Thomas Vincent Ramos
Encyclopedia
Thomas Vincent Ramos was a Belize
an civil rights activist who promoted the interests of his Garifuna people, and is now considered a national hero.
, on September 17, 1887 and was educated at Wesleyan Methodist primary schools in Stann Creek Town
(now Dangriga) and Belize City. He took correspondence courses in business administration, public speaking, journalism and accountancy. Ramos married Elisa Marian Fuentes in 1914. He moved permanently to Dangriga in 1923 but did not formally become a British
subject until one year before his death in 1955.
and Honduras
.
The purpose of the Carib Development Society was to help the sick and to assist those who need financial assistance to bury their dead. The society owns 800 acres (3.2 km²) of land that was called the Carib Reserve at Sarawee in the Stann Creek
valley.
He lobbied successfully for the colonial authorities to provide native Garifuna nurses in the local hospital.
Ramos was a Methodist, a preacher, and wrote several Garifuna hymns. Some of them are sung each year at his memorial.
T.V. Ramos was a contemporary of Marcus Garvey
, and was involved in Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association. He fought discrimination against Garifuna people, including all Afro-Belizeans. He was founder of the Independent Manhood and Exodus Uplift Society and the Colonial Industrial Instruction Association.
He was a prolific contributor to the newspapers. For example, writing in the Belize Independent on 21 January 1942 Ramos complained of the brutality of some Wesleyan School teachers towards their students, and the immorality of some of the female pupil teachers.
In 1940, as leader and spokesman of the Garifuna people along with Pantaleon Hernandez and Domingo Ventura he approached the Governor of the colony and asked for establishment of a Public and Bank Holiday to observe the Garifuna arrival in Belize. The request was granted and the Carib Disembarkation Day, later named Garifuna Settlement Day, was first celebrated in Stann Creek District
on 19 November 1941, later in Punta Gorda
or Toledo District
in 1943 and throughout the country in 1977.
The parade is part of the week-long lead-up to the Garifuna Settlement Day that he established, which includes selection of Miss Garifuna, parades and special church services, and The T.V. Ramos Classic Bike Race.
His granddaughter Adele Ramos-Daly
published a biography of T.V. Ramos in 2000.
A statue of Thomas Vincent Ramos stands at the junction of Commerce and Front streets in Dangriga.
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
an civil rights activist who promoted the interests of his Garifuna people, and is now considered a national hero.
Background
T.V. Ramos was born in Puerto Cortez, HondurasHonduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
, on September 17, 1887 and was educated at Wesleyan Methodist primary schools in Stann Creek Town
Dangriga
Dangriga, formerly known as Stann Creek Town, is a town in southern Belize, located on the Caribbean coast at the mouth of Stann Creek. It is the capital of Belize's Stann Creek District and also the largest town in southern Belize...
(now Dangriga) and Belize City. He took correspondence courses in business administration, public speaking, journalism and accountancy. Ramos married Elisa Marian Fuentes in 1914. He moved permanently to Dangriga in 1923 but did not formally become a British
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
subject until one year before his death in 1955.
Social activist
After moving to Belize, Ramos became a school teacher. He was also a visionary leader. Concerned about the systematic neglect of health facilities for Garinagu in Dangriga, he founded the Carib Development and Sick Aid Society and later the Carib International Society, which had affiliations in GuatemalaGuatemala
Guatemala is a country in Central America bordered by Mexico to the north and west, the Pacific Ocean to the southwest, Belize to the northeast, the Caribbean to the east, and Honduras and El Salvador to the southeast...
and Honduras
Honduras
Honduras is a republic in Central America. It was previously known as Spanish Honduras to differentiate it from British Honduras, which became the modern-day state of Belize...
.
The purpose of the Carib Development Society was to help the sick and to assist those who need financial assistance to bury their dead. The society owns 800 acres (3.2 km²) of land that was called the Carib Reserve at Sarawee in the Stann Creek
Stann Creek
Stann Creek is a watercourse in southeastern Belize. The administrative division, Stann Creek District, is named after the river. South Stann Creek rises in the foothills of the eastern slopes of the Maya Mountains within the Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary; the South Stann Creek drains the...
valley.
He lobbied successfully for the colonial authorities to provide native Garifuna nurses in the local hospital.
Ramos was a Methodist, a preacher, and wrote several Garifuna hymns. Some of them are sung each year at his memorial.
T.V. Ramos was a contemporary of Marcus Garvey
Marcus Garvey
Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr., ONH was a Jamaican publisher, journalist, entrepreneur, and orator who was a staunch proponent of the Black Nationalism and Pan-Africanism movements, to which end he founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League...
, and was involved in Garvey's Universal Negro Improvement Association. He fought discrimination against Garifuna people, including all Afro-Belizeans. He was founder of the Independent Manhood and Exodus Uplift Society and the Colonial Industrial Instruction Association.
He was a prolific contributor to the newspapers. For example, writing in the Belize Independent on 21 January 1942 Ramos complained of the brutality of some Wesleyan School teachers towards their students, and the immorality of some of the female pupil teachers.
In 1940, as leader and spokesman of the Garifuna people along with Pantaleon Hernandez and Domingo Ventura he approached the Governor of the colony and asked for establishment of a Public and Bank Holiday to observe the Garifuna arrival in Belize. The request was granted and the Carib Disembarkation Day, later named Garifuna Settlement Day, was first celebrated in Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District
Stann Creek District is a district in the south east region of Belize. According to the 2010 census, the district had a population of 32,166 people...
on 19 November 1941, later in Punta Gorda
Punta Gorda, Belize
Punta Gorda, known locally as PG, is the town of the Toledo District in southern Belize. Punta Gorda is the southernmost sizable town in the nation, with a population of about 6,000 people...
or Toledo District
Toledo District
Toledo District is the southernmost district in Belize, and Punta Gorda the District capital. Although the least developed region in the country, it features some of the most pristine rainforests, extensive cave networks, coastal lowland plains, and offshore cays...
in 1943 and throughout the country in 1977.
Legacy
Thomas Vincent Ramos died and was laid to rest on 14 November 1955. A torchlight parade is held on 13 November every year in honor of his contributions to Belize and to his people.The parade is part of the week-long lead-up to the Garifuna Settlement Day that he established, which includes selection of Miss Garifuna, parades and special church services, and The T.V. Ramos Classic Bike Race.
His granddaughter Adele Ramos-Daly
Adele Ramos-Daly
Adele Ramos-Daly is a Belizean poet, author, journalist and publisher. She is assistant editor of the Amandala, a widely circulated tabloid newspaper, published twice weekly....
published a biography of T.V. Ramos in 2000.
A statue of Thomas Vincent Ramos stands at the junction of Commerce and Front streets in Dangriga.