On a recent visit to St. Martin, just weeks after the United States presidential election, I received a welcome reminder of how peacefully people can co-exist, at a time when many people in my country were grappling with a new and painful feeling of separation.
The reminder came in the form of flip flops from social entrepreneur, David Beffort. The shoes - the left designed to represent the Dutch St. Maarten flag, and the right in the colors of the French flag - symbolize, a campaign he's created called "Walking Forward Together," aimed at inspiring people around the world to take a page from the history of St. Martin - spelled St. Maarten on the Dutch side of the island - and unite.
"I realized how powerful it was to be able to stand on the border with a foot in both countries," says Beffort about his product, called Friendly Flip Flops.
One Island - Two Countries
On March 23, 1648, the French and Dutch signed an agreement called the Treaty of Concordia, agreeing that the island would be divided between the French Kingdom and the Dutch Republic.
In addition to the cultural tapestry the two European countries weave, the fabric is held together by descendants of the African slaves who were brought to St. Martin to cultivate indigo, tobacco, cotton, and sugar cane.
"This cosmopolitan melting pot effortlessly sustains people of different cultures," says Beffort. "There are different religions and different backgrounds, all under the maternal watchfulness of the Caribbean. The community embraced me, when I moved here from France in 1993. I immediately knew I would make it my home, and quickly came to realize why it's called the friendly island," he adds.
Walking Forward Together
Beffort's Walking Forward Together campaign was launched on November 11, 2016 and is sweeping the island like wildfire.
St. Martin's Heineken Regatta, the French tourism board, and both airports on the island, will help promote the footwear. 700 taxis will also sport miniature versions on their rearview mirrors. Beffort is also being approached by international investors and organizations.
Tamilla Chance also gives voice to the campaign. The 12-year-old finalist in the Voice kids talent contest last year, performed the song Walking Forward Together with the choir from St. Joseph's school in St. Maarten, which was founded in 1890. Chance co-wrote with the song with renowned Caribbean singer, songwriter, and producer, Kingvers at a January 4 promotional event for Friendly Flip Flops at the famed Belmond La Samanna resort.
A Boost for the Local Economy and the Needy
By February of this year 30,000 pairs of Friendly Flip Flops will be sold by retailers on both sides of the island. Not only does Beffort's business model put money into local businesses and the local economy, but much of the proceeds will support charities that help children and the needy on the island.
"The soles are currently made in the Dominican Republic and the straps come from China," says Beffort. "Eventually we want to assemble the flip flops here on the island," he adds.
Chicken Soup for the Soul
As I left St. Martin, I noticed how much my spirit had been lifted by Beffort, and his Walking Forward Together campaign, and how much I'd been inspired. To quote one of my favorite activists, Lynne Twist, "Collaboration leads us to and grounds us in sufficiency."
Yes we can, transcend cultural, racial, and political differences, and come together in the spirit of community. We can live and spread the unifying spirit of Friendly Flip Flops and this friendly island, one step at a time.