A Great Contribution To Black History Month

Once a year, we celebrate Black History Month. For 29 days in February, we recall the contributions our people have made to world history. For those of us in the Virgin Islands, the names we recall are all too familiar – David Hamilton Jackson, Buddhoe, Queen Mary – and countless others who have solidified their place in our history. We wouldn’t be where we are without them – and we revere them.

We find ourselves in a time where we are living history.

For the first time ever, Virgin Islanders have an opportunity to have a voice in the nomination of Barak Obama, the first viable Black candidate for President of the United States.

This Saturday, registered Democrats can go to the polls and cast a vote for their candidate and the delegates who will represent us at the Democratic Convention this August in Denver, Colorado.

The territory will have nine votes at the convention. Voters at Saturday’s caucus will select six delegates. St. Croix voters will vote for two women and one man. St. Thomas and St. John voters will select two men and one woman. These six delegates will cast half a vote each for three of the V.I. votes.

The remaining six votes go to super delegates, who are automatically delegates by virtue of their position in the party.

In an election that clearly will go to the last ballot, at a time where the nation is poised for change, here is a chance to truly participate, instead of watching from the sidelines.

At a time when the issues of the mainland and the issues of the Territories are so closely aligned, here is a chance to have some real impact on the outcome of the most exciting race in recent memory.

So keep this in mind as you eligible voters consider whether to go to the polls this Saturday.

We can continue to study history or by simply casting a ballot, we can change history.

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