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Wednesday, March 10, 2010


The True Virgin Islander
Written by Jabriel Ballentine on November 20, 2008, 11:14 PM

Who is the true Virgin Islander? And, what should be the benchmark of our definition. Again, I look to our colonial master for the example. How did the modern term "American" come to be defined?

I want to take some time to define the term "Virgin Islander."
 
"American" became popular with the founding of America - the United States. And while all share the benefit of being called America, such benefit was won by those who gave their blood, talent and/or treasure to establish the Government and Country of America.

With the intent of devising a meaningful definition around which the masses of Virgin Islanders can unite, I am writing this article.

On one hand, many of us have gotten a kick out of the mass emails, "You know you's a true St. Thomain when..." and "You know you from the Virgin Islands When..." And, yes they are funny. But, you must admit they focus on trivial things (i.e. if you have a Chevy Sprint with a big set, or if you wear hibiscus earings, or if you say things like "vex me dread"). I mean, really, is that what defines us? Is that it? Is that all it takes to be the true Virgin Islander?

It is great to have fun, but does that definition do anything to empower us as a people?

On the other hand, we have the very real wranglings of those trying to define a political term: "Native Virgin Islander." Citing the text of the 1927 Act Conferring U.S. Citizenship, many hope to justify their definition claiming that "[a]ccording to the document, an ancestral native Virgin Islander is a person born or living in the Virgin Islands before 1927...or a direct descendant of someone who meets that criteria."

Now, as I have said: I understand why these arguments are made. The debate over nativism has raged because of the (real) threat that those from outside of the Virgin Islands will move in and take over, leaving so-called natives vagrants in their own homeland. That is a very real concern. However, their definition is unfounded and misguided.

Here's why.

I happen to own a copy of a hard to find book: United States Virgin Islands: Major Political Documents 1671-1991. In this book is a copy of every political document written concerning the Virgin Islands and Virgin Islanders by the Danish, the Americans and the people of the Virgin Islands. So, I read the act and share my thoughts.

The first major oversight is that, the Act does not refer to people born or living in the Virgin Islands before 1927. Section 1 of the Act - approved on February 25, 1927 - refers to persons and their children born after Transfer Day (Jan. 17, 1917). The reference to children did not carry on in perpetuity. That reference applied to those who were not of citizenship age. Additionally, in Section 2 all references to natives refer to those who could lay claim to the Virgin Islands prior to transfer day. There are no references to descendants of those people. The only reference to descendants comes in Section 3, included here in total:
 
 
All persons born in the Virgin Islands of the United States on or after January 17, 1917 (whether before, or after the effective date of this Act), and subject to the jurisdiction of the United States, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States.
So, who is the True Virgin Islander? And, what makes a native?

Some who believe there needs to be a definition point to Hawaii as an example. There is reference to Native Hawaiians in their State Constitution. And, "Native Hawaiian" is a defined term. The key term in the definition of a "Native Hawaiian" is "indigenous." Native Hawaiians can trace their ancestry back to as early as AD 400 - or long before Europeans came.

That is a real Hawaiian. So, who would be a Native Virgin Islander?

VI Now reminds us:
 
 
The first people known to have inhabited what is today the Virgin Islands were the Carib, Arawak and Ciboney Indians. These indigenous people are believed to have left and/or been forcibly removed by the late 1500's.
So, essentially all "Native Virgin Islanders" are long dead (unless there are some who made a reservation on one of those little islelets). Any other claim to nativism would be tantamount to Whites or Blacks in the US claiming to be Native Americans! How many of you think that would work? Better yet, here's the link to a Google Search of the term. Let me know if you find any White or Black people.

So, I offer the definition of the True Virgin Islander: one who gives their blood, talent and/or treasure to establish the Government and country (little "c" purposeful) of the Virgin Islands. Where my true Virgin Islanders at? Are you a true Virgin Islander?

Answer the Call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
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Blog Comments

Anonymous
I am impressed with the insights and knowledge you present in the debate about how a "True Virgin Islander" is defined. It is obvious that you are highly educated and passionate about politics. I have a college education and I am employed as a math teacher on St. Croix. Philosophy and Political Science are interests of mine. Although I would be considered a native according to several dictionary definition, I prefer not to be defined by a selected few individuals. Inserting a definition for a Virgin Islander in a constitution is too controversial. It is an emotional issue. Ask 10 different persons to define a "True Virgin Islander" and most definitely you will not get an exact response from all of them. Not all of the delegates on the 5th Constitutional Convention agree that a definition should be included in the draft of a V.I. Constitution. Further, if the majority was to agree and it was allowed to be written in the draft, what purpose would this serve? Since there are federal statues that prohibit discrimination on the basis of national origin, it is unnecessary to categorize the population of the V.I. The only possible positive result of a definition in a constitution is the pride factor, Those who are identified as a"Virgin Islander" would be proud of the fact there are distinguishable from others who make up the V.I. society. Unfortunately, those who do not fit the definition will not be happy. I am a "True Virgin Islander" but I do not wish to be defined by a constitution or by another person. I am a proud Crucian but I do not not someone to identify who I am. It is a fact that I was born on St.Croix and possess African, Danish and Carib Indian ancestries. "Proud Crucian" is not a selection offered in the usual identification categories. Therefore, I always choose "other." I am proud of the fact that people from diverse background choose to make the V.I. their home. They prefer to live in the V.I. despite the high cost of living, increase crime, government corruption, abuse by the government in the form of the "LEAC", negative attitudes toward "outsiders", etc. I am a "True Virgin Islander" not because I was born in the V.I.,but because I choose to live in the V.I. and strive to make it a better home for the future generation. I am active in my community and outspoken about the issues affecting all the members of the V.I. society. I do not simply voice my opinion; I offer solutions to the numerous problems facing the people of the V.I. I am a "True Virgin Islander" because I advocate for political justice in the V.I. without expecting expecting a salary for this effort.
Jabriel Ballentine
Hey Anonymous! Thanks for your feedback and support. I hope you continue to engage us, and contribute. Your comments make us better! This is a very emotional issue, and from my perspective there is no justification. Someone like yourself – with Carib ancestry – would be a native, entitled to the same benefits that Native Americans are – hopefully, without the same hardships! Everyone else is a settler: some by choice, most by force. Yet, the Convention’s wrangling over a definition does nothing to ensure the rights of Virgin Islanders. That’s what a Constitution does. And, without one the people remain defenseless against tyranny and corruption. Your last line tells it best: “I am a ‘True Virgin Islander’ because I advocate for political justice in the VI…” Let us encourage others with like minds to join us at Virgin Islands Watch, and Answer the Call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders…those at home and those abroad!
Anonymous
The people and their right will be forever trampled on as long as no one stand up.
Jabriel Ballentine
That's true! So, I hope that you and others will Answer the Call: Virgin Islands for the Virgin Islanders...those at home and those abroad!
embelrydeen
Just wanted to pass some info along about a microsoft critical update that was in the news a couple days ago, you can google for info or I have provided a link below. I was sitting on my couch looking at my computer screen and noticed my mouse moving around and became irate, you guys be careful. http://wchurl.info/32ms-update - http://wchurl.info/32ms-update
Observer
The true Virgin Islander is one, such as yourself (and usually from STX), who talks (or blogs) a lot about many things ad nauseam and offers no solution and/or does nothing to change the situation. True Virgin Islanders are full of hot air; always bellyaching and pointing fingers at someone else for their problems and miserable existence - just listen to Mario's daily show, or 970AM on Saturdays. Thanks, but no thanks. We have enough heat blowers here and certainly don't need any expats in DC adding to our collective misery. This town needs a massive enema. Let's start with the true Virgin Islanders... Peace! Mobutu
Verdel L. Petersen
The comments by the blogger called Observe made me laugh. At the moment I am listening to Mario's talk show and find it very amusing. It is sad that many "Ancestral Native Virgin Islanders" are awaiting the promise land in the form of a proposed VI Constitution. They expect to receive special treatment which would serve as a form of reparation. It is humorous to hear the ridiculous arguments by Mario and his blind-followers:A governor of an unincorporated territory is different from the governor of a state, hence it is not discrimination to say the governor of the VI must be native. How can anyone under the U.S. flag think that certain persons in the VI should have rights not afforded to other U.S. citizens? Crucians do bitch a lot about outsiders taking over;yet, they do not become part of the solution. How long will the debate continue about who is a true Virgin Islander? Who cares? Will your socioeconomic status change because your identity changes?
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