Over 20 high-profile politicians, athletes descended from Long Look
A community established some 250 years ago by just 25 formerly enslaved people who bought their freedom has produced more than 20 prominent politicians and world-class athletes, according to historians commemorating the anniversary of the Long Look Estate.
The BVI just commemorated the 250th anniversary of Long Look — regarded as the first free Black community in the Virgin Islands and one of the earliest in the Western Hemisphere. During those celebrations, local historians showed how the tiny community has left an extraordinary legacy that continues to shape the territory today.
Genealogical research presented by historian Bernadene Louis identified 23 current and former legislators in the BVI and the USVI who can trace their ancestry or family connections to the Long Look free people.
Among them are current leaders such as Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, Culture Minister Luce Hodge-Smith and Opposition Leader Marlon Penn. Former leaders include past Premier Dr Orlando Smith, Dr Kendrick Pickering, Leslie Franklin Malone, Terrance Lettsome, Dolores Christopher, Carvin Malone, Vernon Malone, Alfred Frett, Neville Smith and Conrad Maduro.
Dancia Penn, Andre Penn, Omar Hodge, Hubert O’Neal, Alvaro Maduro-Caines, Walwyn Brewley and Eileen Parsons also descended from Long Look. Over in the USVI, former Governor Charles Wesley-Turnbull and former Senator Alicia “Chucky” Hansen also had strong familial connections to Long Look.
“When we examine the history of Long Look, we discovered that its contribution to political leadership is not simply a matter of chance,” Louis said. “Rather, it is a story woven through generations of families whose values of service, integrity, resilience, and civic responsibility have been passed from one generation to the next.”
Louis said much of that leadership can be traced to four women — Margaret Nottingham and her daughters Dora, Eve and Diana — whose descendants established the Potter, Rabsatt and Pickering family lines that became deeply rooted in the community.
Discard the negative stereotype
Historian Ron Potter’s presentation noted that the community has often been unfairly dismissed with the saying that “nothing good can come out of Long Look,” but argued that its history proves otherwise.
“The free people and the early immigrants in Long Look left a legacy of leadership,” Potter said.
He noted that Long Look’s influence extends well beyond politics: Commonwealth champion Dian Crabbe, Olympic finalists Kyron McMaster and Chantel Malone, and Olympian Tahesia Harrigan-Scott were also identified as descendants of the Long Look free people.
“So if the people who represent the Virgin Islands on a world stage have a Long Look ancestry…how could that comment ‘nothing good can come out of Long Look’ apply?” Potter argued.
The historians said Long Look’s enduring legacy demonstrates how a small community founded by formerly enslaved people transformed generations of Virgin Islanders through leadership, public service, education and sporting excellence.
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Who cares, if you gonna single out long look so much just make it its own territory
Whoa Nelly! Whomp, if you are on meds, take a deep breath and make sure you take them before you a serious medical incident.
Ok. Hear us a news flash. The Long Look community is celebrating, commemorating, 250 years of their forebears self-manumission, becoming the first free slave communities in the hemisphere. The Long Look 25 (25 slaves bought their freedom from Samuel and Mary Nottingham for £5) descendants are celebrating their progress and contribution to nation building. Should they not be proud of the path they have travelled.?
Perhaps the best way to pay tribute would be to replace the ill-conceived mishmash shown in the opening photograph with something better.
Post slavery/emancipation in 1834, the Virgin Islands (British) transitioned from a slave colony to a highly stratified structure driven by social status. Road Town, the capital city, was the center, core , of the social status stratification. Communities outside Road Town had a secondary status, residents were stigmatized, including residents from Long Look, not receiving a commensurate of resources.
Moreover attitude ascertain altitude. Nonetheless, the descendants of the Long Look 25, despite the attitude of others, with attitude, determination, purpose, mission, strength,,cohesiveness,etc, worked to contribute immensely to the growth and development of the Virgin Islands and beyond. This is evident in the political arena, government, business, athletics, etc. The Long Look 25 is smiling and resting easy, having smoothly passing the baton.. They can be proud . The phrase, “ Long Look me come from” has a sweet ring and feel to it.
They paid a spiritual price and you can look and see what that arrangement is today.
There are many skeletons in these people’s closets. That stickit in long Look is where much evil was plotted ask Pearline about her grand fathers land going up to Lambert Hill and there are many other instances. All this hoopla is to make Wheatley look good for election.
How does this make Wheatley look good for election when he has done nothing for the district. To say you is one of we? I still ain’t voting for you cus. He has been in office since 2019 and I challenge anyone to name anything he has done in the district for the 7 years he has been there and please don’t tell me about the social home with no structur and the road that has been getting paved for 2 + years. We needed representation for all 7 years, not now that you see people fed up you want to play jack in the box and pop up.Wheatley you are sickening, but I still don’t blame you because you didn’t give yourself the job.I blame the people that voted for you.
The whole “Nothing good comes out of Long Look” hog wash talk comes out of pure ignorance.