Independence is never an easy step, whether it is an individual’s decision to move out from their parents’ home, a relationship that goes sour and you decide that it’s time for you to become independent and no longer depend on someone to take care of you. So the same is true when a dependent territory such as the Virgin Islands decides that it is time to become an independent Country and manage its own affairs.

There are many of us here in the Virgin Islands that have seen and realize the many mistakes that many Caribbean Islands made when they became independent Countries, because they were not prepared in many ways. If we are smart enough, and many of us are, we should be able to avoid many of those mistakes that those countries made. We may not be ready at this time. However, it is time that we get the conversation going.

Please, I do not want to hear the dumb argument that so many ill-informed people come up with every time that this issue comes up. They say that the Virgin Islands do not have a currency. Yet these same people leave their home to come here and work for the U. S Currency which is our legal tender according to the laws of the Virgin Islands and an agreement made between the Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Island and the United States of America on behalf of the Territory of the Virgin Islands. And I doubt very much when we become independent that will automatically be taken away from us.

One of my many personal opinions is that steps should be taken to educate younger persons who may be interested in getting into politics they must understand that honesty, pride and integrity must be their guide. It is also important that they understand that when they decide to put themselves up for elective office, although they will be compensated financially for their services, they must accept the fact that they have volunteered themselves to serve the people not for their personal financial gain but to make the country a place where everyone can be proud of.

So therefore, the two most important issues to start the conversation on independence are these. First, do we have the kind of leadership presently to take us into independence? And my answer is no. And the second issue is who should vote in such a referendum? My answer to that would be Virgin Islanders. And this brings me to the definition of a Virgin Islander. However, while my definition of a Virgin Islander can be debated at any time, this should not prevent the conversation on Independence from taking place.

Any person born after the above date in the Virgin Islands of whom one parent and one grandparent is/was a Virgin Islander

I chose the above date as it coincides with the end of World War 2. (WW2 ended in Europe on May 8, 1945 and in Japan September 2, 1945). Before and during the war many Virgin Islanders emigrated to other Caribbean islands such as the U. S Virgin Islands, Cuba, Dominican Republic and the ABC islands to seek employment in order to provide for the families they left at home. And immediately following the war persons started immigrating to the Virgin Islands from St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla and from Antigua, Barbuda & Redonda. Note that Anguilla was part of St. Kitts and Nevis and Redonda is no longer included with Antigua & Barbuda. Anguilla was considered part of the Virgin Islands until 1672.

Next, we must define citizenship, as every Virgin Islander is a citizen but every citizen is not a Virgin Islander. A person may be a citizen by birth, decent or naturalization but can only be a Virgin Islander by birth. Persons born in the Virgin Islands of Non-Virgin Islands parents may apply for citizenship should the constitution or laws permit such action. Too many people do not understand that where one is born is only your country of birth and only the laws of that country determine the citizenship of its people.

So now let us get this conversation going in a constructive and productive manner than can and should be beneficial to all. Furthermore we should and must avoid personal attacks on individuals and political parties. I do realize that personal attacks seem to be the norm in the present environment. However, we will not be able to move this country forward unless this type of behavior and attitude are improved.

I would like to hear from you by mail to Box 3440, Road Town, Tortola, Virgin Islands, VG 1110, at straighttalk2012@gmail.com, or at www.virginislandtalk.blogspot.com. Let’s just start thinking and talking about it.