COMMENTARY: Examining BVI culture amidst Immigration pressures
By Justin J. Blyden, Contributor
Over the past year, immigration has become a hot-button topic in the Virgin Islands society, with arguments that appeared to be rooted in a defence of VIslanders, Virgin Islands culture, and the general Virgin Islands way of life.
Public voices and discussions around immigration policy have revealed a lot of misplaced thoughts about Virgin Islands culture being eroded by immigrants to the territory.
The purpose of this article is not to discuss the pros and cons of the state of immigration in the Virgin Islands today. Instead, as the Territory celebrates the newly rebranded, ‘Virgin Islands Day’, I want to tackle the fallacy that Virgin Islands culture and way of life is under direct threat because of the influx of immigrants.
I’d like to present an interdisciplinary perspective to challenge this idea, starting with dissecting culture and ending with recommendations for fellow Virgin Islanders.
What is culture?
Culture can be defined as ‘how things are done’. Culture at its core is abstract and consists of ideas, values, and perceptions that inform behaviour. Those behaviours and the rituals that develop are cultural expressions. Though the representation of a culture can be obvious, passing on the actual culture is usually more abstract and happens via relationships and traditions.
What happens at the intersection of immigration and culture?
Immigration is not intrinsically bad but should operate within the constraints of a core economic principle; the law of scarcity. This principle outlines that economic resources (land, labour, capital, and entrepreneurship) are limited and not infinite. When immigration policy does not operate within this economic theory, or there is a perception that it does not, that is when immigration as a matter becomes problematic.
I believe that the core aspect driving the discourse on the immigration policy in the territory has roots in this law of scarcity … How many immigrants to the Virgin Islands are too much? Will there be enough [land, labour, etc.] for VIslanders in their homeland? Will a prolonged imbalance in immigrants and citizens erode VI culture? All great questions but consider this idea … Virgin Islands culture (along with cultural traditions and expressions) can only be eroded if VIslanders choose to abandon them.
We would have to collectively hide our light behind a bushel. Do understand, immigrants bringing their culture and practising their own cultural expression is not diametrically opposed to Virgin Islands culture flourishing in these Virgin Islands.
How do we maintain Virgin Islands culture?
Since culture is most easily embodied in behaviour, Virgin Islands culture will need to be amplified and modelled via intentional signalling and storytelling by those who authentically carry the culture. This highlights the importance of cultural expressions: carolling at Christmastime, religious assembly, Fungi music, and tales of Boysie, the Boy Louie, and Captain Henley and Ella-Gifft.
These examples themselves are not the culture; instead, the culture is nestled in ideas and values driving these behaviours. As we seek to preserve, activate, and transfer Virgin Islands culture while balancing the effects of immigration, consider the following:
1. CHARACTER – Strong character and knowledge of self are uniquely yours. The cultural expressions that we associate with the Virgin Islands are built on deeper notions: being industrious, caring for the family/the village, and honouring and celebrating life. Continue to embody these mindsets and behaviours that espouse what it means to be a Virgin Islander.
2. CIVILITY – Don’t lose sight of polite and courteous interactions with others. Consider the lowest common denominator – humanity. When we strip away the surface level trappings that might otherwise seek to divide us, including geographic and national origin, we can maybe offer everyone a level of grace in life, living, and livelihood.
3. COMMUNITY – Understand that it is not us against them; it is not ‘all ah we’ and ‘none ah dem’. As tiny as this Territory is, we share space and thrive in a symbiotic relationship that benefits everyone. Immigrants provide profound benefits to the economic and social construct of the Virgin Islands and by extension, Virgin Islanders themselves.
There is so much happening in the world with an economic impact to the Virgin Islands, including immigration. We can safely acknowledge that Virgin Islands society has evolved with the generations and that has impacted demonstrations of cultural expression.
However, unless we have totally moved away from whence we came, Virgin Islands culture is still alive and well, as long as Virgin Islanders and generations to come, continue to represent it.
Justin J Blyden, a Virgin Islander, is an interdisciplinary leader who leverages a mix of business acumen and relationships to help companies meet strategic goals. He leads teams to design, develop, and deploy procedures to solve complex business challenges for some of the world’s largest multinational companies.
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What a great perspective youngman. Keep focussed
Very well written,they need to get you on a board if your not on one already. Your articles are the definition of a well rounded and level headed virgin islander
How does an article about culture turns into an economic conversation. This article should have been divided into two parts. Address culture on it’s own merit then discuss how a perceived shift in traditional BVI culture is driven by the economics of survival due to abandonment by the Brits after cotton and sugar was not longer king as the soil was depleted.
The new generation could care less about true BVI culture as it’s a hoge pogue of what’s at home and what’s on TV around the globe. Therefore lack of understand of self. I do however applaud the handsome author of the article.
You obviously totally missed the point of this, but sure, feel free to continue to define your “culture” by being bitter and resentful about stuff done by people who died hundreds of years ago, and see how far it gets you.
A poorly written article. It has no substance and fuels segregation. If you are going to write, focus on maintaining a strong culture. Do not bring in immigration. I don’t see the relevance. But here’s some schooling for you, free of cost or, perhaps look at culture from this perspective. We black folks are all descendants of slaves, and might I add, I am proud of who I am. Now, history shows that the slaves were distributed, (apologies for that word but that is how it was) in many many Caribbean Islands. Now this culture you speak of would have been basically the same amongst our fellow Caribbean black folks. Here is the bad part about your immigration nonsense and culture bullshyte. Our fellow black brothers and sisters from the other Caribbean islands are here with similar culture: the food, dress, songs, dance, family values; yet we have to tolerate so much hate from these islands and simply because you define us by nationality. You want to talk about preserving your BVI culture? Talk about how humble we are, how we treat people with respect despite race, religion or class. We have come a long way as a people and we must be open to diversity. You need to rewind and come again son. Change your perspective or we will forever be in mental slavery.
To discuss culture and immigration perhaps it would help to narrow down the definition of culture instead of using it as a term to describe “how things are done”. Because by that definition culture can vary depending on the household and even the individual.
You are so correct. I can think of several individuals who depending on household church they attended, private vs. BVI public school and socialization would defin cultural norms and values very different from me and each other.
I grew up in the BVI at the height of what the author and others toot as culture yet right or wrong, my great grandparents viewed festivals and other cultural celebrations as idol worship. Before anyone starts, they were good old fashioned road town Methodist church Methodists. Point being my prospective on cultural and what I value as BVI culture and how I relate to my brothers and sisters from other Caribbean islands were framed by how they raised me, completely different from how some other’s perspectives were frame. There was no divisive conversations at home.
New comers who struggled to make ends meet my granny would make sure they always had a meal if she had one. She invited them to come and visit with us during the weekends. Those we some of my best memories of community and culture in the bvi.
Pop down to Clarence Thomas and get some filler for that chip on your shoulder.
It’s okay to admit when something we went over your head
My dislike was in error (big thumb). It’s actually a like.
Thoughtful analysis of ANYTHING is so rare these days!
Thank you Mr. Blyden for reminding us that BVIslanders have a complex and symbiotic relationship with outsiders that requires us to look at the issue with clear eyes and not talk about it in a blind and damaging manner. Respect to you, sir.
Well written and fitting with, whats has been going on. Good job young man
Culture = traditions
This is a good effort at presenting your view on a topical and current issue.
However, as an immigrant here, the suggestion that VI culture includes civility is something that i struggle with and cannot agree is widespread.
In part, this does exist, but i would not agree that this is a founding pillar of your culture (at least towards immigrants). I have travelled extensively throughout this part of the world and i must say that the Virgin Islands culture is generally one of the more hostile towards immigrants and outsiders (unless they are cashed up and clueless tourists).
There are good and bad everywhere, but here more so that anywhere else i have travelled, there appears to be a toxic culture towards those from outside.
Welcome people on your terms as you set them, but if you do, they should be treated as you treat any other of your “own”.
So true