BVI News

BVIslanders suffering from extreme form of pride

Talk show host Dr Kedrick Pickering has stated that BVIslanders are suffering from hubris — an extreme form of pride that is holding the territory back as it seeks to advance into the next phase of development.

Speaking on the Eye on the Future of the Nation talk show recently, Dr Pickering said the BVI has become “puffed up” adding that residents no longer regard each other with the love and respect that existed in the community decades ago. Dr Pickering said the lack of respect for each other now exists because BVIslanders have grown to believe they are better than each other and better than others in the region. 

“We have become puffed up because we think we have it! I tell you, one of the most distressing things to me — people I have helped along the way don’t even tell me good morning and good afternoon, they treat me like dirt,” Dr Pickering said emphatically. “Brothers who I helped — perhaps because of some political foolishness, they don’t talk to me. Good morning and good afternoon cost you nothing.”

He continued: “One of the strangest things I’ve seen in my short life is how we have gone from a place where everyone who used to say good morning or good afternoon to people who are younger than you — that you helped bring along, to not thinking you’re worth a good morning or good afternoon. That is hubris.”

Agreeing with Dr Pickering that pride is one of the major downfalls preventing the BVI from advancing as it should, co-host Claude Skelton Cline said Virgin Islanders are also being held back by a culture of silence in the presence of wrongdoing as well as a religious spirit.

“I have never met a more religious people than those of these Virgin Islands. But it is religion that lacks any power. We go to church every week, we shout, sing, praise and these same people walk into offices with a kind of hatred and animosity,” Skelton Cline stated. “That religion has debilitated us and it manifests in us being stalled or being able to create policies — socially, politically, economically — to move us forward.”

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41 Comments

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  1. Nope says:

    This is the norm, everyone is suffering from the stupid island syndrome.

    Like 37
    Dislike 3
    • Ismalt says:

      I completely agree with the Dr and, possibly for the first time ever, with CMC.
      Persons here think we are better than others and much better than down island – but there is not much evidence that is true and persons are ignorant and arrogant and have no class

      Like 32
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      • Don't drink the medicine says:

        Thank you Doc for nothing. I get tired of defending this place and its people. Then people like you just join with others to put our people and these little islands down. For what? Thanks for nothing.

        Like 8
        Dislike 8
      • Eldread says:

        But what the hell! Don’t you think a slave in the master house wouldn’t feel superior? After all being part of England we just relegate the other Caribbean to down island status meaning poverty, and we spending the usd currency so you know the feeling, it is a game by the colonials to balkanize the Caribbean people, Trinidad comes to mind with abundance of natural resources but it’s dollar is of less value to BVI, so too Haiti, where ever these white fools could play games with the lives of black people, it’s done. We even look at our Caribbean countries and call them third world, it’s like the house slave hearing his master is sick and start moaning that we sick master, because he feel he is white as his master for the privilege of living in the house, do we BVI is proud of living under the British flag and auspices. One day if we get independence, they say baby pig ask why mother pig snout was so long, mother pig say when you grow up you will know, you will ask the same down islands how to do it in independence.

    • @Nope says:

      Well a big thank you whomever you are. I feel exactly the same way that you are feeling as well. It is the way it is, that is one of the norms. we are indeed suffering from stupid Island syndrome.

    • Run and Tell Em Dat says:

      Funny. Now that Picko isn’t in power, he can see the hubris. Truth is that hubris is as BVI as guava tart. S!0w W@nde, Luarna in the Corna and the other A$$ C!0wn Brigade are products of this hubris

      Like 7
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  2. Is that it? says:

    Is it this same pride that leaves garbage everywhere and abandoned vehicles and filth in every corner?

    Like 39
    Dislike 1
  3. Wow says:

    For the first time, I actually agree with CSC!

    Like 17
  4. ? says:

    Probably the most sensible thing that man has ever said.

    Like 12
    Dislike 1
  5. Off Again Doc. says:

    Doc, you need to dig deeper as that is not it at all. As the saying goes: A Wise Head Carries a Stil Tongue. Some People are remaining quiet for a reason/s. Time will tell.

    Like 9
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  6. LOL says:

    Pickering calling people puffed up. LMAO! I have seen it all!

    Like 16
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  7. LB says:

    HE don’t say good morning and good afternoon is what he means! He always screw faced. He don’t speak unless spoken too. He is out of touch with the regular common man! He needs to speak for himself! Yes we have challenges but not like what he saying. BVI is still a place of friendly and loving people who help each other. Sadly everyone is struggling now to survive. There is no widespread hubris here. Lastly somebody tell CSC to sthu!

    Like 21
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  8. Why says:

    Why do we like to air our personal issues in the media before pulling a brother on the side and having a conversation. H may be surprised that the problem is not pride at all. It’s shame, for being hungry, no water, no light, no good road. It could be stress so they do not feel like talking to anyone, not just you. It could be that they were mistreated by you first and you did not realise. No. Have a conversation first. Get to the root of the problem then come and tell us.

    Like 18
  9. From The Horse's Mouth says:

    Whatever the reason Brother Cline has made a stunning confession religion has been and continues to be the biggest obstacle to our awakening. Many good persons have been crucified in this community because they dared to point out the danger posed by religion. For those of you that are blinded to the reality we are about to pay a horrific price for the evil that we have done in the name of religion.

    Like 3
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  10. I Wonder says:

    Why are we so quick to blog negatively because we don’t like the messengers? Some of you are honest that you never agreed with certain persons but you do in this case. Others just spew their normal hatred.

    I wholeheartedly agree with what CSC and Dr. Pickering are saying. We have become cold and unkind towards each other. I always say Good Morning and Good Afternoon is for cats and dogs, meaning anyone, anytime, it should be easy to do. I find myself repeating it two, three times in certain establishments as people pretend they don’t hear you. Yes, Doc I find very, very serious from High School and he may not smile at you first, but I have never walked on him, which is mean, and he never walks on you. He is a good person. He is a wonderful man who loves his country.

    What hit home for me with this article the most though was CSC’s take on what Religion is in this community. We are comfortable just visiting church several times a week and praying for change, but no works. We are not reaching out to pull others to Christ and trying to disabuse others of things that are not of God. I have an example. When driving through the 3rd District, I am very upset with the sight of two allegedly illegal businesses in the middle of the doggone road, P***room and its new counterpart across from the Valerie O. Thomas Centre. Where is the representative and where are the churches? Are we going to let these Spa***h flesh-bars open on every block in this country? Are they good for this country? Are they legal? Who cares about our community? Can we rise up against this foolishness. Personally, I am willing to throw stones everytime I pass there and that nastiness is going on in the middle of the Government street. The world is becoming more and more evil, but if you love the Lord and your country, you have to try to preserve some space for goodness and mercy. These clubs are not what we need in our little country. We need to close every single one down. It is time for us to practice what we preach.

    Like 10
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  11. @From The Horse's Mouth says:

    The population has began to open its eyes, but it will take centuries to reverse and erase centuries of brainwashing, programming and inculcating of lies into the psyche of the people.
    It is often so sad to witness the condition of the mindsof thosestaunch believers and peddlers of faith. Really sad.

    Like 4
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  12. Two crook says:

    All I got to say is keep Claude and Kedrick far away from government. Claude miss the freebs. Kedrick miss the white people.

    Like 10
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  13. Unknown says:

    This man is a very nice and genuine man. Met him a couple times in the East End always nice and welcoming.

    Like 3
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  14. BIRDS OF A FEATHER says:

    EVERYTHING BOTH OF THEM SAID , IS NOTHING NEW , SO THEY ARE JUST
    TELLING US SOMETHING THAT WE ARE ALREADY AWARE OF , , ITS LIKE ANOTHER CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS WANNABE DISCOVERIES OF ISLANDS THAT WERE ALREADY INHABITED

  15. DeGs. says:

    There are no authentic Christians in this territory.

    There are only those who make believe, pretend, and practice in the hope of gaining sky favors.

    They all get dressed up on Saturdays and Sundays and go to a building to compare wardrobes.

    The more we look to Christians for good humanity the less we get.

    For the very few, you know who you are in mind and spirit, this is not for you.

  16. Get lost says:

    Kedrick miss Oil Nut Bay lol. Anything to get back in government LOL

  17. Gooseberry says:

    I have heard it all:
    I agree with both men and their comments but wait
    The pot calling the Kettle black

    Doc with due respect: You pass people and turn your face and pretend you do not see them .
    What you say is true! True! True !
    Ungrateful lot . The worst politics is right in the church

  18. These days says:

    Everyone walks around looking like they are lost.

  19. Ausar says:

    Hmmm..

    .I don’t know if I can agree, Doc!

    There’s nothing wrong with a people being prideful in themselves and their circumstances.

    I do agree, however, that exchanging pleasantries, cannot take anything away from that prideship.

    To feel in better circumstances than many in the region, hmm..

    That’s not such a bad thing..After all, Virgin Islanders, are, in many cases, doing very well.

    And some, may be catching hell!

    You will tend to find such attitudes towards others, in every corner, of the globe.

    I hope, Doc, that you are not the example of what you speak.

    And, this is just basic political commentary, with colorful undertones.

  20. @ EYE WONDER says:

    U better open
    your eyes and see the reality ,calling a spade A spade , isn’t a crime , what’s important is , is it fact or fiction ❓️

  21. @ EYE WONDER says:

    U better open
    your eyes and see the reality ,calling a spade A spade , isn’t a crime , what’s important is , is it fact or fiction ❓️ yhe cuban asasin take out agriculture / and the other one was the consultant who masterminded the approval of those sophisticated BARGES ,( which was allegedly used as a … ) , along with his fee may have run into a million and change or more and have the heart to say that he is a servant of GOD

  22. Complete Agreement says:

    Either these two gentlemen each had a road to Damascus moment and have put away their obvious ambitions and hubris or they’re just throwing whatever they can at the wall to see what sticks.
    Hope for the first but suspect the last.

  23. So okay, let’s see says:

    This is my comment and the way I see it sans I cannot speak for the masses. If you agree or disagree with my comment, that’s perfectly fine. I don’t see it as extreme pride, I see it as a sense of extreme entitlement, I am wrong and expect/entitled to be strong at the same time. People have lost their sense of pride in the BVI a long time ago. See/look at it for the way it is. Honestly, most people doesn’t know or fully understand what Extreme Pride means.

    Like 2
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  24. Vg Real says:

    Dr. PICK

    As BVislanders we also suffering from deals You and your fellow politicians have madeb on both sidesto benifit your selves , not country. Case and point the renewal of the 99 year lease with LDB in VG with out consulting the public. Deals with ONB. We are suffering from your Greed.

  25. Pride and Mankind says:

    It is this same pride that established plantation slavery. It is same pride that is now establishing Island slavery. It is the same pride that lead Europe to two world wars. It is the same pride that is now destroying Eastern Europe and the middle East. Whenever we start seeing others as laser human being it always leads to destruction.

  26. Wdll Said. says:

    Mr. Pickering. Thank you. I remember some 37 yrs ago when I just came to Tortola I had an Illness and I was broke. I went to your resident seeking help and you helped me for free. You gave me a prescription.I got the medication.. I got well. You always in my thought as a good man..The sad news is that I am living in the Fat Bogs Bay area. Living here for some 40Plus yrs but I never got the chance to vote for you. Because I can’t get my Belonger application approved after being in more than 10yrs. Oppression is real. I do have for a long time resident status.All my children and grand children born in the BVI. So forgive me Mr. Pickering. I am one who in favour of a Britain take over..

    Like 1
    Dislike 1
  27. Same pride says:

    It is the same pride accompanied by envy, jealousy and hatred that caused you to leave the NDP because Myron and Marlon won the party elections. That same pride you’re talking about is what caused you to run independent because you didn’t want to be under Myron them. That same pride made you lose your seat to Wheatley because if you had stayed with the NDP he could not beat you. Now your pride got you outside looking in and begging to come back in government. So I guess you are talking about yourself Dr. Pickering.

  28. Desmond Hodge says:

    Kedrick Pickering. There is daily drug dealing going on right infront of property you are responsible for everyday…. Have you address this menace to the community. Last time I check Marijuana and other Narcotic drugs were still illegal in the virgin Islands….ALL of the Virgin Islands.

    Like 4
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    • @ Desmond Hodge says:

      The man is a Doctor for Christ sake; not a RAT or an undercover agent, he does not want to destroy another persons life for something so simple as Marijuana its the cocaine we are worried about.

  29. LOL@. says:

    Off subject a bit, hope none of you ladies in Tortola that likes Beyoncé don’t be walking around in cowboy hats and cowboy boots this Summer or you will get some serious side shade.

  30. @doc says:

    Not getting enough from the NHI/gov nipple?

  31. April Vanterpool says:

    You cannot speak for me Mr.Doctor.

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