- the Surinams warmly welcome Obama as the very first black (44th) USA-President
- In 1863 slavery was abolished in Surinam (`Onafhankelijkheidsplein`)
- the `Glazen Huis` stands for transparancy within the New Surinam
- Obama -as a black and free elected president- committed himself
- he committed himself to liberty, equality and fraternity
- the Surinam people already choose for harmony;
- they stand for harmony between races, ethnic backgrounds and religions, so:
- the Surinam people can understand Obama, based on`eenheid in verscheidenheid`
- probably Surinam people understand Obama better than other people in this world
- Capitol Hill was built by black slaves, many years ago
- Obama encouraged people to work hard to overcome the present crisis
- he motivated people to increase their self-esteem and self-reliance (New Surinam!)
I have never been and will never be in politics, I once promised myself
But this inauguration was impressive in particular because, surrounded by so many enthousiastic Surinams of so many ages, races, ethnic backgrounds and religion, I felt myself a witness of the turning point to a new era...in a very stimulating and spiritual environment.
Sail to "Photography" to see some pictures Marije and I made today.
Marije and I are working very hard, based on the 7 P`s: people, planet, profit, principles, passion, pleasure & priority, on Landgoed Groot Mariënbosch to realise our mutual dreams like we did before in other countries in the world. We both had and have a dream...even more dreams...
Lets hope that the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Barack Houssein Obama will be realised as well...