Message to the Constitutional Convention Delegates
Guest Opinion by Olaf G. “Bronco” Hendricks, M.D.
Whether we want to admit it or not, the relationship between the U.S. and the USVI is basically patriarchal, and the problem this creates is that power, influence and value- dispensation all lie in the hands of these CEO’s of the governing board of directors of our territories-the Washington politicians, some of whom have had some significant influence on the state of our territory for decades. These individuals have local connections, contacts, relatives and partners. To know these local players is to begin to sort out the Crucian incestogram – which describes who is related to whom and how. As expected, these connections, whether officials of our government or not, are often descendants of the old plantocracy or of politicians and powerbrokers of yesteryear – this, in spite of the development of local political powerbase over the past few decades.
Understand, we are still colonial beggars knocking at the door of the metropolitan great house in Washington. We would love to deny it, but we are essentially fourth-class citizens of the U.S. We come after the particular constituencies, the committees, the national interest; then we may be given the time of day, which many times has been at midnight. Also, understand that considering the source of our unique status there are, of course, implications of race, social and economic class. This sociological truth is uncomfortable, but it is what it is. What it is further is one of the crevices that represent one of the major fault lines in our Islands, especially on St. Croix: the maintenance of the dichotomy of Insider vs. Outsider. This is not just the old beaten down horse named “born ya”. This has to do with individuals who have resided on this Island for decades sometimes, but who, nonetheless have never immersed themselves socially or culturally. Just as we have the unfortunate case in which Puerto Ricans have lived here for over fifty years and still cannot hold an elementary conversation in English or Crucian. So, there are individuals who have lived here, and are financially well off due to local activities or businesses, but who still violate the most elementary cultural customs on a daily basis. (Refusing to exchange greetings in passing, “good mon’ng”, good afta’noon”, “good nite”, as is the tradition on this island). They have brought their own values, tradition, mass culture, and constitution with them. In fact, St. Croix is the one place in the Caribbean where you will find expatriates, or U.S.- born and raised individuals, who in spite of living here for decades, still sound like they sounded when they first set foot here. This is in significant variance from what is true on other Caribbean Islands. I feel little pangs of envy when I hear Barbadians of all races talking indistinguishably. My point is that this speaks to the retention of outsideness… separateness… uniqueness. And all this deteriorates into what these folk believe is superiority. I am not suggesting that everyone speaks all the time in dialect or with our accent. I’m saying we can increase our commonalities, such as linguistic ones while retaining retain mastery of English-the Queen’s or whoever’s.
There has been a defect in our social fabric that has had a drag effect on our growth. We have, as a people, grown addicted to the notion that each of us is an island. Each of us is “Mr./Mrs. St. Croix”. “I am St. Croix.” “I know more about St. Croix.” “I know what is wrong with and right for St. Croix.” etc.. One of our unheralded Crucian patriots, thanks, Mario (for that designation) (A local and popular Crucian talk show host), a great writer in the person of Jean Larsen wrote long ago that if you put a bunch of Crucians in a room for consensus they will leave the room with sixteen “only” ways to “torch” crabs or to make “tisane”. (Tisane is a local drink made from soursop). I add that they will also come out probably not talking to each other. Forever!! There is something inherently skewed in the way we see each other. Some of us believe that those that look like us can’t be of any real value. In fact, some politicians have built their bases on our retention of differences-be it white/black, eastern Caribbean/Native, Hispanic/non-Hispanic. In fact, any dichotomy that can be made up will be welcomed by some.
This then is your biggest challenge. If you can accept my hypotheses that:(1) These differential tensions contribute to the tough place that we find ourselves in. (2)We don’t have a critical mass of Crucians who have a strong nationalistic passion for our island. (3)There is not adequate ownership and protection of our island, our environment, our values, our quality of life, our peace- lovingness, and our willingness to share our home; then you can appreciate that without these attributes, we are being transformed en masse into “every man for himself”. I can only charge you with the responsibility of taking ownership of the process of bonding with each other. Not because you love each other, but because you love this island. I implore you to not act like the impulsive xenophobes that too often inhabit our islands, but that you participate in this experiment-this gathering- open-mindedly. I ask you to begin each day with the mantra of-”this is for a better St. Croix”, because there are those who wake up each day with their own mantra of-”another day, another rape”-sexual, social or economic. All eyes will be on your most subtle behaviors, even when you are not engaging in the business of the convention. You won’t be perceived as open-minded when your own actions are that of a bigot or hater. You can’t sit in special seating arrangements-certain groups sitting together- and expect to rub shoulders with everybody else. We already have more than enough special residential living arrangements in the community at large. Just drive around.
Remember, all eyes are on you. Your behavior will be modeled. Our young people will believe that your heart and soul are in this, not your ego and your prejudices, nor your willingness to show off your always right crab-torching skills. Your work here may be our best shot at pulling our community together. It may have a therapeutic impact on our socio-pathology. It may be the source of a new self-respect. You are not just delegates. You are healers, teachers, sociologist and crab-catchers and tisane-makers. You will come out of this speaking to each other!
Thank you and go with the Creator…and let Him find our Island again.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Dr. Hendricks article, an appeal to the delegates to the fifth constitution convenetion. I trust it was widely read and digested by the delegates. I agree that all the chest beating assertions of love for the Virgin Islands there is a real lack of true nationalism,a lack of true patriotism. Patriotism includes love for the Virgin Islands demonstrated by the acceptance of things that are typically Virgin Islands such as the people, the culture, the language, its history, its present and its future. True patriotism includes obeying the laws and respecting and/or tolerating the customs of the territory. The delegates can show their patriotism by recognizing English as the official language.
The proponents of natve rights should explain how the Congress is going to approve a document that discriminate against one group.
I applaud the writer for such a stirring piece. I have never seen such cultural suicide anywhere else in the world. Do you know that teachers in the V.I. public school system routinely instruct students to ‘yank’ when giving oral presentations? I mean I understand the argument that upwardly mobile young virgin islanders must be able to speak powerfully and be understood, but I do think that rejecting our accents in totality is dangerous.
I agree with much of what you are saying but I have not seen the general population stick up for what has transpired here over the years. It seems as if the leaders have sold the islands and their citizens down the road. How could anyone let people come to the islands with soft money operations and give them tax breaks. Even companies that were established tax paying entities now get tax breaks. We need people that come here to help build our tax base so we can improve the roads, schools and utilities. The new wealth that has hit the islands in the past six to seven years are only inflating the costs of the hard working people of the Virgin Islands while they continue to build mansions, buy real estate and inflate the cost of living of islanders.
I do not believe that teacher routinely instruct their students to “yank” when giving oral presentations.Speaking standard English is not the same as “yanking.”One can speak standard English without yanking.
Survival of the fittest is the name of the game. Capitalism rules. Start your own business and stop bitching about outsiders coming to start their businesses & getting tax breaks. The black market and underground economies are thriving!We need to help ourselves build our tax base. The natives pay the Sato whores tax free cash and the dope and gun dealers enjoy tax free profit.Let’s stop whining and get with the program.