Will The Real Virgin Islanders Please Stand Up?
A Constitution is defined as a system for government that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity, including the fundamental political principles; defines the structure, procedures, powers and duties, of a government; and guarantees certain rights to the people. All of the people.
Except, it seems, in the minds of certain delegates of the Constitutional Convention of the United States Virgin Islands.
In their Constitution, certain rights are guaranteed for some of the people, namely the Ancestral Native Virgin Islanders, defined as anyone born in the VI before June 28, 1932 and the descendants of those who resided here between 1917 and June, 1932 – but not to the rest of us Native Virgin Islanders – and the rest is defined as any person born in the Virgin Islands after June 28, 1932.*
Two of the most egregious distinctions are:
1. The payment of property taxes – Ancestral natives are exempt from paying them while Natives must pay, and
2. Only Ancestral natives will be allowed to participate in the committees that determine the ultimate status of the Virgin Islands and its relationship to the rest of the United States if and when the document is eventually adopted.
It is difficult to conceive of a more divisive presentation of a document that is designed to unite under rule and principle the people it represents.
It diminishes the value and contribution of the diverse populations that have made the Virgin Islands their home. It relegates anyone who does not carry the “Ancestral” tag to second class status and provides unwarranted special privilege to those who claim the length of their tenure, which is strictly the chance of birth and family. It burdens them unfairly with the expense of property taxes – a fundamental basis of the economy – while denying them a voice in the future and status of the islands their taxes are supporting.
This is not a Constitution. It is the creation of petty minds and vindictive agendas and we should stop it in its tracks.
*The exact language can be found in Article III, Sections 1&2 in documents posted on this website.
Does the document as drafted by the Constitutional Convention fairly represent the rights and interests of all of the people of the Virgin Islands?
- Yes, the distinctions between Ancestral Natives and Native Virgin Islanders is fair (46%)
- No, the distinctions between Ancestral Natives and Native Virgin Islanders unfairly disadvantages those identified as Native and doesn’t represent the interests of all the people of the Virgin Islands (54%)
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Now I Know:
Please disregard my previous comment, I accidentally submit it before edited it.
Please be informed that I am not interested in your personal life or any other bloggers of this site. I am not seeking friendship or conducting a political campaign.
To fulfill your curiosity about me, I’ll like for us to meet for lunch. Your obsession with me might disappear once you’ve learn that my life is not as fascinating as you imagine. I suspect that you are a female, because I detect envy in your message.
Yes, my life is intriguing and filled with a lot of adventures. Although I am a political activist and human rights advocate, my priority is educating and enlightening minds. I must be doing an excellent job. Have you heard any of my students complaining? They love me!!!They are my priority.
What are you occupied with other than your preoccupation with my life? Are you as courageous as I am and willing to reveal your identity to the public? If you want to get personal,tell the public how you are contributing to make the VI a better society.
Thank you Delegate Emanuel for explaining your position.Your true colors are being revealed to all.
You’re an elite bigot! You are as eloquent as Hitler was when he convinced the Germans that they were a special group of people. Recall the Jewish Holocaust? These atrocities happen when certain people feel they are superior to other members in a society.
How can you discriminate against naturalized citizens whose ancestors are also Africans? Do you feel happy that your divisive draft is inciting racism and bigotry/ Do you want another fireburn?
Your hatred for white people and naturalized citizens is so apparent. They’ll have the last say & laugh, though. This proposed VI Constitution can never supersede the U.S. Constitution. A legal scholar or constitution expert, you are not.
Thank you Indigenous.
Delegate Emanuel clearly attended the school that says that if you write enough words about it, it will be true and correct.
Elitist is a fine word to describe this poorly articulated propaganda and but for the fact that this document is never going to make it through the ratification process, I’d be concerned.
Nobody’s buying this, right?
O. Cintron:
Why is it that MOST Whites who reside in these our Virgin Islands of the United States CHOOSE to have their children born in the STATES? (They MAKE SURE that their babies are not born in the Virgin Islands).
Isn’t that ELITIST?
greetings
yes, in my opinion, it is elitist and privileged thought and action to do so.
my youth was brought forth at charles harwood memorial hospital on st croix LONG AGO, by midwife, attended by dr. dechabert…..the experience was not unpleasant atal, and good care and kindness were shown, so i do not see what the fuss is about when other continentals choose to birth off island. they have no problems breeding on island, so why do they birth otherwise?
bless
This 5th attempt to carve out a constitution for the VI is the best thing that could’ve happened. Why? It exposes our weak and vunerable underside. Now we see it, now we fix it. That is, if we have the courage.
Anyone ever read the book “The Different Drum – Community Making and Peace” by M. Scott Peck, MD (1987)? There are distinct stages we must get through to achieve the long-sought after community we have been needing so desperatly:
1. Pseudocommunity (where we spend much of our lives, pretending and hoping all is well)
2. Chaos (where we are now – hurray! Finally!)
3. Emptiness (a scary place but go there we must)
4. Community
This process must be repeated every so often. And it ain’t easy. It rocks us to our very cores. Cry, scream, pout, blame… use up all the excuses. And then we must move on.
This is a good thing. It is the first step in the healing process.
There are many more.
Now I Know:
Do you also refer to yourself as “Call Me Dense”?
Where did you get the data to support your assertion that most white people residing here choose to give birth in the State? Even if this is true, what’s your point?
Perhaps, some people choose to give birth in the States because of the inadequate medical/health care in the VI. Is this what you are suggesting? Isn’t the VI under the U.S. flag or are you so dense that you do not know this?
You’ve asked if it is elitist to give birth on the mainland. “Dense”, it is being practical and ensuring the mother & baby have access to the best medical care. Why do many black people leave the VI and go to Puerto Rico for medical treatment?
It is a shame that many people see the draft constitution as a racist and discriminatory. Thank God we don’t all think that way. Additionally, it is a shame that Ms. Petersen has such a hard-on for Delegate Bryan that she would use an unfortunate situation such as the death of his son to attack him politically. That speaks volumes. I’m sorry that a small populace cannot see the constitution is intended to protect the rights and privileges of the natives of the Virgin Islands. As a dual citizen, I know exactly what it means to hold two passports (one from a british country and one from the US). I know exactly what it means to be able to have the rights of my other country, and at the same, the rights here. There has to be some type of compensation for the native people and their descendants. The people who are screaming racism and discrimination don’t scream that when they are told they can’t go to the beach on Miss Bea’s road in East End! Our local business owners don’t scream discrimination when they HAVE to pay their taxes and not enjoy the same exemptions that places such as Blue Beard’s in St. Thomas! These people don’t travel and they DON’T KNOW! Plain and simple. Open up a BVI Beacon…some jobs in Government clearly state, “belongers only need apply.” What’s wrong with that? Do the Arabs, Puerto Ricans, Eastern Caribbean, etc. cry discrimination? Hell no! Do you hear anyone of Asian or Arab descent calling Jimmy O’Bryan show crying racism or discrimination? NO!!! It is only a select few who are trying to confuse the massess with their divisive comments and personal attacks because they are the ones with political aspirations that would be excluded. Rather than sit back and be satisfied that their offspring will enjoy the rights and privileges of this document, they are belly-aching because in some instances, they won’t. Why be so greedy??? These are the same people you meet at the airport saying, “I going home!” I thought they were “home.” We cannot go “home.” We ARE “home.” We don’t have anywhere to run to, nor do we want to!
“Indigineous Virigin Islander”:
You can call me whomever you want as long as you don’t call me “Late for food”.
WHITES do not give birth in the Virgin Islands. My point is “You can’t have your cake and want to eat it,too!”
Now I Know:
I’ll call you Illiterate Jackass,then. Where do you get your statistics? So, no white person has ever given birth in the USVI? What about those who get impregnated by Rastafarians?
“Indigeneous Virgin Islander”
Did I hit a nerve? Those “Rastafarian” off-springs are BLACK, Dumb $@#.
What about those who get impregnated by Rastafarians? (posted above)
greetings….
just exactly what do you mean by this statement? it is statements like these that give ones the wrong impression of Rastafar I. furthermore, there are no rastafarIANs…..InI are RASTAFAR I…….
guidance
White is a color or race. There is no pure race today since people are free to mate with whom they wish. Rastafari is a religion or philosophy. Anyone regardless of ethnicity, race or color could practice the religion, which I believe originated in Jamaica. Are only white mothers impregnated by white fathers leaving the USVI to give birth in the State? If so, why? Isn’t the VI under the U.S. flag? What special privilege or right these babies would have over the ones born here?
Gerard Emanuel, yes, “The first law of nature is self-preservation”, but as human beings we must understand this law on a higher level. Self-preservation should not be at the expense of another.
Empress:
I agree with you that many people consider the document to be discriminatory. Why is this a shame, though? How would you feel if you were told you that you had no right to use a public bathroom, attend a public school, eat in certain restaurants, swim at a public beach and yet you must pay taxes? How do you define “greedy”? Shouldn’t this description be applied to those who want to deny the rights of others.
Why even cast aspersions when you condemn me for calling a delegate the “class clown”? It is my opinion that this delegate needs professional help to deal with a trauma in his life. My condolences are for the victim and his family. I also sympathize with the delegate because losing a child is a tragedy. Perhaps, he is suffering quietly and the anger being displayed is simply a cover up of the deep pain. I can not imagine what it is like to be in his shoes. I do not know if he feels any remorse or simply is devoid of human emotions. As you are a physic and have the ability to determine that I have a “hard-on” for him, tell me what are his feelings toward me and what he did to his son.
The intention of the prevailing delegates is clear. It is obvious that the ancestral natives want special rights. I am in this category but that is not my wish. I think it is selfish to write a constitution to protect only a segment of the population. Any persons who would vote to disenfranchise themselves or allow others to infringed their rights & privileges must be morons. A rational naturalized citizen would not not support this document. In my opinion, rational minds will prevail over idiotic minds like yours.
Visitors to this site:
Asians and Arabs, perhaps, do not call Jimmy’s show because they are busy conducting businesses and earning money.The nonnatives do not have to “cry” like the natives. Natives, particularly Crucians, are notorious for lamenting and begging for freebies. Recall Kenneth Mapp’s statement and how Chucky got food from the Arabs to feed the hungry natives after Hurricane Hugo? I am an exception to the rule. I am not a typical Crucian. I admire the Arabs;they do not beg for freebies. They know that money talks and bullshit walks.
I am not prejudice like many Crucians. The VI has a diverse population and I embrace people of all nationality and ethnicity.Outsiders are welcomed to the VI Paradise. If visitors would like to learn more about the VI Paradise, they can contact me, Verdel L. Petersen, electronically:vlp1275@yahoo.com or go facebook.com for my profile.Variety is the spice of life. I want to share the VI Paradise with people of all colors. This is a rainbow paradise;it is enticing!
The deluded delegates could only dream of their constitution being ratified.Their draft is a delusion of grander.It is a great example of narrative text that is a fiction novel. I am happy that their fantasy is transparent to all. Goggle my name to see a preamble that I have written.
“Indigenous Virgin Islander”:
You need to take your WHITE %&& along with “The Crucian EDUCATOR” and leave. You or your WHITE children were not born here and can NEVER be native to this land. As for “The Crucian EDUCATOR”, she needs to wash her mouth out with Clorox, Pine Sol, Dettol, or anything. NASTY, NASTY, N A S T Y !!!!!!!!!
I guess we should take Delegate Emanuel’s advice and do like they do in the other states. We could set up reservations on the west end of each island, move all of the Native’s there and let them open casinos.
Or we could just treat everybody equal.
No Old FART,
YOU need to join with your fellow whites and leave.
Is this back and forth bashing really necessary?
Now I Know
I’m not sure why you think all white people should leave the VI. White people were here before the people of African descent. How do you think Africans got here?
You can call yourself an indigenous native all you want but that doesn’t make it true. People of African descent never owned the Virgin Islands. The islands were owned by Denmark and then purchased by the United States.
The Virgin Islands were never taken away from people of African descent because they never owned them. This is very much unlike true native peoples in the Pacific or North America.