Donald deCastro. Photo: VINO

Then you have those that will say what they think you want to hear so that you may support their point of view. Therefore somewhere along the way, you will, every now and then run into people like I am, who are very outspoken and would say what should be said and sometimes in a manner, that may be offensive to some people.

It is impossible to please everyone, hence you must be prepared and willing to speak out and speak up, and this is very difficult for many people either because they are afraid of victimization or may have something in their closets that they are afraid that would be exposed.  When you are a supporter of one political party, and unless you have an open mind you feel that that party can do no wrong. However, when you are an independent person like me and you are interested in the truth and what is to the best interest of the country you should have no fear in speaking out or voicing your opinion. While I try to get all the facts and statistics, I always keep in mind that facts and statistics may change certain matters, the truth remains the same. 

The party system has ruined this country and have divided its people with the help of those expats that come here with one intention and that is to get as much as they can and then to get the hell out or keep shipping the money out. Do not misinterpret my reference to expats for wthere are many expats who have and is contributing to help with the development of this country and do have this country at heart. 

Let me quote from the Constitutional History of the Virgin Islands by Ermin Penn. “As of November 2008, Theodolph Halburn Faulkner is per local record, the only Anegadian to have served in the Legislature for the Virgin Islands.  He was the Virgin islander who initiated and led the submission to Great Britain that the legislature body should be allowed to re-sit within The Virgin Islands. In distinction, he is the only Member at the March, 1962 Meeting of The Legislature Council who voiced that The Political Party form was unsuitable for the harmonious growth of The Virgin Islands”. 

In the process of the country being divided we lost our pride and identity. Back in the 40’s and 50’s when I was much younger I can remember that people were honest, loyal, had integrity, had pride and morals. And when the people started coming here from the Leeward Islands they also came with these standards and there was no problem with integration. We all had great respect for each other. 

Now, Virgin Islanders we need to redevelop our national pride; and national pride begins with our identity. Our identity is first and foremost our name, which is the Virgin Islands, then we proceed with respect for our constitution; our flag; our national anthem; each other; our leaders and the offices that they hold and equally important that our leaders must have respect for the people. National Pride is not a phrase but a serious commitment. Once we understand these things and practices, we will then begin to develop unity among ourselves; it is then, and only then that, those who come to live and work among us will have respect for us and unite with us to fight our struggles to maintain a decent country which will make us all proud. The leaders have so little respect for the majority of the people, that I will not be surprised, if the Cabinet in selecting a National Song with the word “British” in front of our name that was submitted by one of their alleged supporters, even though so many people have clearly stated that that song is not appropriate as a National Song, will end up choosing it from among the other submissions. 

I want to bring to your attention that our identity was actually given away in the 70’s. In the 70’s at a Caribbean Tourism Association Meeting in Jamaica, the Delegation from the Virgin Islands confronted the Delegation from the U. S Virgin Islands about using our name and the U.S Virgin Islands Delegation made it perfectly clear that they would not comply. When the Delegation returned to the Virgin Islands rather than pursuing the matter, it is alleged that the then Tourist Board Chairman decided just to put British in front of Virgin Islands. They were advised not to do it for one day it will come back to haunt us in and will cost us big money to get back our name. 

Our name is our identity and many people go through changes, discussions, books of names and in many instances make up names for their children, boats, pets and many other things that are dear to them.  The parents of the 33^rd president of the United States of America could not agree on a middle name of their son, therefore they eventually decided on an initial only, and it happened that both of his grandfather’s first names began with the same letter S. Due to this reason he was called Harry S. Truman. Therefore, please do think that a name is important. 

Due to greed, lack of integrity, pride and morals, there are too many people that do not want to accept our name. Let me remind them of Northern Ireland and Ireland; Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Sudan and South Sudan; six separate countries. Then you have the Virgin Islands and the U.S Virgin Islands; two separate Territories. What is it, that is so difficult to understand and accept? It is shameful when you reject your constitutional name for a nick name just because of greed. How can we expect the young people to learn and do better when they observe what their elders are doing?  If you ever watch the TV program American Greed you will see what happens to greedy people and how many other people get hurt in the process. 

For those of you that are not familiar with the calypso “When” by Lord Short Shirt of Antigua, try to listen and understand the words the next time you hear it. 

Our forefathers went through too much and left this country for us, then let us have some pride and protect it in every way we can, even with our lives if necessary from those that want to take it from us as well as those that want to give it to them. We must leave our country for the generations to come without any un-necessary financial obligations because of the lack of foresight. 

Virgin Islanders let us always remember and never forget that we are Virgin Islanders and that we live and work in the Virgin Islands.