Editorial: Draft Constitution Ignores Contributions Of “Non-Native” Population
Guest Commentary By Ivan Butcher II
After 40 Years I Am Still Not Accepted.
Listening to the position of the Constitutional Delegates and many in the community, who are in support of the disenfranchising those of us who have migrated here and many of us who were invited to come and be productive members of these Virgin Islands, remind me of when I listened to the proud position the Maroon Chief Council Elder had when he gave his history presentation while in Jamaica.
I came to St. Croix from New York, in 1969, not too long after Martin Luther King was assassinated. I had just turned 22 and this was the first time I had not felt intimidated being Black. The Elders here were nurturing and supportive, especially those from elsewhere, the same way they were nurtured by the elders when they first came. Today, their descendants are sounding more like the Maroons, who in order to protect their collective self-interest, now want to turn away those of us who have been contributing to this society 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50 years. Our children and grandchildren were born here; some of us have married in to many of the families here. Being of Caribbean lineage, like so many who have come here within the past 50 years, I have blood relationships here in the Virgin Islands dating back before Transfer Day.
The hardest thing for me to accept is that those who consider their position to be legitimate, have no problem or concern that they are and have been eager to take full advantage of the rights and opportunities that my Native American and African American forefathers fought, sacrificed and struggled to achieve. My nationality is much like our President Obama, I was born in one of the 50 states, my father was not a born US citizen, he was born in Trinidad, a British subject; my mother who was born in Virginia of African American and Native Cherokee parentage establishes my ancestral roots in America.
I accept, understand and fully agree that it is ridiculous for anyone to be able to come to the Virgin Islands and have the right to vote, after 60 days. I also disagree with those same voters were able to vote for the constitutional delegates. I have no problem with those Virgin Islanders whose roots reach back to those enslaved here unjustly to be acknowledged and even compensated in some constitutional manner. But, to want to exclude those of us, who have been responsible for building and rebuilding, the caring, the educating and the contributing to the growth of these Virgin Islands; I find that to be Insulting.
What? When the history of these Virgin Islands is written in the future are they going to ignore all of the contributions made by those of us with no ancestral roots here in the Virgin Islands?
Give Me A Break!!!
sorry adverserial
@Jahman
I am not naive, but hopeful that with the example that I try to project will be recognized by Our Youth.
What I really believe is that, we as a people are still suffering from the Curse of Babel!
@ Ivan,
The curse of babel in relation to our lack of communication? I am not sure I follow, however your focus on the youths is commendable. I read a post you made concerning the total degredation and lack of respect displayed by the youth of the V.I., and I wholeheartedly agree. Do our youth lack role models? Strong family and communities to guide them through life? I would never profess to have all the answers. It is sad and scary to think of our future in that sense, that is why I try to emphasize education. Within the context of my everyday profession I encourage and help faclitate opportunities for young people to continue their education, as well as provide solutions that are practical and timely in their respective situations. The one that made a difference for me growing up in St. Thomas was a teacher from the states, who somehow saw potential within me and encouraged me to foolw my dreams of entering academia.
The idea of native rights is always going to be contentious because of a shifting demographic as well as the impossible task of attempting to redress actions committed decades ago. The actual perpetrators of those crimes against humanity are long dead and buried, and although we still feel the effects of the policies and mind set they implemented into the V.I., I feel, in my opinion that the only way to break this mental bondage is to educate our youth.
@Jahman
I am a retired vocational art teacher and now as an entrepreneur I am still educating.
I am partnering with the St. Croix Chamber of Commerce to put on a show and tell, Art Career Showcase to be held at Sunshine Mall, for the public and private students, to expose them to all of the alternative art vocations that exist right here in our community.
So like you, I am very conscious of how important education is to Liberation, but for me through the Art disciplines, which promotes identity, respect and excellence.
Good day,
I would like the website for the constitution draft.