Several people have asked me: "I'm a ______. What does it mean for me when you say: 'Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders?'"
Then, I recently had an argument with some members of the Virgin Islands Republican Party. Certain members had the audacity to be racially insensitive, and then intellectually oblivious. Instead of embracing the Virgin Islands Community, they choose to remain separate from the majority - confining themselves to a country club of sorts, organized for their own self benefit.
These are the types of people that are detrimental to progress in the Virgin Islands. These are the type who seek to benefit from the lack of structure in the Virgin Islands, and the ease of corruption. These are the type who use the Virgin Islands to rebuild from the failures of their path, in a location where they are not known. If that were not the case, they would gladly weave themselves into the fabric of Virgin Islands society, right? And, we must be on guard against their kind at every turn.
So, I am forced to think: "where must we draw the line?" I found myself beginning to understand why there's a debate over who is, and who isn't, a Virgin Islander. And, although I disagree, I also understand why folks are caught up trying to define a "Native Virgin Islander" in our Constitution. Yet, in all of that, I think I may have found a solution.
Let me be clear: this is not a White thing or a Black thing. It is not a Republican thing or a Democrat thing. This is not an issue of who is native and who is foreign.
The issue at hand is: who answers the call in defense of the Virgin Islands? Who thinks "Territory First?" Who is asserting our position as a free and independent people? By those actions we shall know who is - and who is not - a Virgin Islander.
What does it mean to be Territory First? It means that we see everything from the perspective of the Virgin Islands. Territory First implies that we always seek ways to advance the Virgin Islands either politically or economically. Being Territory First means that no matter our outlook, we all stand on the foundation of the Virgin Islands.
Regardless of where we're from...regardless of our ethnicity...regardless of our political affiliation, we must all tout the mantra of Territory First. So, ask those who wish to be leaders: "what will you do to advance the Virgin Islands?" Ask them: "what do you bring to the table to enhance life for Virgin Islanders?"
If they cannot answer those questions, we must reject them. They can feel free to live amongst us, but they ought not have any role in VI society. We should not frequent their businesses; we should not elect them into public office.
It's time that those of us - Black, White, Indian, Frenchie, native, transplant, Democrat and Republican, Christian, Muslim, Jew and Hindi - who care about the Virgin Islands step up in defense of our homeland before it's too late. Before the colonist-minded folks find a way to gentrify the Virgin Islands, we must stake our claim.
What has been your experience? Have you encountered people whom you know have no concern for the Virgin Islands? Do you know folks who only desire to serve their self-interests to the detriment of the VI? How does it make you feel? What do you think should be (could be) done?
Only through self-government can we secure the blessings of Liberty afforded by our homeland. And, only through a Constitution can we develop the framework that will fortify our stake in the Virgin Islands. Only we can do it...our ancestors are counting on YOU.
Answer the call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
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6 comments:
I encounter people like that all the time. I am so sick and tired of people telling me how we should do things and why should do things their way. I live here, this is my home now and has been for some time and I love it. I don't like separatist games people play here. We are Virgin Islanders and instead of whining and complaining or being pushed around, we should unify and work together for a common good. How hard it is, though, when so many "observers" think they know what is best for us.
It is definitely frustrating, Mimi. But, that's why we exist - to fight against those who profit from the wedge that exists in our society and prevent the advancement of the Virgin Islands.
People like you are important to this effort, and it will take us bringing others with like mind into the fold. Then, we'll achieve Liberty for the Virgin Islands!
Continue to Answer the call!
Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
This is written by a native Virgin Islander - whose parents are also native-born Virgin Islander)
This is a very complex issue because, to be honest, the emtire culture of the Virgin Islands is dying.
Here is the reality of what's going on. The bottom line is that due to our dilution through those coming in and lots of native moving away, there is not the allegiance to the islands by those that truly care about unifying in one direction.
There are too many factions pulling the islands apart (I am speaking as a Crucian). You have the natives with long ties to the island (a true minority) vs. the down-islanders vs. statesiders (white and black).
People here tend to lump all islanders together as a homogenous group. The more I have lived at home (I have been back solidly for the past 12 years), the more I realize that native islanders have a different view of what it will take to move the island forward than those from down island. And the latter has passed their views on to their offsrping.
Native Virgin Islanders (those with generational ties to the past) are more likely to want growth and cultivation from within, the down-islanders are more prown to having outsiders come amd invest.
I do not want this to come off as a negative or a positive thing - it's just the way that it is.
Then - since you have the majority of Virgin Islanders (whoe are Black) split up among various factions and not in agreement on how to move the islands forward, you have the statesiders (who are mostly White) coming in and taking advantage of the confusion (and who can blame them?!?!)
Just look at St. John and what has happened there to see what is in the future for St. Croix and St. Thomas. Even on St. THomas now, you can't buy land at a reasonable price. Who, then will own the island after awhile? Same for St. Croix.
It's not a color thing...it's all about the economics. And who has most of the wealth?
It is dangerous to put all Virgin Islanders in the same category when considering how best to move the island forward - because we are not in agreement.
You are right - this is a very complex issue, but I'm sure you agree that we must find some way to gain the necessary allegiance that will move our homeland forward, right?
That's what we endeavor to do at VI Watch!
We definitely have factions. And, from a geographic perspective, that's not much of a problem - that's the point of having a constitution that could serve to solidify the individual identities of these areas, yet also serve as a "tie that binds" all together.
With the statesiders, such as myself and my father, we must gage them by willingness to embrace the VI and not separate themselves into some sort of elite club, existing for the purpose of siphoning off that culture of our land.
We need the investment, but it must be investment that respects the integrity of the community and doesn't force a change in the demographics or the Territory. I don't blame any folk - White or Black - from wanting to benefit from a particular situation. I do hope that they would have more love than greed. And, I definitely feel that we who have ties must act for the benefit of our people. If we don't, then we will be defenseless...and pushed into the sea (literally) by gentrification.
We are not in agreement, but we must have some point upon which we can agree. We agree that the VI is a beautiful place, and no matter how we arrived there, we should be able to agree that we must do our part to keep it beautiful and not erode our foundations.
Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
I have been meaning to comment on this topic for a while. I am a Virgin Islander, 1st generation. My parents are down islanders but we have a love for the all our islands. I love my culture, my people. And for me, this is what counts. Although my son and I are not home he knows where St. Thomas and the other islands are, the food, the music, everything. This is not limited to just St. Thomas alone for me though. But he knows his caribbean culture.
My friends and I have been discussing this topic for the past several years (we all live abroad, coming from St. Thomas). We all want to move back home and do something. For us it's mostly about preserving the culture and taking an interest in the island in a way that would promote it's growth and the well being of the people. I have no time for people who say things like "oh it too small" or "you see the crime rate?" And then there are those who blantantly tell you "I ain evah goin back".
I am all for putting my island first. I know for sure that my friends and I will move back home, it's just a matter of when. We are also working on starting a non-profit program that addresses issues such as cultural preservation, self esteem, and so much more. Things that we see lacking at home. We want to build on what's good and help to address what's not. People need to come back and if they want to make things better. And if not, at least take an interest so they can do what they can from where they are. I agree that we need the investment that respects and promotes the integrity of the island and the people.
Well, I’m definitely glad you decided to chime in Babu. That is definitely what counts: love for our homeland – and the people of our homeland.
There are many of us who desire to return home and contribute. This is the launching point, so I encourage you to roll up your sleeves and dig in…encourage your friends to do the same. As you say: “at least take an interest so they can do what they can from where they are.”
If we all pledge to do our best, we can still make a change!
Answer the Call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders…those at home and those abroad!
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