Garifuna Activist Dr. Theodore Aranda Lashes Out at FCIB

Theodore Aranda

Earlier today, CIBC First Caribbean issued a statement in which it says that the use of official language is encouraged within the working environment as a courtesy to all its customers and employees, particularly for conversations that are held in earshot of other ethnicities.  We do note however, that while English is Belize’s national language, Creole and Spanish are also spoken colloquially within the professional setting.  According to Doctor Aranda, the prohibition of Garifuna, in this instance, is a violation of the Constitution of Belize, as well as the employee‘s human rights.

Dr. Theodore Aranda, Dangriga Resident

“The Constitution of Belize embodies and supports the maintenance of the culture, the identity, language of the people.  It is embedded in our constitution so First Caribbean Bank has absolutely no right to violate the laws of Belize or violate the Constitution of Belize because that’s exactly what they are violating by firing somebody who says hello to her customers, something that they should encourage but rather they are trying to destroy.  They are in violation of the constitution of this land.  Secondly, because of the constitution of this land, the laws of this land prohibits totally the discrimination or the crushing of these factors that make up the culture of the people.  So what we are saying to the First Caribbean Bank now is you either shape up, stop this nonsense or else you are going to have a battle with us right through.  Now, the young lady whom they are attacking, whose rights they are violating has tendered a resignation.  The first thing that we want to say to that young lady is it’s no longer her fight.  She should not tender her resignation, the bank must reject that resignation if and when it gets to them because by accepting the resignation they are indeed strengthening and emboldening the fact and indeed executing the fact that they are discriminating against her and that she is to accept the discrimination.  The answer to that is no!  They must reject that resignation by the young lady and instead of punishing her, instead of destroying her like that, elevate her to a higher position because she is elevating the quality and the competence of the bank.”

CIBC First Caribbean says it has not suspended any employee for the use of Gariifuna in one of its branches.  Again, we do note that the allegation being made is that the employee has submitted a letter of resignation in the wake of a meeting with bank officials.  Earlier today, the United Garifuna Association Incorporated, an organization in the diaspora, also issued a release condemning the actions of CIBC First Caribbean.