Are we Ready for Change?
Guest Opinion by J. J. Estemac
We hear on the radio shows and read in the local periodicals persons expressing their desire that conditions in the US Virgin Islands improve. We complain about the conditions in our schools; we complain about our infrastructure- our roads are in very deteriorated conditions. We also complain about our public servants and the public service we receive. There is a growing climate of lawlessness, people no longer obey basic rules of the road and other traffic laws. We complain about the inconsistent enforcement of our laws; when at all. In the criminal justice system, where prosecutors go to court unprepared and judges are too lenient with convicted criminals. Our elected leaders choose to consider a constitution before addressing the current political status of our Virgin Islands. Are we ready for change?
Many local citizens, democrats and others, have chosen Sen. Barak Obama in the Democratic Party contest to nominate its standard bearer. Sen. Obama campaign motto is Change. I am wondering if the local politicians who stated they support the senators candidacy have also embraced his proposal for change, changes that we really can believe in? Sen. Obama talks about changing the mind set that has the country going down the wrong path. Do our politicians understand the need for positive change? Do they understand it is time we change the way we run our government? Do they understand it is time for us to raise the bar, that we travel the high ground of morality and personal integrity? We need to be better role models for our youth by practicing honesty, humility and elevating the quality of our public discourse.
Can we really change our focus from personal gain to community gain? Can we be more visionary and courageous in addressing our community challenges? Can we be more committed to law and order, to justice for all? Can we say what we mean and do what we say? Can our politicians strive to gain and retain the respect and confidence of the populace? Can our politicians respect themselves and others? Are these not changes that we can believe in? Can we assume the responsibility that is ours in this democratic society? To be vigilant and call attention to deficiencies in our government and praise those public servants that are doing an excellent job as public servants? When are we going to be mad enough to tell the politicians enough is enough and demand better accountability? These are changes we can believe in.
I would exhort you, my fellow citizens, to exercise your rights and responsibilities by being involve in the affairs of our government and fight off the highly pernicious cynicism that have afflicted so many of our fellow citizens for too long. Together we can accomplish almost anything we choose to accomplish, let us unite because divided we have been failing and will continue to fail, divided. Let our generation leave a legacy of positive accomplishments to the succeeding generations, that they may look back on our contributions with gratitude. All good works involve some sacrifices, let us then boldly move forward together, implementing all the necessary changes that will contribute to our positive progress as a people, as a nation.
J. J. Estemac
CCBG
St. Thomas, VI
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Good Lord I just read this and weep.
I’d like to address the original question – “Are We Ready for Change?”
And the answer is a resounding “no.”
Now before you all start hurling invective at the “outsider”, let me finish. Then hurl away. When I moved to the VI I was fascinated – why there were black folks in charge of just everything! The government, the schools, law enforcement, public services – and I thought it was truly a paradise, in more ways than one. But the longer I stayed, the more disturbing some elements became. As I met people, I began to learn the true ins and outs of this place, and found that the inbred nature of the culture is the most damaging barrier to any type of true change.
Real change relies on the willingness to demand a higher standard; to insist on accountability; to refuse to tolerate schools, infrastructure, services, that don’t meet your needs.
Real change demands the ability to listen to those who are not entangled in the web of family and obligation so prevalent here.
Real change demands the realization that you should get what you pay for, and that the individuals who have the genuine ability, knowledge, background and skill to come in, without the noose of owing favors around their necks, and really generate some significant change, are probably NOT from here. And those are the people you repel.
The roots of the problem run deep. It’s an extremely archane, male-oriented society and women are prized mostly for their ability to cook, clean and breed. The general lack of exposure to the outside world and suspicion of anything not home-grown further weaken opportunity for real change.
The people who can afford to send their kids to private school and to college on the mainland do so – and those kids hardly ever come back. The result is that the pool of available talent is weak, and gets weaker, because the types of opportunities at salaries that would attract true talent, simply aren’t here in any great measure.
To “Thinking Cap’s” comment, no, I don’t think ‘the locals’ are “just a bunch of dumb black people in need of white continentals to come and save us from eternal damnation.” Not for a moment. I’ve met some great, sharp minds since moving here. But if there’s no structure to develop the intellect and no appreciation for new ideas or approaches, then it all goes to waste. And, BTW, although I am a “continental” I’m not white.
It is clear that this won’t improve if the only available resources are from the inside and the only ideas that are considered valid are those from people who were “bahn heah.”
One day, the Feds will run everything, and you won’t have any idea how it happened – and you’ll never get it back again.
Think about it.
Outsider with a View, I appreciate your thoughtful approach to the discussion. First of all, I agree with your assessment…we are not ready for change. This is proven each election as the senators most skilled at grandstanding are re-elected time and time again. You also have a large segment of the St. Thomas electorate who insist that the governor is from their district even though they know the candidate’s history. Furthermore, the mere fact that Virgin Islanders by and large refused to sign the Act 6905 recall petition, or even the repeal petition, despite the sad state of affairs the Turnbull Administration left us in, it is clear we are not ready for change. And the mere fact that the Turnbull Administration served 2 full terms is further evidence that we are not ready for change.
While I don’t agree with everything you stated, much of it is true. I will say that the “roots of the problem” do run deep, however I don’t see how being a “male-oriented society” has anything to do with the root of the problem. Isn’t most of the world “male-oriented”?
I don’t know how many of us are aware of the real movers and shakers behind the rampant corruption in the Virgin Islands. The selfish, grandstanding politicians are just the facilitators. They usually end up with campaign funds or a few tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars. The “fat cats” are the ones who get the contracts from Waste Management and Public Works right up to Government House and the PFA. Let me suggest some books for you to read: The Hardball Years by Earle B. Ottley, Trials and Triumphs: The Long Road to a Middle Class Society in the Virgin Islands by Earle B. Ottley; The Extreme Test by Liston Monsanto.
There are too many people like ladlie who believe the local blacks are too dumb to run this government and are so corrupt they are running away with the farm. At the same time, many of them are the ones running around saying “the Governor said we have a shortfall and who are we to doubt him”. So while they claim to be ready for change, they in fact are fostering the continuation of the corruption. The same corruption that the present Governor continually rails about while fostering it. The same corruption that falls directly under his control as Governor.
If the Governor was genuine about “change” and “together we can”, we would have seen it already. You can’t say you’re going to tap local talent and bring back educated and skilled Virgin Islanders to bring about change then turn around and hire cronies and political hacks. You can’t put a mask on Generation Yesterday, call them Generation Now, and expect to see changes. You can’t hire the top financial guy (Nathan Simmonds) of the Turnbull Administration, the administration you railed as being corrupt, and make this man your Chief Policy Advisor. You can’t say you represent change while campaigning with and hiring the corrupt and incompetent leadership and associates of VI Restore Hope, who have been part of the past several administrations. Look deeper than the fancy names. Look at the characters behind the names and learn their history. You’ll be surprised!
TCap – Thanks for your response. Have you ever considered running for office?
I’ll check out those books.
Outsider with a View, I have no desire to hold office, however I would love to organize a slate of honest candidates who truly have the best interest of the people of the Virgin Islands at heart. In the past, such individuals were only afforded one term by the electorate. I hope to see that change but unfortunately I don’t think we’re at that point yet. Maybe when WAPA bills are 2x what they are now the electorate might have a change of heart. Only time will tell.
lol well thinking it took only 6 or so paragraphs until you refered to me as a racist,i admit it was truly fun to push your buttons until you reached or stooped to the level of calling people racist because they disagree with VI politics, we need districts here because they stop things like racism, and hey we all know that crucians look down on down islanders and statesiders alike,if thats not racism i don’t know what is
Well look who’s back, obviously in need of courses in reading, reading comprehension, and math. Since you like counting, why not count how many times you’ve used the word “racist” on this website and how many people you’ve labeled as such. Now you’ve labeled all Crucians as racist. Why not include the St. Thomians and St. Johnians while you’re at it? Hasn’t anyone told you not to throw stones when you live in a glass house?