Did You Know? UN Committee on Decolonization Addresses VI Issues

Searching through the news on our site (below - sidebar), I found this article that you should find interesting. The Fourth Committee is a "Special Political & Decolonization" committee of the United Nations. One purpose of the Fourth Committee is to handle Decolonization matters. In a recent meeting, the committee heard dozens of petitioners from Gibraltar, Guam, Western Sahara and the US Virgin Islands. In the world's eye, all of these places - including the Virgin Islands - are regarded as Non-Self-Governing Territories where colonialism still lingers.

All of the areas had several representatives. They had officials from their governments, international lawyers, university professors, clergy, local poets, actors and other luminaries. All areas were well represented - taking their status seriously...all except the Virgin Islands!

The only person there on behalf of the Virgin Islands was community activist Edward Browne. Mr. Browne stated that we still existed in a colonial relationship with the United States, and that he hoped to encourage the US to end the xenophobic and discriminatory policies adversely impacting the Virgin Islands for more than 91 years (since 1917). According to the 7th Space report:

He recalled that Justice John Marshall Harlan had said that the idea that the United States could acquire territories by conquest or treaty and hold them as “mere colonies” or provinces while the people inhabiting them only enjoyed such rights as Congress chose to accord them was “wholly inconsistent” with the United States Constitution. The United States Virgin Islands would continue to seek justice and equality through non-violent means. The delegates to the Virgin Islands Fifth Constitutional Convention were in the final stages of drafting a Constitution and the Governor of the Virgin Islands would be traveling to Denmark to discuss important related issues.

Mr. Browne said all of these things, but he was the only representative. He spoke of the Fifth Constitutional Convention, but Gerard "Luz" James (Convention President) was not there to testify on behalf of the Constitutional Convention. Mr. Browne spoke of Governor deJohngh's efforts. But, the Governor - nor any representative - was not there to present.

All of this begs the question: "Do Virgin Islanders deserve a Constitution?" Or, "do we deserve Liberty?" In his book, The Revolution: A Manifesto, (you should really read this) Texas Congressman Dr. Ron Paul states the following:

If the people want to be free, if they want to life themselves out from underneath a state apparatus that threatens their liberties...there is no force that can stop them.

If freedom is what we want, it is ours for the taking.

Let the revolution begin.

I applaud the efforts of Edward Browne. But, we must be just as serious about our situation. Or, maybe I'm on an island by myself, aimlessly waving the banner of revolution.

Talk to me...let me know where you stand and what you think.

Answer the Call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!