Belizean Studies back from hiatus
It was the nation’s leading scholarly journal during a period when educated people actually engaged in serious reading instead of watching TV. News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams was on hand for the publication’s long awaited comeback.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
The first issue of Belizean Studies–after a six year hiatus–was launched this morning at the St. John’s College Weber Hall. Dedicated to social research and thought, intended to provoke political and historical discussion, this reincarnated publication consists of nine articles having to do with the Guatemalan claim to Belize.
According to co-editor Herman Byrd, former Ambassador to the U.S. James Murphy, wrote on “Belize at Two: Keeping it’s Appointments with History.”
Herman Byrd, Co-Editor, Belizean Studies
“What he does there is zero in on the landmark 1859 treaty and really presents the case, which is the Belize case, that this is a boundary treaty and not a treaty of land cessation, and it still stands a hundred and forty-six years later. And that’s a classic piece that you can use for many purposes by itself.”
Chairpersons of the Belizean Studies Committee, Lita Krohn, points out that the book has served many purposes, both inside and out of the classroom.
Lita Krohn, Chairperson, Belizean Studies Committee
“Between 1973 and 1995, twenty-two years and twenty-two volumes. The heart of the matter of Belizean Studies, was that we were learning about ourselves for the first time. We were learning about ourselves from people that were ourselves and a few other researchers; and this was very exciting. I know that it made a lot of difference to me, teaching and it made a lot of difference to me in my search for my identity, to have Belizeans Studies and to start learning about: Anansi stories, old fashion Belizean Christmases, slave trials, Garifuna thanksgiving, the Dugu.”
Angie Moody, Teacher, S.J.C.
“it is especially designed for students at the upper levels of high school, and teachers in the lower levels who can use it as a supplementary text, as it offers comprehensive and up to date facts on the issue. Belizean Studies equips our people with facts, statistics, maps selected biography and points of view from the historians, experts, critics and facilitators who have participated in the negotiation process.”
Copies of Belizean Studies Volume 23 can be bought at S.J.C. at fifteen dollars. Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
Belizean Studies Volume 23 is a double issue. Look for subsequent publications to be released twice per year.
