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Wednesday, March 10, 2010


Virgin Islanders: The Other African-Americans
Written by Shelley Moorhead on February 04, 2009, 12:45 PM
It was a feeling of mixed emotions. An extraordinary pride filled the air, but also the feeling of not wholly belonging; a sentiment of satisfaction descended upon all, but yet still for many Virgin Islanders the inauguration of the United States’ first African-American President – all its glory, historic achievement, present-day significance, and stimulus package notwithstanding – has yet to merit the shouts of “We have overcome!” now being clichéd on every high hill and from under every green tree in black America.
 
Painfully accentuated during Barack Obama’s presidential campaign bid was the fact that there exists African-Americans “in the U.S.”, men and women born on American soil, citizens who are not qualified to participate in the election of the U.S. president.  At the same time, many of these Virgin Islanders have fought and served the military in every major U.S. conflict since World War I and have shed blood and lost lives on foreign soil as recent as Iraq and Afghanistan.
 
These truths exist at a time when the Virgin Islands’ representative in the U.S. Congress serves only as a delegate with no vote in the House of Representatives and little if any influence over policy decisions.  Inasmuch as the right to vote remained a matter of racial discrimination for blacks in the United States during the greater half of the 20th century, the 21st century issues which challenge democratic governance and today threaten socioeconomic and sociopolitical advancement and success in the Virgin Islands far exceed suffrage and are directly linked to the contest between sustainability and dependence...between self-determination and hegemony, and the related expiration of colonial era thinking and outdated principles of power, privilege, and exploitation.

“Although the people of the Danish West Indies oppose annexation to the United States, their wishes are not likely to be considered if the Danes at Copenhagen can make a good enough deal with the United States. Any Government needing funds and possessing a few worthless islands can procure a bargain by addressing William McKinley, Washington D.C.'' (International Herald Tribune; November 28, 1900; Bargain Islands).

A brief review of the history shared in the territory by Virgin Islanders, Americans, and Danes alike will add perspective to the discussion.

From 1666 to 1917, the Kingdom of Denmark owned and occupied the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix - the now U.S. Virgin Islands. For 175 years Denmark enslaved over 200,000 men, women, and children, transporting them to the Danish West Indies through the horror of the middle passage and forcing them to endure the remainder of their lives as chattel, bound to the brutality of harsh estate and plantation labor - with no accompanying wages. However, half those displaced by Denmark who were destined for the islands' shores were not as fortunate. More than 100,000 Africans perished during the dreadful journey across the Atlantic Ocean.
 
Made up of four main islands, several inlying cays, and more than 120,000 people, the Virgin Islands became the Caribbean possession of the United States of America when in 1916, the U.S. purchased the then Danish West Indies from the Kingdom of Denmark for $25,000,000.  Immediately following the March 31st, 1917 transfer of the islands, many domestic challenges arose associated with and emanating from the assignment of a new Virgin Islands political status that had been authored and handed down by yet another colonizer.  In the years following and until the early 1930s, issues ranging from citizenship and statelessness, to civil liberties, racial discrimination, and human rights dominated the local, national, and international debate on the matter.
 
Since that time, the morality of the treaty which was entered into by 2 colonizers governing the session of the Danish West Indies has been challenged; and, more recently the legality of the sale by Denmark and the purchase by the United States has been questioned, citing fundamental human rights violations which remained central to the theme of the sale/session/transfer and until today continue to impede social advancement in this U.S. territory. 

The document distinguishes between “citizens” as Danes and “inhabitants” as African descendants and demonstrates absolutely no consultation with the latter. This neglect of the African-American Virgin Islander’s inalienable human right to self-determination during the sale of the islands and the years which follows is reminiscent of the slavery-era sale and exploitation of African peoples and remains an international human rights violation of the worst sort.
 
Now, yet still un-repaired by the sale of their islands to the United States of America, today's African-American Virgin Islanders have yet to recover from the cultural, political and economic underdevelopment imposed by 250 years of the Danish institutions of slavery and colonization. 

With the institution of slavery ending in the Danish colony in 1848, and in the United States in 1863, how then are the sale, purchase, and/or cession of more than 100,000 “free” people justified generations later?

Which nation is responsible for repair? Who must bear the still-lingering, inevitable burden of decolonization?
 
Today, for Virgin Islanders the statistics are ominous and bleak and cast a dark shadow against the sun, sea, and sand which for many visitors characterize the islands as a tourist destination. A review of the facts is shocking:
 
  • Although tourism is the lifeblood of the Virgin Islands economy, not too many native Virgin Islanders are industry stakeholders directly benefiting from the ownership of hotels, resorts, or marinas; rather, the local population has been marginalized and tasked generally with performing in more service oriented areas of the industry like cooking and housekeeping, maintenance, transportation, and entertainment.
  • The Virgin Islands Government is the largest employer in the territory, but at present unemployment rates are nearing 10%, poverty exists at a rate of 30%, and 5 in every 10 people impoverished in the Virgin Islands are children under the age of 17.  The related drop out and illiteracy rates are at obscene levels and undermine public educational efforts as evidenced in the fact that less than 2 in every 10 high school graduates obtain college degrees.
  • In the areas of health and wellness, 3 in every 10 Virgin Islanders die from heart disease, diabetes is the fifth leading killer, and both stem from the fact that more than 7 in every 10 Virgin Islanders are not aware of the connection between diet and health.  Additionally, the percentage of people living with AIDS/HIV in the territory is second only to that of Washington, D.C., the city having the most known cases of the disease in the U.S.
  • The major environmental issues stem mainly from the presence of the third largest oil refinery in the western hemisphere on the island of St. Croix, but are not limited only to the oil industry as inefficient waste management has also been a general contributor to environmental pollution locally.  Although oil is refined in the territory, fuel costs are comparative to prices anywhere else in the U.S. mainland.  Local consumers not only feel the bite at the pump, but being solely dependent upon oil for energy has in the last year – with the surge in global per barrel prices – resulted in electricity bills that are often higher than mortgages, the cost of day care for children, car notes, and many other daily necessities.
  • More than a decade ago, a study conducted by the U.S. Government revealed that over $300 Million in food items were imported to the U.S. Virgin Islands annually.  The study also revealed that more than 50% of food imported to the territory could be produced locally to generate local revenues which would exceed $100 Million annually, but today the Virgin Islands agricultural industry that once dominated the region and boasted a variety of international exports remains nonexistent.  As a consequence, Virgin Islanders live the reality of a society that manufactures nothing, consumes everything, and does not sustain itself economically.
 
From health, to education, to energy, to the economy, the people of the Territory must be willing to submit to a comprehensive, 21st century plan for redressing these issues.  But, what should this plan look like? Who should develop it? The Territory’s leadership must work with the people to develop such a plan, creating a way for the average, everyday Virgin Islander to have a say in the future of the Territory and its people.
 
As the great majority of African-Americans in the United States celebrate the first black man’s ascension to the Office of America’s President and prepare to enter an era of unprecedented political and social achievement, Virgin Islanders – the other African-Americans – are both filled with joy and longing.  We take great pride in the moment and in its meaning; however, the leadership, the will and determination to make the necessary changes, the teamwork, tenacity, vision and accomplishment demonstrated by Barack Obama are but sobering reminders that we in the Virgin Islands have yet to manifest both the leadership and the tools that are requisite for the re-charting of our destiny.
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Blog Comments

Carlos Otero
I concur with aspects of Mr. Moorhead article on "Virgin Islanders: the other African Americans," even as I do not agree with the premise of the headline. I, too, have mixed emotions on the Obama election, but for different reasons. Moorhead refers to us as African-Americans in the US born on American soil. Aside from the disturbing analogy of being someone else's dirt (see Maurice Bishop, "In No body's Backyard"), I wonder when we made the psychological transition from being West Indians, or Caribbean people, to African Americans. Is that part of the 'mind game' which has us re-define ourselves to accept our minority status in our own homeland? This perspective seems to have taken hold, and is certain to further erode our self-esteem. All of the powers we lack in the U.S. political system -Congressional and presidential voting rights, etc. can be provided under statehood, or being part of another state. This would accelerate our cultural demise, but at least there would be political equality. We could then claim "African-American" status. I would be on the next plane home to Africa. Statehood is unlikely - unless the U.S. decides to sell its Caribbean property for much-needed cash to address the crisis of global capitalism. Rather, we will probably continue to float along without any real direction (and maybe, we will be sold...) The time for us to have updated our political status appears to have passed, even as a colonial constitution is being attempted again (waste of time). A more autonomous political status, however, would serve us far better in protecting our culture, traditions and enhance the possibilities that we might gain control of our society. Psychologically transforming ourselves into African-Americans contradicts the objective reality of our existence, and dismisses our evolution as a people. As one V.I. scholar recently wrote, identity and citizenship are two separate things. US citizenship does not make us Americans, culturally or politically. Thus, as a Virgin Islander of African descent, I am prideful for Obama's ascendency - because he is also of African descent. But that's where it ends. Mr. Moorhead's analysis on the Danish colonial history, however, serves to confirm that Virgin Islanders evolved from an entirely different set of circumstances, in an entirely different geographic location. I would support Our continued existence as a colony continues to confuse even the most astute among us. C.L. de Otero
Rosalie Simmonds Balletnine
Kudos! to Mr. Moorehead for so succinctly stating the issue. It's a message with a reality that all Virgin Islanders need to contemplate. For too long we have been too complacent, waiting for other and our mis-leaders to chart our course. One thing that Mr. Moorehead failed to mention regarding the status of Virgin Islanders is that we now have a formal District Court decision that continues to deny our citizenship rights, declaring us as "statutory citizens", a category not in the US Constitution.
rica
This is truly an eye-opener. There are too many problems to address. Where to begin?
Leon
hi, u mentioned a study about v.i. agriculture. i was curious about where is this study published and if there is one that is more up to date than 10 years ago. ive always wondered why the v.i. imports so much food yet there is a department of agriculture. not too sure what they do tho. thanks!
Jabriel Ballentine
I definitely agree with Shelley's sentiments. This is something that we in the VI don't really consider. We dub ourselves African Americans, but don't even enjoy the same limited Democracy of that group. We are "in control of" our own government, without the ability to address our peculiar situation. And, the powers that be are all to satisfied by our position - as it adds to their benefits. Shelley, thank you for posting this...you have opened my eyes to certain realities, as I see you have done for others on this forum! God willing, we all will Answer the Call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
Julianne
Any mass migration of people from one part of the world to another creates variations in language, customs, beliefs and behavior which add texture and richness to the collective cultural heritage. We can love each other and accept similarities and differences as we grow to understand how unequal distribution of power between white America and Blacks of every origin create unique problems for every part of the group.
Gwyneth Hill
One of the things that I have taken great pride in, especially being from the VI, is that Virgin Islanders were never caught up in pigeon holing themselves into a box like the americans did to it's people. I have always been proud that we recognized each other as a people a unit and not a race. I am sorry to see that the ignorance of the box has finally found it's way to the VI. From a majority of my expereinces while living there (also note that I am born and bred Crucian) a majority of the VI people were of mixed origins... why would we as a people start taking on the one drop rule just so we can be pigeon holed by american ignorance? Not to mention when are people going to acknowledge that President Obama is an american of african decent with a white american mother. To me this does not make him a "black man" or "african american". To me he embodies what America and the VI were suppose to be ... a mixing bowl of cultures, heritages, and people. I do not and will never understand how we Virgin Islanders went from a land of classism to a land of forced racism and am even more shocked that we as Virgin Islanders would want to be known as anything other than that. I myself would NEVER tout myself as African American. I am and will forever proudly be a Crucian/Virgin Islander/West Indian. PS. Please note that Charlize Theron (blonde hair, blue eyes, and white porcelain skin) is the true definition of an African-American, as she is born in Africa and became an American citizen, hence the term "African-American".
Verdel L. Petersen
It is sad that some black people are still suffering the effects of slavery. Yes, some souls need to be repaired. There is bitterness in their heart and lingering resentment towards all white people. Until they realize that the world does not owe them anything, they'll continue to harbor negative feelings. I rejoice the fact that America elected the first black president, or African-American president. According to what I have read about President Obama, his achievements are not credited to affirmative action. He became a U.S. President because he had the audacity to hope and believe in the American Dream.He has never played the race card or use his color as an excuse not to be able to realize his dreams. Yes we can. We, black people can aspire to be lawyers, doctors and bankers.I am proud to be an American. My ancestry includes African. I am proud to be a descendant of great rulers, inventors and architects. Slavery is only one aspect of African History. Let's also be reminded about the positive aspects of our history. So, we cannot vote for president. Neither can the people of Puerto Rico. This has nothing to do with our color or culture. The fact is that the Virgin Islands is not part of the U.S.A.;it is a mere possession.Virgin Islanders residing in any of the 50 state can participate in a presidential election. I hope to hear more optimistic messages. I am a proud Crucian ;I see the glass half full. I anticipate VI citizens taking part in a presidential election in the immediate future. I was not one of the cynics who believed the mantra that America was not ready for a black president.
c.Alex
I too agree with Mr. Moorehead's and the following commentaries, however, until Virgin Islanders (wherever you may be) are included in the discussion and resolution of our self determination, we will forever be defined by the ideas/ideals/standards of others. We are being exterminated on many levels, brick by brick and if we do not take control of ourselves & our communities through the love, respect, integrity, honesty, respectful dialogue and all the other good things we are known for, we as a people will disappear as the grains of sand are washed away/absorbed by the ocean. Much of what we are experiencing negatively have been perpetuated long before "we" were in control of things. Many of these corrupt systems have been and continue to be supported by many virgin islanders (willingly or unwittingly). We are being compromised from the inside out. When will we stand up and collectively say, "No more untruths, No more compromising our future generations by giving away or islands for short term gains, No more backbiting, No more hatred of ourselves, No more settling for less, No more, it's not my problem. No more sitting on the fence. We have much work to do! Thank you Virgin Islands Watch for allowing us this forum to express ourselves. P.S. I have never considered myself an African American, IMHO it does not apply to Virgin Islanders. Secondly, if I were to claim this title, will I be denying my Taino/Carib/European ancestry?
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