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Dr Drexel M. Glasgow recalls being racially profiled, roughed up by white police in US

- related experience @ Black Lives Matter march in VI on June 20, 2020
Dr Drexel M. Glasgow, at the Black Lives Matter march on June 20, 2020, recalled being racially profiled and roughed up by white police in Minneapolis some years back. Photo: VINO
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, during the Black Lives Matter march in Road Town, Tortola, on June 20, 2020. Photo: Russel Jones/Facebook
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), left, during the Black Lives Matter march in Road Town, Tortola, on June 20, 2020. Photo: Russel Jones/Facebook
From left: Deputy Speaker Honourable Neville A. Smith (AL), Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: Russel Jones/Facebook
From left: Deputy Speaker Honourable Neville A. Smith (AL), Second District Representative Hon Melvin M. Turnbull, Minister for Transportation, Works and Utilities, Honourable Kye M. Rymer (R5), and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Fisheries and Agriculture, Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7). Photo: Russel Jones/Facebook
The Black Lives Matter procession making its way to Queen Elizabeth II Park in Road Town, Tortola, on June 20, 2020. Photo: Russel Jones/Facebook
The Black Lives Matter procession making its way to Queen Elizabeth II Park in Road Town, Tortola, on June 20, 2020. Photo: Russel Jones/Facebook
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- When the world witnessed the daring murder of African-American man, George P. Floyd Jr, who was killed when a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on this neck for over 8 minutes, several Virgin Islands residents began to publicly share their own experiences of being racially profiled, harassed and even assaulted by white police officers in the USA and the United Kingdom (UK) in particular.

This was no different when a Black Lives Matter march was held in the Virgin Islands on Saturday, June 20, 2020.

BLM march

The march started at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park and moved along Administration Drive, on to Waterfront Drive, and culminated at Queen Elizabeth II Park. 

The event attracted a mix of people of many nations and races. Blacks and whites alike carried plaque cards in solidarity of the movement.

Among those in the march were Premier and Minister of Finance Honourable Andrew A. Fahie (R1), Governor Augustus J .U. Jaspert and Commissioner of Police Michael B. Matthews.

VIslander shares his experience

Among the persons who spoke was well-known civil servant, Dr Drexel M. Glasgow, shared his unfortunate experience of an encounter with racist police in Minneapolis, USA.

Dr Glasgow reflected that it was some years ago while studying for his PhD in Minneapolis, that he visited a Burger King outlet a few blocks from where Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020.

He said that night he was faced with a number of disappointments, including that Burger King was out of his favourite 'Chicken Sandwich'; however, he definitely wasn't prepared for what would happen next.

"As I was leaving, I noticed that there were some 'blue shirts', that's what they call police, on the outside of Burger King and they were looking in from the windowpane... Being very none assuming, I thought nothing of it."

But he said as he reached out the building, at the bottom of two or three stairs, "A woman white cop came up to me with a gun cocked in the air. Pushed me against a wall and asked me if I had a weapon."

Slammed against wall, groped

As if that wasn't bad enough, Dr Glasgow said, "She dragged me around the block where persons couldn't see as she slammed me against the wall with the gun to my head asking me if I had a weapon."

Dr Glasgow said the female cop pat searched and groped him in the process.

He said the white female cop then grabbed him by the shirt and slammed him on a police vehicle which was nearby. A male cop was in the vehicle and Mr Glasgow said he asked what was the matter and was told Burger King called in a report that a black person "had stuck up the shop."

Shortly after, Dr Glasgow said he was released.

'We are one in BVI'- Dr Glasgow

He shared that the experience had left him shaken to the point of not telling his mom.

Dr Glasgow yesterday charged black people to stop feeling less of a human being.

"To my white friends, let today be the last that you feel within your heart that you have a superiority complex over coloured people.

"We are one in the BVI," he said.

30 Responses to “Dr Drexel M. Glasgow recalls being racially profiled, roughed up by white police in US”

  • Really (21/06/2020, 17:04) Like (27) Dislike (33) Reply
    Chuh he just trying to be relevant stop lying
    • To Really (21/06/2020, 19:50) Like (8) Dislike (12) Reply
      I think he's talking about supercop and not no white cop cause his "car key" were fondled....
    • @ Really (22/06/2020, 06:01) Like (29) Dislike (2) Reply
      I am not doubting any one's story. What I would like to hear though, are the stories of persons who have experienced racism/discrimination here in the B.V.I.
    • sooo (22/06/2020, 14:58) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      It would have been more believable if he said a male police officer did this or even assisted. All those officers around and it was only the woman that roughed him up? Dragged him around a secluded block by herself?
  • Steve (21/06/2020, 17:04) Like (16) Dislike (22) Reply
    He obviously lying
  • home grown (21/06/2020, 17:44) Like (21) Dislike (22) Reply
    This doesn't story doesn't sound rite to me. doesn't add up lets start from the top again
  • Bull (21/06/2020, 17:55) Like (9) Dislike (24) Reply
    I am calling bullxxxx on this , he says she had her weapon cocked I think he wished a white policewoman would of groped him all this just to seem relevant and important, he would of told his mummy of this had happened and we would of all heard this story multiple times by now if this really happened. Things like this DO HAPPEN every day in the USA so to trivalise this for a brief moment on a stand is shocking.
    • @Bull (21/06/2020, 21:03) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
      A lot of things happen to people and they do not talk about it. These things are serious and we should learn to be sympathetic to other people only when we experience bad things ourselves then we want sympathy and help from others.
  • q (21/06/2020, 18:03) Like (6) Dislike (8) Reply
    @ Really u never leave the BVI.
    Go sit down.
  • 911 (21/06/2020, 18:08) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    the race thing here in the bvi is real mehson
    • Right rascism is real (21/06/2020, 22:22) Like (12) Dislike (1) Reply
      And watch a black person in position see how fast they want act white. And racist against they own black or Caribbean people. Trying to keep their own people down by currying favour for themselves. Suckerups.and kisasses.
  • Yep (21/06/2020, 19:12) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Truth u speaking Doc, These white cops have no love for black people, make it worst u have an accent urJamaican boom they shoot u...The amount of Jamaican these racist cops kill in the United states that we dont hear about..... Yet they come here and live liike kings and queens we treat them like royalty..
    • Reality check (22/06/2020, 04:48) Like (5) Dislike (4) Reply
      The statistics on police deaths in the USA are freely available. US police kill more whites than blacks. So far in 2020 they have killed 341 whites / Hispanics and 88 blacks. The US police are brutal in the extreme to people of all races. In 2019 the killed 1004 people of all races.
      In the UK only 3 people were shot by police in 2019.

      https://www.statista.com/statistics/585152/people-shot-to-death-by-us-police-by-race/
      • @@Reality Check (22/06/2020, 08:52) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        Then the whites should be protesting!! By your logic blacks shouldn't complain because more whites are being killed? Blacks are killed by police Disproportionately!! Dumb logic!
        • unarmed (22/06/2020, 10:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
          28 unarmed young men were killed by USA police last year 9 were back 19 were white....yes there is more white people but when it comes to crime its split 50/50 , the full Police force needs to be shaken up no unarmed person no matter the color of their skin should be shot, the police need to learn how to deal with people instead of aiming at centre body mass.
        • Reader (23/06/2020, 21:55) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
          @ @@ Reality Check...Its the unwarranted excessive force that these bad cops use on the African American men leading to their needless death; and their frequency, that are of concern. Also that there doesn't seem to be any accountability or stiff penalties (if any) for those committing these heinous acts.
      • voter (22/06/2020, 12:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Misleading statistics! What is the percentage if the population for each group..
      • John (22/06/2020, 13:31) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
        Bruh with all the respect STFU. First of all statics can easily be manipulated to tell a story. Second, there are countless videos on the internet of police patiently pleading with armed white men who are aggressively waving their guns at the cop. Do they get killed? Nop! But if an unarmed black man even mentioned that he has license to carry, he ends up with holes in his chest. So check that.
  • ras (21/06/2020, 20:53) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
    But how some people could be dangerous so my goodness. This doesn't reflect good on your part bro I am so disappointed in you gosh man
  • Very Bemused (21/06/2020, 22:38) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    While I emphasize with the BLM Movement, why aren't we marching against crime in the BVI, especially when the murders of little Trinity and Mr Penn are unsolved? That amongst other crimes that occurred and still do till now.
  • MARCH (21/06/2020, 23:51) Like (13) Dislike (0) Reply
    We are our own nightmare. The man spoke from his experience and we here blogging trash. Experience is the greatest teacher. We need to March against our own mentality and dig deep inside and see our foolish ways. Some of you need to get off the bvi so you can broaden your mentality and gain knowledge.
  • Bad Blacks (22/06/2020, 03:50) Like (3) Dislike (6) Reply
    Most black people in America full of trick, lies, scam, dishonesty, Thats why police dont trust them. ..This happen to me in America " I bought a Car from a black couple, one night while sleeping they came and stole the car apparently they had a spear key, they got in an accident their drivers license were suspended prior to the accident, maybe thats why they sold the car, any wsy, Im home sleeping police came knocking on my door, they told the police its my car and i loan it to them, and no matter how many ways i told the police they stole the car, couldnt get them to believe me i got a ticket plus they seized the car never see it again...Still I cant suport the brutal killings thats happening...
  • Sigh (22/06/2020, 07:43) Like (11) Dislike (2) Reply
    Some of these comments sre just disturbing and sickening. His experience is a common scenario for many black men. Who knows if he was not traumatized by the incident and chose not to talk about. Similar to molestion, rape, physical abuse, , bullying some never talk about what they went through. What if he did not want to worry his family? We have think more and stop reacting negatively . Why are we constantly trivializing experiences men are going through ? It has to stop if we want to create a healthy, balanced society.
  • Diaspora (22/06/2020, 08:32) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    The scenario described by Dr. Glasgow is a daily experience by Blacks in America. The key word to get police action and quick response is say the term “ Black.” A Black man or Black woman did XYZ and it is off to the races. Remember Central Park “Karen” who was walking her dog unleashed in the park and a Black man asked to leash her dog consistent with park policy to protect his children and she called the police on the Black man, for he was supposedly accosting her. After the investigation she was fired from her job for lying. Further, in October 1994, a Susan Smith told police that a Black gun man had kidnapped her two children. In fact, she drove her car into a lake with the two children in it. Think she still in jail.

    Dr. Glasgow lucky he was not framed for being at the wrong place at the wrong time, for he would still be languishing in jail. Jails are filled with innocent Blacks who were a convenient solution to a crime(s). Prejudicial judges and juries are quick to believe the police, prosecutors......etc. Often Blacks cannot afford bail or skilled legal representation so they join the growing number of innocent Black people in jail. True, some Blacks do commit crimes as Whites, Asians, Hispanics, American Indians, Pacific Islanders...etc do and should pay the equitable penalties as others for their crimes. Blacks are punished more harshly than Whites for the same crime, eg, crack cocaine v. powder.
  • RealPol (22/06/2020, 11:23) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    @Diaspora, real talk.
  • not nice (22/06/2020, 11:27) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    All of the negative comments are the exact reason why he didn’t come forward with his story. People like you all make a lot of people scared to tell their truth. We need love in this place. What has our islands come to.
  • Outsider (22/06/2020, 12:24) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    To all the bloggers that call his story a lie I don 't believe that you are black. If you are black catch a plane and fly to the US mainland. You can go down south or New York City. I'm sure you'll run back to BVI if they don't shoot you. My son is a police officer and he has been stopped or approach by cops for just being black. Every year he gives his family members PBA cards to protect them from cops.
  • No (22/06/2020, 13:11) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Read your account and the whole thing sounds contrived and exaggerated.
  • Hmmmm (23/06/2020, 09:56) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not a BVI relevant story and while I fully and actively support BLM, I think he been watching too many US cop TV shows. White woman dragged him round the block... why to get a feel? How about we talk about how we BV Islanders treat those that are from down island and not from here. How we discriminate them?
  • well sa (23/06/2020, 15:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    I cannot believe that people would take a good minute of precious time to type negative comments of Dr. Glasgow story. Like others have said, that is why hurting people do not share their stories. We should learn to be more support of each other.


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