Sen. Thurland Calls Reparations Effort “Nonsense”; Moorhead Calls Comment “Cheap Shot”
“Nonsense!”
Sen. Michael Thurland
That’s how Sen. Michael Thurland described the Virgin Islands Reparation Movement Tuesday in an unprovoked outburst during the Legislative session.Â
During a discussion of an unrelated government land purchase, Thurland attacked the reparations initiative and those who believe in the movement that seeks acknowledgement of, and compensation for, the consequences of Denmark’s colonization and practice of slavery in the Virgin Islands.
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It was a vicious attack on the movement spearheaded by reparations activist Shelley Moorhead and his organization, the African Caribbean Reparations and Resettlement Alliance (ACRRA). Moorhead is currently in Denmark meeting with representatives of the Danish government. The history of the organization, founded by Moorhead six year ago, has been a contentious one with the Virgin Islands government, which has promised but has not delivered financial support to the reparations initiative.
Shelley Moorhead, ACRRA Founder
Moorhead, who had not heard the comment first hand early Wednesday morning, said he had received numerous calls and messages apprising him of Thurland’s comments.  He told CIF that he will respond more fully once his business in Denmark is done, however he did comment briefly on his overall impression of the comments, calling them a “cheap shot” and adding that the incident tells a sad story about the attitude of some members of the Legislature toward the Reparations movement.
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Thurland’s outburst was the latest in a series of recent over-the-top declarations he has made during Senate sessions. Yesterday’s performance prompted Sen. Neville James to advise Thurland “not to be so emotional” when responding to issues before the Senate.
Sen. James put it mildly. Thurland’s tirade was one of the most inappropriate outbursts ever witnessed on the Senate floor. And if, as many have surmised, that this is an attempt by the Senator to make himself visible to the community in a positive way prior to the election, we suggest he think again.
Aside from an appalling lack of sensitivity and awareness of an issue that is top-of-mind for a significant portion of the voting constituency, Thurland’s comments illustrate a critical ignorance of the response that the movement is receiving from the government of Denmark, the country responsible for the most recent colonial slave-based regime.
Moorhead has regularly reported through radio reports and reports on the ACRRA website the comprehensive activities and public affirmation the Danish government has given to his team and their efforts. For an elected official of the Territory to voice such opposition, when the government from which reparations are being sought has met the delegation with cooperation and open minds, calls Thurland’s judgement into question and should sound an alarm in the minds of all conscious Virgin Islanders.
No one can predict the outcome of the upcoming elections but we’re pretty sure of one thing:
Sen. Thurland shouldn’t count on many votes from Frederiksted.
There are many ways to look at slavery. Yes, it was horrible. But we lived through it. Compare the lives of African peoples living in America today to the lives of African peoples living in Africa.
Where would you rather be? We are the lucky ones.
Afro-Caribbean people are not natives of the Americas, we are part of the Colonial period of European expansion albeit an unwilling part. Demanding preferential treatment because of the past is like going back in time but with different masters. Going forward requires equal treatment for all.
At least someone understands it. Egual treatment for all not some.
Naturalized citizens will be paying reparations to natives if Luz James becomes governor. Let’s put James into office if you believe in native rights.We natives deserve better. Either Luz or Ken will send the Arabs, Whites and naturalized citizen back to their homes. VI natives rule!!
@Anonymous 9:26
Please do a bit more research on Africa (which is not homogeneous in nature).. There are many places in Africa, Ghana included, where there is not constant suffering (as the mass media loves to portray.) Yes, believe it or not, there are millions of successful and thriving Africans in Africa. It’s not all genocide and starvation as many would love us to believe. So no, slavery was not a God-send for us.
Africa too suffered and continues to suffer a great loss of people from at least 1000 years of the arabian african eastern slave trade before the transatlantic slave process even began. That is why the presence of African people in Iraq and Iran surprised many of the American public/preception. Much of what we see today is because of greed and the exploitation of human beings by other human beings black, white, etc,.
Imagine if the African continent/self governing countries before colonization was kept intact and in control of all her natural resources including people, cultural, languages, etc.? What we see of Africa today is nothing compared to the original cultural wholeness of the way society’s sturcture was integrated with spirituality, family, community, government and wealth. I am not saying it was perfect, but what we are witnessing from 1000 A.D. to now is a fragment of the original. I suggest doing some research as it relates to precolonial Africa so one can get a fuller picture before intervention of external ideas. Dr. John Henrik Clarke among others is a good start.
Well said.
@Bring Back
The question asked was not what Africa might have been like if Europeans had not interfered or what America might have been like if Europeans had not interfered. The question was, in the reality of todays world would you rather live here in America or in Africa. If the answer is Africa, then what is keeping you from emmigrating to Ghana if that is your perfect place? As a US citizen you are free to leave.
It is impossible to change history. The question is how to go forward. Do you really think that racial problems would be solved by making whites and arabs second class citizens? Or would equality for all work better?
Reparations is not about making any citizens second class citizens. Before a discussion can take place then you need to learn more about the reparations movement, which the govt in Denmark has embraced. And I am also not an advocate of moving back to Africa. I never said that.
Clarification: I am not an advocate of moving back to Africa as a group solution. If someone wants to move to any part of Africa, that is fine.
See the issue is not moving back to Africa. It is to discuss the topic from a wholistic position based on factual information and not fear based taunting. As a descendant of multiple ethnic groups to include African, Carib and Taino as well as European, this discussion is a long time in coming.
Our world situation is different today, however, what were the steps that created this world that we live in now. How can the Holocaust of 6 million people can be held over the world’s head and whenever the topic of the Holocaust of 10′s of millions of Africans is spoken about, we are told to forget it. Move on. That happened a long time ago. Does that now mean that those wrongs have been righted or do we continue not to engage this topic because it serves as a reminder of man’s humanity against himself? There are children, women, men today being exploited to provide the 1st world with the material and sexual needs it desires. DO we understand that we are art of this same cycle? Do we realize that we unknowingly participate in the exploitation of the earth and the many who have no one to speak on their behalf, yet their resources are taken away sold to the highest bidder on our behalf?
No nation can prosper in the long term by the wholesale extermination and exploitation of people, because it’s foundation was not built on “free will” but by tapping into the ego of power hungry and greedy people, some that look like us and those that don’t. How do we correct this pattern so we do not continue to repeat the cycle of oppressor becomes oppressed and vice-a-versa?
The only way to deal with an uncomfortable subject is to look at it in the face and be prepared to discuss things in a truthful light. If not, we will continue to hold ourselves in mental slavery driven by the hand to mouth survival mentality and not the mentality that embraces unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith (aka, kwanzaa principles). If we follow these basic ideas collectively, we will thrive instead merely existing.
the issues involving/concerning people of african descent on the world stage can be overwhelming for many. but from the perspective of us as a people here in the virgin islands, one can gain some insight as to the nature of what we face around the world. before we start sending people packing, as if we have any right to do so, lets first consider a few things.
the circumstances under which we find ourselves in these beautiful virgin islands, lends itself to question whether or not we are being treated justly under the gaurantee of equal rights, afforded us by the american system of governing, legislated through the u.s. constitution. to scream about equal rights for all, without justice for all, only seeks to benifit those with the power to define……….our oppressors, and those that would support their cause in the interest of protecting their own current station in life. it’s as if some of you simply say “so what” to the past, and “to hell with who comes after, as long as you get yours now. (even if the temporary feelings of being free is just an illusion)
the feasability of us returning to africa to then turn and liberate ourselves in the eyes of the world is ludicrus. in the begining we traveled the world freely, but with the advent of the white man into africa, we have been scattered around the world like the sands on the sea shores……..we are even in the belly of the beast every where there are jails. its from these many places in the world that we must stand and fight, if not for ourselves then surely for the children’s sake and the future generations of our people.
but while the fight continues, there is a lot of inhouse work to be done in the way of healing the psychological damage afflicting many today, young and old, as well as addressing the many ills that confront us as a people as we struggle to redeem ourselves.
any denial of the oppressive conditions under which many in our communities continue to endure will only demonstrate the callous n cold-hearted nature of such a person’s own existance or sheer ignorance to the facts. we need programs that would seek to educate the masses about the true greatness of our people thereby restoring their sense of wholeness, honor and self-respect. programs designed to train our people properly for agricultural industrial development in both farming and livestock, programs in socio-economical and political empowerment, infrastructure maintenance and developement, medical health/homeopathic medicine, marine industry, tradesmen, engineers, sporting industry, musicians, boarder security/protection and prison reform just to name a few. our learning institutions from the ground up, should reflect the needs of our communitiess taking into account the unique nature of our people and islands. reparations is about having those who had a hand in our people’s downfall also sharing in the responsibility for our redemption. one of the basic fundamentals of our justice system is at play here. many people sue others worldwide in courts to be made whole again……..we aren’t sueing anyone yet,,,,
them and those that oppressed our people, used a system of lawful disenfranchisment to achieve their goals among many other wicked and sickening acts, and it is this very same system of law we must exploit to acheive our goals. that is their reasoning and so we must use their own reasoning to confince them. this is where the fight for justice comes in, for through their very own law, we shall redeem our inalienable rights to stand as individuals, as a people, as a nation of people standing toe to toe with the other people of the world in the persuit of life, health, happiness and liberty. truth be told, we are the mothers and fathers of the peoples of this world and you know what they say in your bible……honor thy mother and thy father that your days may be long! trj
The islands were bought for twenty five million in gold many years ago. Today, we have a black governor who apparently has access to even more that that and is attempting to buy the votes of the people. Why? I know politicians play dirty and love winning. But there is something more here. Something scary! What is DeJongh’s intent if he gets back into office.
Where is DeJongh getting all this money when according to his own ad on the radio we are in a recession. If he gets back into office and the threat of losing re-election no longer exists, what is going to happen to people’s jobs, homes, families, the elderly, natives, locals, immigrants and even those who are so adamant about putting him back into office. I am trying to be positive and hope that even those who appear to be so blindly following DeJongh will vote otherwise.
On a different matter, do you know that many of the teachers who are recruited from the Caribbean and Asia to teach are being mistreated by certain principals who the least of their concern is the education of our children. One (close to town) middle school in particular is not welcoming of Asian or Caribbean teachers. It is a shame.
Senator Nelson touched on this issue from a different perspective during Thursday’s legislative session. It is heartbreaking! God forbid that stories like these spread beyond our shores.
The difference between DeJongh and Luz is that one pretends to be for all the people.
Was it USSR dictator Nikita Khrushchev or was it Luz who said, “I will bury you”? Maybe its both?
To Anonymous Yes indeed pre-Colonial Africa was sort of like the Club Med: Let me count the ways life was good.
No roads, no schools, no hospitals, no hydro electric plants, no fair judicial process unless you consider impaling of captives fair. But on the other hand there was widespread inter-African slave trade especially with the Ashanti Kingdom which the British sent their military to stop. If you are a interested in African history please take a sheet from a legal pad and draw paper two lines from top to bottom with three equal space in between. At the top mark make three headers marked Pre-colonial, Colonial, and post Colonial Africa. When you are finished describing the quality of life in these three segments come back to this blog and let me know you findings.
Your Euro-centric thinking continues to be a stumbling block to getting a sense of what life was before your people even knew Afrika existed. Your image is perpetrated by the ignorance and superiority complex that many in “your” world assume that before the great white hope existed, Africa was a place of literal darkness.
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Africa/2008/0205/p01s02-woaf.html
Yet, if you truly did your research you will overstand that much of the info/technology still seen on the pyramid and temple walls was a result to the cumulative knowledge created from inner Africa. KMT/Egypt was the holder of much of this knowledge before the burning of the library at Alexandria.
Because things are not the way you and yours approach life does not mean that the way others do is incorrect. If Pre Colonial Afrika had no roads how did millions of tons of gold, silver, iron, etc. get from the inner parts of the continent the outer?
You continue to hold on to that myth that we should be grateful for your past and continued exploitation of the Continent on which my forebears were born. They were mathematicians, astronomers, healers, musicians, farmers, spiritual people. etc.
As I said before, by today’s it may not have been a perfect world, your view continues to take away the great contributions of the Continent that have made all our lives better. My ancestors were forced to endure the mid atlantic slave trade shackled together like animals. If not for their strength and will to survive I and the rest of this civilization would not exist. Remove the accomplishments of people of Color, african descent, and see where that leaves the world.
The info below is just a fraction of what is known today, no thanks to the continued Western society propaganda.
http://www.ehow.com/about_4600222_precolonial-african-inventions.html
Your tactics of distraction while obvious are not working, maybe if you open your mind a teeny bit you may learn a thing or two about other people. Since we are on the topic of inventions here are a few from African descendants on the American continent FYI
http://www.black-collegian.com/african/inventions605.shtml
Bring back the 70′s: Please tell me clearly what the government of Denmark has embraced. A Danish NGO Human Rights group does not determine the policies of the Danish Government who up until this moment has totally ignored the concept of reparation for people who reside in the Danish West Indies. Please post any evidence that what I just said is untrue. Thanks.
@Herb Your views on pre-colonial Africa reveals a very Eurocentic view. Similar to those who think that Prince Henry the Navigator was a great cartographer; ignoring the historical fact that China had mapped the same areas (and more) decades before. You won’t find that in history books.
And to be corrected, no – the Danish Center for Human Rights is an NGO, but is cooperates with the Danish govt. It would be foolish to discount its influence. NGOs many times are more effective at their specialty area than government agencies. Examples: Women’s Coalition, Amnesty International, etc.
@Carol Browne You are correct about major contributions made by African Americans in science and industry. Yet on top of the list should be the greatest and only indigenous musical art form known to this country. I speaking of Jazz which is a unique American creation that remains even today the soul of this country. Every major cross road of trade has developed its own blend of this art form. New Orleans, Memphis, Chicago, St. Louis, West coast and East Coast…you name it. I recently returned from a meeting in Kansas City where so many places carry the names like Basie, Benny Moten, Charlie Parker,Buck Clayton, Joe Turner, Mary Lou Williams, and of course “Prez” or Lester Young. If you ever have a chance please visit the American Jazz Museum at 18th and Vine.
I mentioned in detail just one cultural cross roads were descendants of African slaves made remarkable contributions to our culture. Our debt to them will never be forgotten.
Herb. The point is that our continutions did not begin with the “descendents.” You don’t (want to) get it.
More rejoinder later but today I am remembering one of my heroes birthdays Oscar Peterson with his beautiful performance of “Requiem”
video:
http://www.jazzonthetube.com/page/390.html
It doesn’t get much better than this!