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!!!
Back at you, well said
With all of the previous posts in mind (this land is my land-never yours) is anyone paying attention to Bill 28-0143? It is a bill to set aside from the current budget $10 million to establish a Centennial Committee to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the transfer to the United States of the Virgin Islands. Why is Senator Wayne James and the other sponsors, Senator Hill for example, both tried and true Virgin Islanders, spending to start (you know it will be a lot more), $10 million to celebrate this take-over by the United States? James’ interest is likely that he needs something to do after the next election and there is going to be more money in “organizing” this celebration than just being a public servant speaker at it. He can use the money and who knows he might even pay his income taxes.
There are of course 100′s of millions of reasons to be grateful to the United States every year, but who wants to recognize, acknowledge, or admit that is true. Even so, there isn’t $10 million extra in the current budget. The government borrowed $250 million to stay afloat and needs to borrow another $150 million (give or take a few million) and GERS is going down the crapper, but then it will go out to sea with the 50 million gallons of raw crap that has been flowing into the ocean we’re so carefully preserving for the children. The $490,000 of the citizens money put into the Governors personal property could have supplied pumps to keep that from ever happening. Secure the governors personal residence. Kill the ocean. Good choice. Of course the teachers haven’t been paid fully. Retired government workers haven’t been paid fully. The police cannot keep the Virgin Islands from being the murder capital of the US,if not the world per 100,000 population. The schools need repair. The roads are in abysmal condition and are dangerous. The legislature is one of the most expensive in the US, if not the most expensive to fund. But, who knows what it costs? Do they publish a budget or account for expenditures on the public record anywhere?
Just consider, Virgin Islanders spending “their” money to celebrate the feds taking over. Such irony in that.
The Governor should veto the bill. Put the money into a vote on status. In a democracy people get the government they deserve. Let’s vote! Send the feds packing and they can take their money with them too. We don’t need it, and besides, we’re too proud to be dependent, to be a possession and keep taking that money. It’s shameful, not matter which side your on in this debate.
And if you give up all US ties….get ready to give up millions of dollars we receive to run our schools, dismal as they are, fix our roads, support seniors, pay bloated government employees,……..my God man, we would be back to donkey carts void of the millions we get from the Fed’s.
Children and seniors would suffer the most.
We might as well be another Haiti. Some of you are not thinking what it means NOT to be a US citizen.
Correction….Hill is from Dominica. HIS OTHER job, is representing business opportunities there……..he needs to go this time around in November.
To Ivan, the…
Should the focus be on the immediate “wants” of YOU, the non-native or should the focus be on securing the future “needs” of YOUR native-born children and grandchild?
They are now APART and PARCEL of the native population. Shouldn’t you be “looking-out” for their interest(s) as natives?
If non-natives like you continue blocking the natives of YOUR generation, you will in the process never secure the “rights” of the NEW-NATIVES——-YOUR sons, YOUR daughters, YOUR nieces, YOUR nephews, and YOUR grandchildren.
Your native-born off-springs are now a part of the present “Native-Face.” knowing this, why do you persist in “cutting-off” your own nose to spite your face?
To Eyes….
This is about Law.
If these questions I have posed are not addressed this is a fast of time, money and Respect.
Nothing I have written mentions or questions what rights, privileges or opportunity should be granted or denied to anyone.
I clearly understand the definition of Native, and I am Native to the Americas’, not Africa, Asia or Europe.
I have asked for a definition to the term Domicile and to the length of time domicile residence is established. I am also questioning how can a domicile non born resident, before 1917 be considered Ancestral Native and the non born residents before 1932 to be considered Native to the Virgin Islanders.
I said it before, definition needs to be applied to Domicile and Resident to the Virgin Islands.
To me, when this done the numbers will shift in your favor. Without the majority of the non born residents, who have been domicile to these islands longer than most of the seemingly angry Natives, there will be no chance to protect the culture here, that most of us have embarrassed and will stand up to preserve.
Butcher, you were doing well until you called us “angry natives” that’s when you lost me, and I went back to thinking that you don’t have any good will for us.
Just write the check for reparations and be done with it already. Cheese and Bread.
Anonymous
I said seemingly angry natives, not blanking or judging all.
Reparations, for THEM, would mean admitting and accepting responsibility and that is not going to happened.
Being a descendent of unjustly enslaved people, what I want is to be treated fairly under the laws granted the same opportunity that governs all citizens and then, Get Out of My Way.
@EyesWideOpen 2010!
The Native born offsprings of Non-Natives would not receive a property tax exemption!
So I agree, non-natives and natives should be against this constitution. It only divides the population.
Only the rich Ancestral land owners will benefit.What happens to those who do not own land? Only foolish people who are not Ancestral natives support this ludicrous document that does not qualify to be called a constitution.
What is most disturbing about this situation is that most of us mainland born, during the 40′s, 50′s, and 60′s here in these Virgin Island, understand all too well what it means to grow up in a self-inclusive and discriminating Society.
To me, this situation is like we as a people are airing our dirty laundry in Public.
Divide and Conquer.
To me, it is obvious the US Congress Representatives, their constituents and even the Office of the President, himself, his nationality was being question because of where he was born, they are looking at this, Like this is America!
Using an analogy, this can be looked at as, the parents/guardians and siblings are trying to mistreat and neglect a step-child, outside-child, foster-child, just because they were not first.
Even Christ was not considered or recorded as being native to Bethlehem but was deemed a Nazarene.
You go Ivan……..more of us are with you than against.
The more you blog answers to those who have drunk the koolaid the clarity of the legal aspects are so obvious.
Thank you.
In the end, this issue can only be resolved through our status.
From where we stand as an “unincorporated territory,” we at some point MUST decide: do we move towards “full incorporation” into the United States, or do we move towards “independence?”
If we move towards incorporation, the “ancestral-issue” may become a concern , and if we move towards independent ,lets say the “United Virgin Islands,” what YEAR will we use as the threshold for the NEW NATIVE OF THIS NEW STATE?
Given our current political-status for example:
1.Giving away “Federal” rum rebates taxes
2.Fighthing with Puerto Rico
3.Disrespecting the Federal IG
4.Using “public Money” for “Private Gain”
5.Using additional “public funds for legal defense” to defend the “improper use of public funds”
6.The systematic abuse of the legal system to arrest political opponents,
7.The improper use of funding from the Lottery Office
8. And more
President Obama may surprise us all one day and force this status-issue upon us: “independence” because nothing “presently” so Un-American should be allowed in incorporate.
Are YOU prepared?
I do believe the tax breaks are only for the primary residence so “rich Ancestral land owners” have little to gain from the provision. On another note, many people don’t know about the provision that locks property tax assessments at the last value the property sold for. I think we all owe it to ourselves to read the document and come to our own conclusions as to the pros and cons. I’ve found many of both.
Obama could do what ever he wants to do, as a people we will work with it, but on the other hand he only dose what he is told.
The discussion has gotten heated and emotions are flaring! Life has taught us a few things, and one of thosse indeliable lessons is to never make a decision from a point of anger, becuase it clouds your ability to reason. That being said, everyone is making valid points and I for one would LOVE for the COnstitution to be ratified. But I face reality, and know IT WILL NEVER in its present stage. Ivan’s well written piece that appeared as well in the fox News Paper, I mean the Daily news, lays out clearly the legal obstacles for this and the Ramifications of such a draft being implemented. The V.I. does not produce any natural resource that we would be self sustaining, and our reliance on Tourism in and of itself will not provide the lifestyle and social services so many rely on for their daily sustenance. What is the answer, I am not sure because of our status as a Territory, we are not independent like many other caribbean islands that finally broke through the yoke of British servitude and dominion. In essence we traded (nonvoluntarily) one slave master for another, and until we accept this fact we will always be subjected to the legal and political powers that control our destiny. My contention to everyone would be to ensure your children, grandchildren, and EVERYONE you can assist to get an education, beyond high school, and learn the system under which we live. The more of us that are educated and mentally and financially able to effect real change in the way the V.I. is governed, is the only way to improve our lot in life.
Blessings to all!
The Virgin Islands is too small of a place for We the People not to be an Exemplary Example of Diversity, Harmony and Progression to the rest of the World.
@ Ivan,
All your words sound positive and impressive, but what do they really mean in the daily application into an individuals life? Have people become any friendlier to each other? Are old prejuduices that have plauged us for millenia on end still haunt us? What do these words really stand for? or are they all just illusions of granduer, used to pacify or lull people into a false sense of serenity and security? What do you think the outcome of this draft will be, even if it passes without the “native clause”? Then who will be satisfied? Will that bring about the state of utopia that you express a desire to manifest?
These questions are not asked from an advererial position, however I think it naive to think we, as you so eloquently stated before a Territory, bound and beholden to the U.S. for our survival, can be a shining example of diversity, harmony, and progression when in actual fact the U.S. is not cut from this cloth.