BVI too small for division; focus on elections — Dr Pickering
Former Deputy Premier Dr Kedrick Pickering has suggested that the BVI is too small for the type of divisiveness that ensued from the recent heritage debate that erupted during this year’s Virgin Islands Day celebrations.
The debate surrounds remarks from former legislator Eileene Parsons who said, a Virgin Islander must be able to trace their parentage back three generations of Virgin Islanders on both sides.
But Dr Pickering argued that the territory’s focus would be better placed on the upcoming general elections scheduled to happen next year.
He described the subject being debated as emotive. He further suggested that some of the challenges that have arose recently are symptoms of a larger problem that needs to be diagnosed.
Belongers and Virgin Islanders being conflated?
Dr Pickering said the concept of what makes a person a Belonger or a Virgin Islander may have become conflated.
One of the important points that needs to be considered, Dr Pickering said, is that there cannot be two classes of citizenship — Belongers and Virgin Islanders — within the territory.
According to the former Seventh District Representative, while a Belonger is a legal status that can be conferred and has certain rights and responsibilities along with it, a Virgin Islander is more of a historical issue.
The former legislator, who served for some 20 years in the House of Assembly (HOA), suggested that a Virgin Islander is someone who traditionally has a historical connection to the territory.
“When we had those debates, it [was] said that anybody who could trace their ancestry back to 1927 is considered a Virgin Islander, and that had nothing to do with whether you were born black or born white,” he stated.
Dr Pickering confessed though, that he was somewhat fuzzy about the rationale behind the date that was mentioned, and offered that it had something to do with the historical context of where the territory was at that point in time and what happened after that.
“You can acquire Belongership, you can become a Belonger, but you are either a Virgin Islander or you are are not,” Dr Pickering added.
Cultural insensitivity
Meanwhile, Dr Pickering suggested that the argument over what makes a person a Virgin Islander may have boiled over into the discourse about the persons selected for the Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) by the Governor.
He further suggested that there was an element of cultural insensitivity in the Governor making the recent controversial selections for the CRC, as opposed to legislators from within the HOA doing this.
“I happen to have had a chat with the Governor himself on this issue and the point I made to him was that, unless you understand and appreciate why the indigenous Virgin Islander feels threatened, you are not going to be able to understand a lot of the issues that come about,” Dr Pickering said.
Dr Pickering argued that, with any country of the world, there has to be a protection for its indigenous peoples.
Dr Pickering said the BVI must embrace multiculturalism in building itself into a great nation.
But the former legislator said this is a different issue from other current debates and how it is made to work is what is going to determine how successful and how great it will become.
“We get lost in some of the minor details and then we miss the big picture. The BVI is a multicultural society, and how we embrace it and build on it is what is going to determine who will become ultimately,“ Dr Pickering argued.
“The country needs a reset, the election will give us that opportunity,” Dr Pickering added.
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Yes Doc, they’re a set of hateful people who hate their own race SMH
“Dr Pickering argued that, with any country of the world, there has to be a protection for its indigenous peoples.”
THIS is the part that y’all always seem to MISS.
Not sure what your point is,asin the historical context, the indigenous people of the Virgin Islands, were, and are not of African ethnicity. Those countries that have protections for their indigenous populations, general refer hostorical ancestral roots, like the aboriginies in Australia, and the North American Indians in USA and the Eskimos in Canada.
According to the white washed his- story is what your comment is based and there is no proof that africans were slaves brought over in a ship while others including whites who were kiddnapped from Europe are along with the East Indians labeled as indentured servants. But blacks have been written down in history while their greatness is transferred to other races.
Peoples are usually described as “Indigenous” when they maintain traditions or other aspects of an early culture that is associated with the first inhabitants of a given region.[7] Not all indigenous peoples share this characteristic, as many have adopted substantial elements of a colonizing culture, such as dress, religion or language. Indigenous peoples may be settled in a given region (sedentary), exhibit a nomadic lifestyle across a large territory, or be resettled, but they are generally historically associated with a specific territory on which they depend. Indigenous societies are found in every inhabited climate zone and continent of the world except Antarctica.[8] There are approximately five thousand Indigenous nations throughout the world.[9]
AKA the Amerindians in these parts
another hybrid
Religion, Race, Nationality, all tools of distraction and destruction! If we just sit back and realize how much we are alike than trying to pin-point differences the world would be a much better place. Just look at when there are concerts, festivals etc. globally, everyone is in the mix, all together, no judgmental behavior. We always get caught up in the nonsense and sadly there are people that love this kind of stuff and keep pouring it on then we drink it all in. Live and LET LIVE!!!! When Irma and COVID struck, we all banded together, it didn’t matter the color of our skin etc. Life is short, cut the f**kry!
Dr. Pickering will say anything to get back in power. He miss his rich, white friends. He has been in government for 20 years at the highest level and has done nothing to address this same issue of children being born here who cannot get a passport. Look at his community of Long Look after his 20 years of service. Can you honestly think of anything that he has done of significance in this country over the last 20 years except traveling? At this critical time we do not need him in government. I do not trust him when it comes to Caucasian people. They have a major hold on him. He and the governor will be far tighter than Natalio and the governor and he will give the UK everything they want. Do not trust Dr. kedrick Pickering.
Pickering! Please cart your fake self. You are also part of the caused division. You are a frequent guest of Honestly Speaking host and you are said to be good buddies. Like minds truly flock together.
Who this washed up politrickster think he foolin? “indigenous peoples” who are they again in the BVI? Hmm if you have Taino blood please come to the front and I suppose you get to be Premier. All the rest of you non “indigenous peoples” go sit down in Dr. Pickering and Ms. P’s yard and pat your silly selves on the back all day long.
We getting rid of slowada not to worry
suppose BVI use to manufacture anything or can be seen on the map buddy? Crazy place with a set of bad mind people. So many of them have children born in the U.S (mainland, St Thomas and P.R) – do you go to U.S and here them bickering about who is a U.S? Go up to customs and you have your U.S passport, you get in your lane. Mehn everybody had to born somewhere. Some born in plane and some on boat and their birth certificate issued in the nearest port they landed. Ayo stop it. BVI only bigger because of reclamation. We all live on this earth which belong to the Lord. Set of unneccessary drama
Then do like us and shut your tail because when we get our children abroad we does register um back in the BVI. So when you get yours here just register them back in your homeland SIMPLE
people like you full of venom and hatred for fellow human beings. Hope you nor your children end up somewhere around the world from help from somebody off a continent other than Tola.
A now deceased former PM of St. Lucia was born on a boat between St. Vincent and St. Lucia
This country is created on divisiveness. The introduction of the term Belonger is the foundation of this division. A virgin Islander is any one who can trace any aspect of their linage back to the virgin Islands, no question asked. How about those people who are born here and those you have acquired legal status. What do you call them? or what do you call someone who is a citizen of BVI. Sorry, I just remembered they are overseas territory citizens.
This dilemma was created by the British and compounded the threatened local. Local who by the way gladly called themselves Americans. Including the same Lady who started this controversy. So, What do you call the so-called indigenous people? Belonger or Virgin Islander. What do you call those that acquired legal status?. Belonger. But if you Belong, then you must be a Virgin Islander.
This divisiveness will continue even with independence because of evil hearts that only see people as competitors and not as your human brothers and sisters.
Weĺl said, clearly explained
The BVI has no indigenous peoples living today. The sooner you get this through your head, the better.
The man could care less – he simply interested in power- the most useless politician in BVI history
More useless than Sowande? FOH
Pricking go sit down you a waste you single handedly destroy conservation and fishiers department… you waste millions on brandywine bay beach where the goat are enjoying it. Sewage project in east end you promise. Yes let move the money to peir park that over run 48 mill if I’m correct. Everything you touch or was in charge of fail no one will put you in…you had your chance. The new blood need there chance and I want to give them a next chance
SUGGEST A PREACHER SAYING , HALLELUIAH , PRAISE THE LORD , CAN I GET AN AMEN ? ( THEY SAY HE AND CSC IS BUDDIES SO WE HAVE , PASTORS / BISHOP AND NOW WE HAVE A POPE OR WHAT ❓ ? ( HE SHOULD OF SAT IN THE STREET WITH HIS HOLY BUDDY , HIS HOLINESS CSC
I listened to Dr. Pickering yesterday on CCS show and everything he said made perfect sense. I was particularly happy to hear him say that protections for Virgin Islanders should be enshrined in the Construction. The BVI is loosing its cultural identity and this to be as a Virgin Islanders is paramount.
The Constitution defines who is deemed to belong to the Virgin Islands; Virgin Islanders. Lets just use the term Virgin Islander instead of belonger and eliminate all this division talk.
The question was answered a long time ago. We should be reviewing the Constitution for agreement or amendment. And this 3 generation on both sides thing will never be acceptable so there is no need to debate it.
All that sn**e want is power. He cares not about the people. As soon as he get that power he will be best of friends with the UK and sell us out. Then jump on the boat and head to oil nut bay. Ayo leave that man where he is. Mind ayo
INDIGENOUS
used to refer to, or relating to, the people who ORIGINALLY LIVED in a place, rather than people who moved there from somewhere else.
The earth is the Lord’s and His fulness thereof the world and they that dwell therein.
1 John 4:20 – If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
Black PEOPLE when will we outgrow our foolish ways, we arrived here enslaved, many of our Ancestors fought as hell for our freedom. We were let loose, yet we are shackled by and with the Enslaver’s words: Belonger and Virgin Islander, awake brand yourself anew and stop carrying around the chains of the Oppressor. We are one, respect and preference must be shown for the natives here there and everywhere. Nonetheless, do not harass the stranger who is living amongst You in PEACE.
yall on here arguing while Rankin enjoying a free ride by not paying tax
That Bigoted woman represents too many ppl in this place. I agree that elections are important but I will not forget her hateful perspective. I will keep that in mind when I cast my vote. I will also keep in mind that it was the VIP and NDP parties that lead us where we are at the moment. If I see any body associate with that Bigot or either party I will cast my vote for the other guy or just doodle on the card if the other guy is another Slow Wande
most of you here chatting not even voting in D7. Doc is a good man, he has not done any worst than others who were there before nor after him. He is one who can represent us on the international level with the power to stand up for our country. his back broad and he is very knowledgeable. If I was in D7 he would get my vote over Suwande. Only thing he getting up there in age, so he should only get one more term.
I always said the government needed a balance, some rookies and some seasoned representatives but no, everybody went rookies and left it up to the seasoned Head Coach and now we up s**t creek.
All black people is indigenous to Africa and all white people is indigenous to Europe.
It is clear that the majority has no confidence in the current status quo. If they were honorable, they would all resign. If they loved their beloved Virgin Islands, they would resign. If there was true patriotism there will be no need for a debate. GOD. FAMILY. COUNTRY. That is how most of us were raised if you are a baby boomer. But it seem to be different here. Otherwise there will be no debate – and to do the right thing will be foremost in all our minds. No Foul language. No hating your brother or sister – however hard it might be sometimes. DO THE RIGHT THING. WRONG CAN NEVER BE RIGHT. Otherwise its just CHAOS. The longer these debates go on – the worse it will get for the territory. Stop the farce and let’s start building A NEW BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. It can be written in the history books why we are the British Virgin Islands as we become THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS. Stronger. Ethical. Politically Sound. Financially Stable. Spiritually Affirmed. One Family. Let those who don’t want to be here go – get a New Canvas and begin to paint our Master Piece.
We dont want you VG. You renewed little hold on savannah bay and pond bay. You ain’t for no one but yourself and if I see you VG imma cap in ya back.
It’s funny and somewhat sad to see descendants of enslaved Africans argue over who got to Which island first.
The funny part though, is that some actually believe they’re indigenous to any of these lands. No you’re not!! We all met the Taino/Indian peoples here in this region.
Every descent country in the world has policies of immigration apt for development and protection of Human Rights for all. The double standards of first and second class citizens embedded in the psyche of the “virgin islander” is a very weak and flawed concept that merely serves to delay the development of the Territory overall.
The VIRGIN ISLANDS been divided a long time ago Cubano.