Now, we need not argue about the "birth defects" of the Nation. Yet, we should think about the applications for the Virgin Islands and for us as Virgin Islanders.
As President Bush said:
In the summer of 1787, delegates convened in Philadelphia to create "a more perfect Union" and craft the document that is the foundation of our country.During Constitution Week, we ought to renew (or find) a commitment to the principles of Liberty. Without a Constitution, what is the foundation of the Virgin Islands? And while we argue about who is and who is not a "Native Virgin Islander," we are faced with the question: Does the Virgin Islands really exist? Are any of us Virgin Islanders?
Today, the true Native Virgin Islander no longer exists. All of us are transplants: some by choice, most in chains. And, while we argue our Country - our land - remains unfounded.
Before the US Constitution, the settlers were no more than subjects of the Crown. It was not until drafting the Declaration of Independence that they began the process of becoming American. And, not until drafting the US Constitution did they solidify their standing as Americans.
We have not declared a status. We have not drafted a founding document. So, who are we - really? We have only accepted a status given to us by our modern-day Crown, and capitulated to their prescribed framework for our existence. Can we be anything more than subjects?
Graphically, the "unique idea" of the Constitution is explained thus:
CREATOR
People
Government
People
Government
But, what is our model in the Virgin Islands? With the Organic Act as the source of our existence, and a US Congressional declaration as to our "unincorporated" status, our model is effectively thus:
Is there not something wrong with this?
Yet, here we are: convention #5 and nothing to show for it besides disunity.
Why is it so hard? Am I the only one who thinks this process should not be so complicated? For the remainder of Constitution Week, I hope to hear from you...
Answer the call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
CREATOR
Government
People
Government
People
Is there not something wrong with this?
Yet, here we are: convention #5 and nothing to show for it besides disunity.
Why is it so hard? Am I the only one who thinks this process should not be so complicated? For the remainder of Constitution Week, I hope to hear from you...
Answer the call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
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4 comments:
Jabriel, you are so right on! I am definitely a "transplant," having lived here only 26 years (next month), yet the moment I stepped off the plane, I felt I had come home. This is where I vote (much to my state-side friends dismay!) and this is where I feel I can and have made a contribution.
On the other hand, I can perfectly empathize with those who have generations of family rooted here and don't want to see upstarts like me coming with their own (unculturized/unacclimatized?) versions of what's "good for" the Virgin Islands!
I often tell visitors who wonder why we "put up" with some of our challenges that living here is a trade-off. If uninterrupted electrical power, phones that work 99% of the time, more things to do after dark (!)and the like were that important to me, I wouldn't be here. The rest of it -- traffic, rudeness, crime -- is everywhere. So why would I complain? All I have to do is go out on my deck after a hectic day and look at my unending view down-island and I know this is still home and will be for a long, long time to come!
So, let's hope that those who seem to be struggling so hard to come up with a constitution that serves everyone can see through all the rhetoric and mushy thinking and head butting and hand down something absolutely brilliant!
The Global Vagabond
Thanks, Global Vagabond!
I too hope that those pioneers accept their calling as REVOLUTIONARIES determined "to form a more perfect Union" for Virgin Islanders.
You're right - there is a trade off...as with everything. However, the one thing on which we cannot compromise is our Liberty! To accept that is to accept subservience to a power that proposes to place itself between us and our Creator.
There is peace and focus that comes from being able to look out at our beautiful views...and, I hope you - and many others - will begin to put that focus to use in defense of our Liberty...all have a cause in this fight!
Answer the call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
Yes, we are incompetent because we elected delegates like Adelbert Bryan to serve on the new convention. He is an ignorant & heartless bigot. He is aware that the 5th Constitutional Convention must review and revise the previous constitution(He served on the 3rd convention & was a senator). All the delegates are required to do is delete the controversial issue relating to the definition of a "Virgin Islander" and adopt the draft with a few tweeting. Yet, he persists in defining "Native Virgin Islander" & inserting a native-born governor clause. In a newspaper article, he threatehed to sabotage the process if his wish is not granted.If you do something the same way & expect a different result, you're incompetent which is the political correct term for "stupid"!
Now, I wouldn't attribute it solely to Bert Bryan. As Einstein said, for every force there is a counterbalancing force. So where there’s a Bert Bryan, there’s a Bruce Cole. Where there are those who try to exclude people who have no commitment to the VI, there are others who try to exclude those who have a vested interest in the VI. Both are two sides of the same coin. From my perspective, people like Bert exist out of necessity – out of fear that external forces will come and disfranchise Virgin Islanders from their homeland. And, if you look at what’s happening on St. John you can’t help but understand.
Again, the answer is a rise in those who share a “Territory First” mentality. With that thinking, I’m sure Bert Bryan would be more comfortable. With such a mentality, there would also be no need for the native-born governor clause. (If you remember, the US Constitution has a natural born President clause, to protect the Country from an Executive whose primary allegiance is not the Country. So, maybe change the native governor to natural born governor – which would exclude me. But, again, I understand.)
This is difficult, and it takes an understanding from all involved that doesn’t exist. Everyone looks at the other with mistrust. And, that’s no way for us to come together as a people.
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