Assumptions and Stereotypes (Part 1)
We'll take a brief look at a few of the misguided views about the Plautdietsch Mennonites of these 2 communities but first get this straight: both of these communities have TWO groups of Mennonites living in them, the conservative-minded, traditional Kleine Gemeinde and the non-traditional Mennonites from EMMC (Blue Creek and Spanish Lookout) and other charismatic churches (Spanish Lookout) in other words resembling the "pentecostal" type.
Taxes: while they were exempted from social and military services and given the right to be self-governing, they were not waived other forms of taxation. Sales tax, income tax, etc. are paid by them to the gov, on top of which the member residents of the community still have to pay road tax and various other taxes to their own gov since they are still an autonomous community. So in a sense they are actually paying double tax. How can they afford to be paying all those taxes?
Oh, Mennonites are rich: of course, while many have a higher standard of living than other cultures in Belize, the truth is that the "rich" Mennonites you see today are reaping what their parents and grandparents sowed many years ago: a frugal lifestyle, a united community, united funds, wise financial investments, united agreement on specific forms of taxation. Unity and willingness to venture into the unknown have been 2 driving factors. So the community taxes are not paid because they have cash laying around, but because each resident has been taught from a young age that these taxes are necessary for the survival of the town. (I wish more non-Mennonite Belizeans would be aware of this. But many are unwilling to pay even the minimum due to iresponsible financial management by those in authority, no matter which political party). There are young couples in Spanish Lookout and Blue Creek who are struggling along, barely making it from one paycheck to another. Simply because their standard of living is higher than other cultures does not mean they are rich.
They are stingy:
Speaking from personal experience, I have met, worked with, and know some who would rather lose a finger than raise their worker's wages. I also know a few who would rather let mangoes rot on their yard than give them for free. And that is not an exaggeration. The statement: "Mennonites don't give anything for free" is a commonly held stereotype based on those Plautdietsch Mennonites who still maintain a frugal mindset. However, this is not the time or place to share those experiences I've had.
But those are only a few. I know the majority of Mennonite employers respect their workers and treat them fairly. In fact, some farmers have even given their workers a whole month's salary as a Christmas gift! Some offer a financial aid program, where employees purchase groceries on credit and a certain amount is deducted from their paycheck each time. Others help their employees in saving and investing their money. Trust me, there are Plautdietsch Mennonites with hearts of gold, willing to go the extra mile to help someone for free no matter if it's a friend, worker, or visitor.
What about those people who come from Orange Walk, or Belize City, or St. Matthews, or Benque and walk around with a piece of paper in their hand asking for donations? In this the Mennonites are no different than other people. Some will be sympathetic and offer a few dollars, some will ignore the caller, some will be rude and refuse, some will donate items instead of cash, etc.
They are Racist
There are some Mennonites from SL and BC who actually believe that their lifestyle, elevated status and white skin do make them superior to other cultures around them, including "lesser" Mennonites such as Old Colony from Shipyard. They show a noticeable preference to white-skinned North American and European customers and businessmen. But there also Mennonites, conservative and "worldly" ones, who honestly don't look at your color of skin but treat you on the same level as though you were one of them. Later on I will write a separate article on racism but right now I do not have all my resources complete.
They don't help the villages around them:
Spanish Lookout assists in maintaining and upgrading roads outside of the community. They also provided electricity to 1 or 2 villages at a lower price than what is normally billed to SL residents. Recently though, B.E.L. began providing electricity to a number of villages around the colony. The fire truck, ambulance, and clinic services are available to anyone around the region, Mennonite or not. The fire team had an especially busy month this year. Blue Creek does not have its own fire truck yet but it does have its own ambulance and clinic.
They don't watch TV or use musical instruments:
Go back to the beginning of this article. The non-traditional Mennonites, e.g. EMMC, Amazing Grace, Fusion and so on do indeed use musical instruments. In fact, their churches have spent tens of thousands of dollars in music systems, projectors, cameras, and other high-tech electronic gadgets. Dances and fast music are a part of their worship services.
The Kleine Gemeinde are the ones who do not have music systems, cameras, and projectors. At least, inside the church. Outside the church building they play the violin, harmonica, guitar, own expensive cameras, and even hold their own type of musical concerts where country and classical is played. No fast music.
