‘Indigenous Virgin Islanders’ must be respected
Opposition Leader Myron Walwyn has stated that those with the strongest ancestral ties “must be respected at all times” in the BVI.
Those deemed to have the strongest ancestral ties are called “indigenous Virgin Islanders”—persons who can trace their Virgin Islands ancestry back three or more generations.
Walwyn said society must be sensitive to the concerns and fears of this group, especially since they are a minority in a country to which they are deeply connected.
“Any country where the ancestral people are so few in number compared to everybody else, you have to be sensitive to it. You must be sensitive to the concerns and fears, you have to be,” the Sixth District Representative said while debating the UK’s review of law enforcement agencies in the BVI.
Don’t divide based on ancestry
Although ancestral ties are important, Walwyn said they must not be used to divide society, especially since cohesion is necessary to stand against threats like the UK’s latest review, which labels local law enforcement agencies as corrupt.
“All of us call this country home. Whether you’re like me, whose parents weren’t born here but I was born here, you have those who have one parent who was born here, you also have belongers who have rights that were given to them,” Walwyn expressed.
“But this chopping up of our people for political purposes to make some believe that they belong and others don’t, those things aren’t helpful to us because right now all of us within these borders are under attack here,” Walwyn stated emphatically.
Walwyn’s statements come amid a recently revived debate that has questioned his legitimacy as Opposition Leader since he is considered to be a first-generation Virgin Islander and not an indigenous Virgin Islander.
While the debate continues, the D6 representative said these social constructs must be put to rest in favour of a greater fight for the future of the territory.
“While you fight against your own people, who are your ancestral people from Africa, other people from across Europe are coming and taking up what you have. We need everybody to hold hands together to improve our home, that is what we should be doing, not creating division for politics,” Walwyn said.
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First you bash down islanders
After they become resident you bash residents
After they become belonger you bash Belongers
All to protect the “Indiginous” Virgin Islanders
Racism is real in the BVI..
I agree ‘Love it’.
But I interpret it, not so much as racism, but as triblism. And the tribes consist of favoured families.
It’s nationalism which is often coupled with facism. It’s part of the culture with a lot of people
You speaking good but I hope this is not another one of your tricks to win the locals over .
When Myron was a member of Cabinet, he said nothing could be done to protect BVIslanders’ jobs. I must believe anything he say again about protecting BVIslanders. It would be a cold day in hell.
Let him stay out of our Cabinet.
Happy you remembered that;same here.
Walwyn very cunning, very good with words. Hopefully the others did not forget.
How you know what was said in cabinet?
I love Myron’s take. I think the so call indigenous were only being bashed by others because they were bashing him for not being one of them. Return love for hate is the message here. More shame on John and CSC, so call indigenous and so call pastors. My vote is with Myron all day, every day. Let love prevail in these islands.
Here we go, using the words ‘indigenous people’ to describe people whose ancestors were brought from Africa 100s of years ago.
What you ignore is that by using those words you are disrespecting the REAL indigenous people of the region and the world.
Those words are used to describe the native peoples of the world who had lived on the islands and continents of Earth for thousands of years before Europeans and others came and stole them.In this region it was Boriqua or Tainos and Caribs or Kalinago. Many of those people live here now, still.
By stealing their name you are erasing their story – which is a different story to ours.
I know you think it is an act of rebellion, but in truth it just makes us look ignorant, and disrespectful of the indigenous people among us.
Does it change Walwyn’s point that ancestral BVIslanders need respect? Of course not. Just speak respectfully if you want to be respected.
This man is stoking this issue for political gains and has been doing it for ever. He knows the numbers and after claiming he cannot represent the interests of Virgin Islanders is now hungrier for power and trying cunningly to exploit issues around nationally allegiances, given the make up of BVI population political inroads. It is despicable what he is doing.
Very well put Myron. I see a high level of maturity here. This is the type of leadership that the BVI needs.
Walwyn speaks as a true statesman, not someone who is insecure and has an inferior complex. I am sorry for the “indigenous virgin islanders” who want their cake and eat it. they want expats to do everything for them, then treat them like slaves, and think it hard to raise a minimum wage. At the end of the day, maltreat them for not being “indigenous virgin islanders”. But the truth is, we are all indigenous to Earth, for not one of us come from Mars Jupiter or any other planet. BVI must have no second class citizen. Treat everyone as first class citizens if they are citizens, and it shall be well with the BVI. Stop the hate, Jehovah don’t like it.
Why don’t you go back where you came from talking foolishness. Using Jehovah’s name to appear as an angel of light, you seed of the devil is not fooling anyone. Adonai is not pleased with you (and I pray that he deals with your accordingly). Mind your business and stop making stupid comments when BVIslanders are protecting what belongs to them. You will surely reap what you have sown. And when you do, do not be asking why me? Accumulating curses on yourself for chatting foolishness about BVIslanders wanting their cake and eating it too.
We need to hurry up implement the work permit rotation so people like you could be removed from the BVI. Treat like slaves? There are BVIslanders who are paid minimum wage as well. Your ignorance is overwhelming. If the wages are so bad, then why are you here? Do us all a favour and look work in another country.
You cannot threat everyone as 1st class citizen? Life is not like that.
Roger Burnett go on your way….you have a closet full of stuff.
Thank you Myron! Finally an adult is in the room. I wish I could like this times
he just using this issue to gain points: it backfire on he already. Leave this one alone boss: it nah gon help you.
The Taino, Arawaks and Caribs going to finally get the recognition they deserve. Next, only they will be allowed in the HOA and to be able to vote.
Sounds like you’re saying we all should suck up to those having big family names and the rest of aren’t but peons to look down to.
Well, why don’t you just give every belonger a get out of jail free card!
I get it. It is your country. 2/3 of us that live here not belongers.
Can you just be a little less of an A-Hole about it!?
“Indigenous” Virgin Islanders would represent a much larger percentage of the population if their mamas hadn’t run to St. Thomas to give birth, so they would have US passports. How many of the politicians only have a BVI passport? They did exactly what they now criticize others for doing.
The madness, and miseducation that belies this place is appalling.
It would be my greatest pleasure to meet one. May he/she come forward and prove they are indeed an indigenous Virgin Islander. Receipts please. Just the receipts. Thanks.
Why does anyone have to prove anything to you or anyone else about their ancestry? It seems to me that only those that do not consider themselves indigenous Virgin Islanders have a problem. I was born in the BVI, a little dot on the map, to Virgin Island parents and grandparents and great greats. And I love my country and am so sad that perzsons feel that this conversation about who belongs or don’t belong is something that we need to hear about daily.
For God in Heaven’s sake, we are but a dot on the map. Is this necessary? Every other person you meet, when not in the BVI, I guess, they pronounce their heritage and wear it on their sleeves, Jamaicans, Trinidadians, Thomians, everyone. Persons who have lived here for over 20 years still have Associations here in their country’s names, flying their flags. But the BVI is so special that we have to apologise for being born here? We don’t need this in our country. It is sad and trust me, it is not brought on by indigenous Virgin Islanders. Most of us are quietly moving around and looking around our country and hardly recognise anyone. We smile when we see someone we grew up with and went to primary school with. It is becoming a strange land where it feels that those who have come among us are not humble and need to out do, out speak, out perform, overthrow and basically lose their doggone minds. Where is this? Is this my little BVI? It’s sickening. Is it coventousness? Is it that yoou love the BVI so much that those that are privileged to actually be indigenous makes you a little jealous? What the hell is it? It is sickening. Get over it. It makes me sick.
The Taino indians are the indigenous people of the area. Not the Africans brought by slave traders
Sir, you mysteriously left out the Caucasion group here and abroad, who are vying to do pirates and colonialist moves on these islands again.
Who has been and still are the authentic tribalist it is asked? Not all are dumb and non readers you know.
I would hate to know his opinion of work permit holders.. yikes