Are multiculturalism & assimilation working in VI? Doug Wheatley asks
It is often said the Virgin Islands (VI) is one of the most diverse in the world with more than one hundred different nationalities calling it home.
The talk show host said he had some questions that he wanted to be answered if the territory is thinking about moving forward to becoming an independent nation. They are: Is the VI on its way to becoming a nation? Is the BVI a homogeneous society or is it a multicultural society with persons from all nationalities of the world? Are they all of one accord and living in harmony? Are some persons here living in enclaves, away by themselves away from the population? Is there a feeling of oneness in the community?
Concerns of expatriates
Mr Wheatley said he has met Caribbean nationals who told him “plain out” that VIslanders don’t like them and they don’t treat them well, while on the other hand, some say the locals are very hospitable and open their arms to welcome everyone. He also mentioned that some of the children from the expatriate community told him that while they were born in the VI, they don’t feel the kind of affinity to the territory.
Concerns of locals
Meanwhile, some VIslanders remarked that they feel pressured in their own country and feel like second class citizens, while others claimed that a lot of their jobs and educational opportunities are given to outsiders. Mr Wheatley said some boat captains have complained about captains from South Africa particularly coming in to secure top sailing posts here while the local skippers are left out.
His remarks hinged on a call to his programme last week in which the caller raised the pertinent question of “Are we of one accord as a people and if we are not what can we do to overcome the difficulties?
Callers’ views
One of the callers who claimed to be a local noted that he is often told by the expatriates that they are coming from big countries and his homeland is small, and is always left wondering if this was the case, why did they come in the first place. He said he feels that something should be done, without expressing what exactly.
On the contrary, two callers to the programme who said they were expatriates, said locals often look down on them and refer to them as “down island people,” while the other man said he is not bothered by it all, rather he sees the talk as speed humps and “just go over it.”
Interestingly, one of the final callers to the programme remarked that whenever he returns to his homeland, after two days he misses his home in the VI and can’t wait to return.
Wheatley argued that if the territory is talking about “moving forward” they have to do it in a way that will be beneficial to everyone, that way everyone will feel that it is a collective move.
“Is [multiculturalism] working for us? What about assimilation? It is a very important point…if you are talking about moving forward,” he added.
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17 Responses to “Are multiculturalism & assimilation working in VI? Doug Wheatley asks”
and yes, locals, belongers, come first and most of them are very nice people. quite a few 'expats' need to
change their attitude or go back to where being ugly is the standard - like the US. BVI is a good place.
sure there's a few jerks but they can be used for jerk sauce. always a bright side.