'Colonies shouldn’t exist’: Fulbright scholar endorses VI’s push for sovereignty
The endorsement of the British Virgin Islands’ (BVI) pursuit of self-determination and sovereignty was revealed during a recent exclusive interview with Virgin Islands News Online (VINO).
A case for sovereignty
Reflecting on the continued existence of colonies in the 21st century, Dr McCoy did not mince words: “Yes, so I absolutely support all nations gaining their independence and gaining their sovereignty. I absolutely support BVI in that direction. And if that’s what the people want, that’s what the people should have.”
Qualifying her position further, she described sovereignty as the capacity for a people to “dictate your own path for the future,” explaining that independence would allow the VI to chart new directions in economic policy, immigration, environmental protection, and foreign relations.
“That might mean changing economic partners; That might mean changing rules about work permits. It might mean recruiting more or less foreign workers. It might mean new environmental sustainability projects but all nations should have their sovereignty.”
The VI’s little self-governing authority continues to be threatened by the United Kingdom (UK), which many believe is seeking ways to not only hamper the VI’s walk to self-determination but to take away powers that have been devolved to the democratically elected legislators.
This was particularly glaring in the Commission of Inquiry (CoI) Report that recommended the suspension of the Virgin Islands Constitution and the imposition of direct rule by the UK. The UK had seemed intent on following through with the controversial recommendation but received pushback from the people, legislators and international organisations.
Tariff uncertainty & traditional alliances
Addressing the geopolitical shifts the VI might face by stepping away from its traditional alignments with the United Kingdom and the United States, Dr McCoy acknowledged the unpredictable nature of global politics and trade.
“I can't necessarily speak to what the future is going to be in terms of tariffs with China. I have no idea; Because literally next week something could change, every single week,” she said in response to the recently imposed ‘reciprocal’ tariffs by the US administration globally.
Dr McCoy did seek to stress; however, that both the US and UK continue to support the VI. “I do know that both the US and the UK want the best for the BVI and I absolutely want to continue supporting the BVI.”
Despite this, Dr McCoy advocated for diversification in international relations, saying, “I absolutely encourage self-collaboration. I think it’s always great to have diverse economic partners.”
Regional collaboration
She also voiced strong support for regional cooperation, particularly in the context of environmental sustainability and made the case for reducing dependence on long-distance imports by strengthening ties within the Caribbean.
“I’m a big fan of sort of regional collaboration; The main reason is for environmental sustainability. When you’re not shipping everything from across the world, when you’re able to just move things in one region, that’s less carbon footprint. And it’s more sustainable for the environment.”
Though she admitted she is still learning about Caribbean-specific institutions such as the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), she expressed an openness and eagerness to understand the region’s dynamics.
Meanwhile, Dr McCoy will be delivering a public lecture, from 6:30 PM today, April 25, 2025, based on her award-winning book From Congo to GONGO: Higher Education, Critical Geopolitics, and the New Red Scare (2023). The public lecture will be done at the HLSCC’s Learning Resource Centre in Paraquita Bay.
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7 Responses to “'Colonies shouldn’t exist’: Fulbright scholar endorses VI’s push for sovereignty”
Cline, Natalio, Oppostion , Tola radio but nobbody holdiing community meeting or coming to us directly to hear what we think!
is almost like they alrdy know most of the dont want independance and dont like how them running the country and how they treat their own black people.
only those who want it are those benefiting, family , friends, anyone in the inner circle, criminals, and ofc the ignorant ones who can't see and think for them self (talking about slave mentality when our own people got us as slaves or even worst)
Never forget : GREEDY BILL
COVID GRANTS
SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS WIHTOUT EVEN GOING TO THE SCHOOL
SSB MONEY
BARGES TO SECURE OUR BOARDERS
BOARD MEMBERS WHO HAVE NO QUALIFICATION OR EXPIERICNE IN NTN
ADVISORS BEING PAID BIG TAX MONEY TO DO NTN
VG CLINIC CLOSED AND A PERSON DIED DUE TO THAT (I GUESS THE WHITEMAN DID THAT TO US???)
THOUSANDS GIVEN TO CLOSE FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO ARE WELL OFF WHILE THE ELDERY AND VULNERABLE ARE DENIED CHEQUE OR GRANTS
MILLIONS PAID IN RENT TO FRIENDS,FAMILY AND POLITICIANS WHILE GOVERMENT BUILDING DAMAGE SINCE 2017!!!!! STILL IN SHAMBLES rent while the Complex is taking longer to repair that the time it took to build
LACK OF CONSUMER CAP ON GOODS
OUR SMALL MINMUM WAGE DESPITE OUR ANNUAL BUDGET INCREASING EVERYYEAR
ANNUAL BUDGET INCREASING EVERY YEAR AND ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN THE CARIIBEAN BUT OUR ISALNDS DO NOT REFLECT OUR BUDGET AT ALL (MODERN SERVICES, MODERN INTERNET, ROADS,INFASTRUCTRE,EDUCATION SYSTEM,HOSPITAL SERVICES ETCCCCC)
the same nations like triniadad & tobago , guyana , jamaica , etc that has muder rates insanley high every year and blatant poverty with mass corruption?
ok i guess.
bvi drug trade will look nice with that for sure