Let us talk Independence 1
Donald E. de Castro - Friday, July 6th, 2012 at 8:40 AM
Donald deCastro
As this Territory hopefully moves forward, and life and things evolve, and the world continues to be referred by many as a Global Village, we as Virgin Islanders must take responsibility for our area of this Global Village and in the process consider very seriously the issue of an independent Virgin Islands. With this in mind, it is important that we begin to have open and intelligent conversations on the pros and cons of independence.
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 severe 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.
My definition of a Virgin Islander would be.
1.   Any person born in the Virgin Islands on or before 11:59 pm, December 31, 1945
2.   Any person born in the Virgin Islands after the above date of Virgin Islands parents (both)
3.   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 [email protected], or at www.virginislandtalk.blogspot.com. Let’s just start thinking and talking about it.
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27 Comments
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Once the BVIs continue to answer to Britain, it remains slaves; therefore, we are not free from our masters. We need to practice self-determination, and that begins by becoming independent.
Yea, just like Rastas should live in the hills and eat coconuts and cane right? Being independent will only make us a nation of bigger beggars, what’s free about that? Where will the BVI get income from for security and infrastructure? By your token we will still be slaves if we dependo n financial services and tourism for our income. You are an ignorant jackass.
To me the options to be considered are
1. Status quo (remain as we are)
2. Become a separate US unincorporated territory like the USVI (assuming the US is interested and the UK can negotiate the transfer)
3. Incorporation into a Caribbean Federation which in turn would be part of a larger economic union (like NAFTA).
4. Independence and full member of OECS
5. Total independence.
In my opinion, option 5 must never happen. We will lose the UK umbrella that allows us to compete in services. And given our small size, we would not be able to compete as manufacturers. Caribbean politics and corruption will make option 3 impossible. Option 2 may put us in the same dire political and economic straits as the USVI.
The best two options would be 1 and 4. But 4 would be more attractive if Anguilla and Montserrat joined us at the same time and we retain control over immigration. We would need to watch the OECS for a very long time before going to option 4.
So unless the UK kicks us out into the street, the best choice for the foreseeable future is option 1 (stay as we are).
the politicians rob the islands dry, hospital, paving contracts, festival contracts, stop lights!!!!, that is just the tip of the iceberg, what about water and sewage? Give them a free ride and look out.
the BVI want to thing that’s it’s a BIG DOG but in reality it’s a PUPPY… sorry people that’s the truth.
Thank God ur words are not given much importance by people of influence.
ur definition of a virgin islander is obscenely xenophobic.
i look forward to ur next article on the merits of eugenics
Mr. de Castro is right there is no downside to the BVI starting a national discussion on its sovereignty and political status. In fact it may be constructive and useful to explore the cost-benefits or pros and cons of independence.
The BVI has the right to self-determination and the freedom to choose its political status: independence, federation, some form of autonomy, possible assimilation. Further, it meets or can meet all of the generally accepted conditions to be an independent country: international recognized land and border, permanent residents, sovereignty over territory, organized economic activity to regulate foreign and domestic trade/currency, education system, recognition by other independent countries,
Nonetheless, independence will demand that the BVI be totally self-supporting. Currently, it’s not totally self-supporting. It handles most of its internal affairs; the UK defense and foreign affairs. And if it BVI pursues independence, it will have to provide for its own defense and foreign affairs. Additionally, it may loose some of the privileges that it currently enjoys incident to its link to the UK, i.e., UK passport, EU privileges,preferential and liberal travel to the US….etc.
Moreover, independence will require that the BVI have a self-sustaining economy. The BVI is a have not territory. It is not blessed with any strategic natural resources( energy, precious metals, minerals)to develop a self-sustaining economy. It has little to industrial or manufacturing base. Its economy is primarily a service sector economy buoyed by tourism and financial services. Clearly, independence cannot be pursued based on these two fragile industries.
The strength and competitiveness of these industries, particularly the financial services, is based on the association with and the guarantee provided by being associated with the UK. Will independence adversely affect the industry? Will independence be a boon or bust for the BVI?
Thus far the focus has been on independence. But the BVI can look at other political status. Specifically, it can explore a union with other regional countries. It can maintain the status quo and pursue more autonomy with the UK.
At the end of the day Virgin Islanders have to choose a political status, a partnership that is best suited to the long-term interest and survival of the BVI. The bottom line is given the BVI small size and lack of natural resources can it realistically be an independent country? Does the benefit of independence outweigh the cost? Why are larger regional independent countries having a tough time? Can the relative high standard of living and quality of life be sustained with independence?
As always balance, insightful, and instructive. Have not seen any articles from you lately? When?
Am I the only one confused – about who is able to vote – people born before 1949 – I do not know how old Mr. DeCastro is – so probably his age and then # 2 says people born after that date when both parents are BVIlanders born here – so where does # 3 came from now only one of your parents or grandparents has to be an original BVI-lander – ?????
#
Let’s talk about Donald “sitting his tail down”
Why are some people so damn simple? If Larry De Castro don’t want to cut his hair, or want to go bald, does that make his view on any subject he choses invalid? My people these posts does not stay here, they are viewed globally. Is there not a concern that from what we say we are looked upon as a country of fools? Sometimes I am so embarrassed at some of the posts. Come on, make your comments on points of the subject you are commenting about?. Stop this bigot subjective nonsense. Show respect and intelligence.
If the BVI go at it alone all the sailors will jump ship and the rest will get drowned in their own waters. You dig?
If you really don’t want history to repeat itself again please don’t do the independence thing again. The first time we did it my family had to run SantoDomingo,the US even as far as England in search of job to provide for us so please not again — please don’t listen to Decastro he’s just confused he’s getting to old now, let us talk about expanding the pier and air port – Not indendence. Please please.
@mmario, how is history going to repeat itself. The BVI has never been and independent country to the best of my recollection. It has been under British rule since the 1600.
It was not because of independence that Virgin Islanders emigrated to Santo Domingo, Cuba, or the USVI. It was due to the scant employment opportunities at home or the better opportunities abroad. They emigrated to eek out better living for their families.
let us talk your KFC recipe..what are your 11 Herbs and Spices? I want my chicken to taste like yours
I tend to agree that maybe it is time that the BVI consider independence. Of course this will mean that we lose our British Passports or any right to live and work in Europe. It will mean that we will have to get visas to travel abroad and will have our own Monopoly Money that will be good only in the BVI, but I guess all of that is the price you pay to be free.
Sorry that nobody got you – but I am not going through the hazzle getting a Visa for every country I am going to visit (some might not even give us one) because some people want to be independent and in charge and fill their pockets – and I figure nobody else with common sense would do so
Independence fever must be in the sea breeze blowing across the BVI. Earlier in the week, Hon Dolores Christopher hinted at independence. Now, later in the week Mr. De Castro desires to start a dialogue on same. The big question is the BVI ready for independence?
What does independence mean to the average Virgin Islander who is struggling to make ends meet or even to the more well to do Virgin Islander? Will Virgin Islanders be able to maintain the same high quality of life and standard of living that they currently enjoy after independence? Independence is a serious and complex issue that requires a deliberate discussion.
Independence suggests that the BVI must be self-supporting and self sufficient economically. Does the BVI have resources to sustain itself as an independent country? It has no “black gold,” nor precious metal nor minerals on which to build an economy. Tourism and financial services is serving the BVI well but they are not a sturdy enough foundation to base independence upon.
Further, independence means that the BVI will have to provide for its own defence and security. The UK provide both now. Can the BVI defend itself? Moreever, the competitiveness of the financial services industry is a function of the political stability, the rule of law, and the security that the UK offers.
Further, lets take a close look at our sister Anglophone countries from the Bahamas in the north, Barbados in the east, Jamaica in the west to Trinidad in the south before we jump on the independence train. These countries have had independence status for decades(Jamaica was the 1st and celebrates its 50th year on Aug 06) and are all struggling. There is no shining star in this constellation. Yes, some of their failures are due to the lack of unity. And yes we can learn from their mistakes.
The BVI has a myriad of social and economical problems to address before seriously considering independence. Talking about it is fine but first things first. Can anyone look in the mirror and honestly say that at this stage that the benefits of independence outweigh the cost?
not while these nahyoo’s in power
I don’t agree with becoming independent anytime soon but I must say, this is the most well thought out and sensible article I have seen from Mr deCastro. If he can keep this up then I think people will take him a lot more seriously. He has often been too hardlined and very boasting and ignorant which made his writings seem more like mad rants than actual dialogue. This is a good article and food for thought. I hope you keep this standard of writing Mr. deCastro, good information, well thought out.
How can we even talk about independence now in a time like this….we’d be out of our mind to want independence anytime soon.
I think it is sensible to have a grown-up discussion on the subject, but there are a lot bigger problems that we would have to face beyond simply whether we could continue to use the US dollar. We would need to send our own representatives to the United Nations. We would be responsible for our own civil defence. The island of Jersey recently looked at independence, and decided they were too small to walk alone, and they are more than 5 times the size of the BVI’s population and economy!
Let’s talk about it, but a grown up conversation means not underestimating the challenges. If we start by looking at “who will vote”, we are starting by looking at the wrong thing.
What the Prophet sees is disturbing to say the least. Two years after declaring independance we would be travelling the world over with a tin can in hand. Presently, the UK stands between us and a national financial disaster. Give it up DeCastro, the light you are seeing at the end of the tunnel is in fact the train coming.
” 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 severe the people not for their personal financial gain but to make the country a place where everyone can be proud of.”
LOL!!!! That’s the opposite of any politician.
Let us talk – CUTTNG YOUR HAIR DECASTRO! (YOU LOOK LIKE A FOOL ON THE ROAD)
Mr. DeCastro’s hair style has nothing to do with his comments. Why are you attacking him in that way. Try to expand your mind to interpret what he has said in this piece instead of trying to belittle him.
He may look like a fool to you, but he is no fool.A hairstyle does not elevate or enhance one’s intelligence and who are you to say what a correct hair style should be.
LOOK IN YOUR MIRROR AND CHANGE WHAT YOU THINK NEEDS CHANGING IN YOU!
Yeah you’re right. Still needs to cut his hair though.
It is good that we live in and enjoy the virtues of democracy. Yet how sweet it would be if the use of the key board and other easily electronic devices to keep some of us from both embarrassing ourselves and the territory. But then I’m reminded that freedom speech is something that all of us are entitled to.
Lets use it wisely and responsibly. What does Mr. de Castro’s haircut has to do with his inviting an open discussion on independence. Perhaps you had temporary lapse.
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