Parsons’ VI Day comments spark heated heritage debate
Comments made by former legislator Eileene Parsons during a panel discussion to observe Virgin Islands Day yesterday have elicited a spirited debate among members of the public.
Parsons was speaking at the H Lavity Stoutt Community College when she made the remarks that she described as her very personal opinion.
“A Virgin Islander has to be able to trace his parentage back three generations of Virgin Islanders on both sides,“ Parsons stated in a widely viewed Facebook video clip of the panel discussion.
BVI’s Xenophobia
The former legislator who was previously awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE), prefaced her comment by stating that she made “absolutely no excuse” for her comments.
The ensuing public debate is about the significance and appropriateness of Parsons’ statement.
Another former legislator, Myron Walwyn, who commented on his Facebook page said the remarks should not be viewed in isolation.
“They (Parsons’ remarks) are a part of the xenophobia that we need to rid our country of,” Myron Walwyn stated. He further argued that the strength of the Virgin Islands lies in its diversity.
Some social media users felt that Parsons’ remarks were archaic and should have remained private as they only served as divisive rhetoric.
Others though, felt that the former legislator was entitled to her opinion and said persons should simply respect it and move on.
In the meantime, another panellist at the forum, Bria Smith, suggested that there needed to be a re-definition of the term Virgin Islander for it to be viewed as more inclusive.
“In this time that we are in, and I guess in this generation that I am in as well, we can rarely find persons that can trace themselves back to that group of persons,” Smith stated.
“Though I can trace my heritage as far back as that, the majority of persons in my age group today cannot. So, the perspective of being a Virgin Islander has changed over the years and I think it has to – I guess all of us now – have to really define or redefine what that looks like,” Smith added.
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Not really. Old people have old out of date opinions. Younger people have more modern opinions though sometimes immature.
This women do not like down Island people, point blank! Can you imagine after so many years, she is still looking at people who were born in this Virgin Island as outsiders even if their mother is from here?
And ask her about her children and grandchildren? Not true bvilanders but dem reaping the benefits of the indigenous bvilander. ” $100 bill” pure ignorance!Another reason for the COI!!
Well, she may not like them, BUT she will hire them to do work on or around her house. The same $100 she said some of them never saw….is the same $100 SHE pays them. Let it make sense sister Parsons
Yh bout they want our vote…
These are the same set of people they went and push the greedy bill to help and protect. Imagine there are more Virgin Islanders with outside parents who is footing her bills to keep her on her foot, and this is the disrespect we and outsiders continues to get from her. I would tell her go sit down but she is already doing that.
She need to stop spreading hate and division.
Yes, she needs to stop spreading hate and division in this little Territory but some like to look down on others to much and won’t let our generation just love the BVI. I think the BVI is truly a beautiful place to life.
The stinking division I can’t deal with. Full breed looking down on half breed, half breed looking down on born here, born here looking down on down island born elsewhere and the list goes on. Sometimes persons do this to fit in the culture of hate and looking down on others. The ignorance
Well Ms. P set the record straight. Can’t say I agree but it should hold some of us.
Bring Back St Ursula’s Day. This Virgin Islands Day is a farce and is being used to promote hate. We are better than this.
Women are conveyors of culture. Believe me there are many young ppl that share her bigoted perspective. When I begin to forget her, they always bring her back
i assume she will be handing in her UK passport then.
She should go back where she came from
Check back the lineage and see how many first and second cousins are married and have children together.
Maybe the thing sweeter when it’s their cousins
Deep Appalachia Mountains (Cousin on Cousin style)? Hmmm That’s what you get when you are a bigot and xenophobic and don’t introduce new ppl to your space.
every country in the eastern Caribbean and I would say the entire world .not only the bvi
No matter how few,how many BVIslander us an identifier .
Arawak,Taino,will always bean identifier. How many are there?
Stop believing in a fabricated narrative. Have you ever seen a taino.
No, bc the Spaniards annihilated them all.
There are descendants in St. Thomas of both Caribs and Taino and there are descendants of several tribes in the Bahamas.
Their descendants also still remain in Puerto Rico.
As you know, boricua and borinquen are Taino words.
The alternative would have been to alter the gene pool and create a population of cannibals,human sacrificing, which is still evident in such places.
As a result,they remained humanistic, peaceful with high intelligence,resourceful and self-reliant.
Creating a BVI where investors and investments remained safe. Creating a BVI for all including,shortsightedly and unfortunately the fo rever poverty stricken cannibals of lower human characteristics.
And her statement only reinforces the fact that the BVI=Apartheid and that only the dozen ruling families along with their 2000 disgusting relatives should have any day in the BVI. Governor please abolish Bekongership and save the Territory.
Haul your SALTY a$$!!! BVI does not have apartheid or xenophobia. That narrative you are all pushing is BS! Protectionists we are! I wholeheartedly agree with Ms. Parsons. Ayo trying to be King or Queen in another person’s country! Arawaks and Caribs repeat all over again. Go conquer your own home!
This is why she left the NDP and went to form PVIM. She didn’t want nobody who is not 3 generations on either side being the leader of the country. She ended up getting one but look where he brought us.
Is this the same Eileen Parsons OBE who allegedly said “Many of the Island People Among Us Never Saw A $100 Bill Until They Arrived In The BVI”?
Or words to that effect….?
Yes indeed. t’was the same granny.
Is the f$#king TRUTH! Even the people from the north never stay in a house with a pool; only lived in flats,
Thank you Ms Parsons.
BVIslander is an identity which encompasses a distinctive character of the mind spirit and soul as it is in all countr I esxand locations.. VIslanders are proud to be called and identified as such no matter where they go or how long they have been gone, Others are understandably ashamed of their heritage and countries which they created. I too am ashamed of the countries they have created and cringe at their innate character.
You don’t chose where you are born and you don’t create a culture if you are born into it.
Your logic is that you are superior to others because you happen to be born here, and you infer that those who are born down island, in the USA, UK or somewhere else, should be ashamed because they ‘created’ cultures with ‘innate character’ that you don’t approve of.
Question: Does a BVIslander have any innate character that you are not proud of?
Step down from the high horse and look carefully – you’ll notice that we are all human and all equal in God’s eyes.
So now try looking at the BVI as a human, with love and understanding, and accept that all who are from here do not have to be just like you and your grandmother to be valuable souls themselves.
No human is perfect and I did not make that claim.My negative and neither that of BVIslanders as a group, do not negatively impinge on countries and their people where we visit or reside.Their global travel and entries are not restricted. They are not predictably known to law enforcement,Courts and prisons in other places. BV Islanders are not a hindrance or cause for a lack of a sustainable economy and growth in their own country and places to which they migrate..
Not accepting this documented visible truth,facts is one of the characteristics along with the accompanying envy and ingratitude,which continues to keep some Caribbean countries in a fight with destiny.
Are you saying that because BVIslanders don’t have a reputation for bad behaviour in other countries, we are therefore a good people?
Have you thought about the fact there are SO FEW BVIslanders in the world that we are not likely to impact other cultures much at all?
And while you want to see us as a ‘country’ we are not. We are a small group of related people – like Ms Parsons says.
Your analysis is hollow. Just a long way of saying “me and my people better than you and your people”.
We know we are an insecure population, unsure of ourselves and struggling to figure out who we are/should be. But we need to stop this nastiness, BVIslanders. It is against God’s teaching. It is justifying hatred and cruelty and some of us don’t understand just how ignorant all this hate talk is making us look to the outside world.
Embrace who you are ,,Regardless of what others think or,in this case what you believe others think,it makes no difference, what you think and your perception of who you are is what matters and if you are delusional,wellsuch is life.
Who you are is reflected in your behaviour and your life that you carve out.
Your comment sounds exactly like what White Racists would say about Black B.V.Islanders.
Obviously you have internalised hatred of self and thus you detest others who resemble yourself.
Black Skin…White Heart.
My name says it all
Miss P we have your back. You is not a coward because yo does speak your mind.
I always find it funny when people ask my if the BVI is a racist country, I always have to say “No, they generally hate other black people the most…”
The same goes for most migrants. They settle in the BVI, but hate BV Islanders.
So surely that because Bvislanders dislike & are disdainful to them
Because of their envious and jealous behavior. The same goes for those from the north. Cannot be a King or Queen in another person’s country….get it?!
And guess what? They have a choice, no need to be among the disdainful people.
Ethnocentrism prevails heavily in the BVI.
Look at this BS?! Other people other than the VIslander trying their very best to label a Territory and its people. I agree with Ms. Parsons wholeheartedly! If you do not like where you reside then go your a$$ back home! That is not xenophobia nor apartheid; it is protectionism! We are proud of where we are from and Belong; you do the same for your home. Don’t try to create your own narrative for us to suit yourself! Complete freakin BS!
Mr Burnett, what do you have in the UK?
Why is it every time a bvislander defend their country outsiders get upset?
How come yall not defending it from head coach?
It comes from a place of envy and jealousy.
Being proud of your birthplace and your family and yourself,and from birth is a priveledge that most Black folks will never know. and,BVIslanders did it singlehandedly and consistently,
Mek people vex Black or white but for different reasons.
BVIslanders have every right to be proud and protective of their heritage and of their country.
They are an exception to the unwritten rules and expectations. Plenty can be learned from BVIslanders.
Thank You MS Parsons,for your unwavering and tireless contributions to making this place a better place for “we”and for others.
I suppose that Financial Services and Tourism are industries that BVIslanders maintain on their own too. The cognitive dissonance is incredible.
Except in this case, the so-called “outsiders” who are so upset are your fellow BVIslanders.
Complete BS!
Pure envy!
Eileen is a purebred bvislander not no half-breed hybrid
So, is she Arawak, Taino or Carib? Or does it only count 3 generations back?
Pure bred inbred, yep that is the Virgin Islander.
why is it that every time a Virgin Islander especially an indigenous Virgin Islander say something it’s an offense to we half expatriate half belonger?? why??shouldn’t ms p defend her people. vincentians Guyanese Jamaicans Dominicans st Lucians all can defend their country but once a Virgin Islander say something it is questionable. not the British trying to take over .it’s we the expatriate who came to conquer and take control. some of us going stone crazy because the governor pick two expatriate one white one brown because they are not Virgin Islanders. they are belongers and considered Virgin Islanders to some extent. only about 30 or so countries that gives birthright citizenship. most countries give citizenship by decent .
The negro is not indigenous to anyplace other than Africa. Stop saying you are indigenous to the BVI. You are squatters on what was a pristine land that you’ve turned into a crime ridden garbage dump. By the way that is what you do worldwide.
OK. ,but we are BVIslanders, by definition.
Indigenous is a different debate,
What we have done is built this country from the bird park you English caucasoids decreed it to be. And your peoples’ history of raping, murdering, pillaging and plundering reveals you to be a scourge on this planet. You always fail to mention how Virgin Islanders came to this land in the first place.
It Is amazing that the comment of one short sighted British Bureaucrat hundreds of years ago still haunts us that we can recall this comment at every corner we turn in todays modern world. Get a live and move on. History is to guide our action for the future not to wallow and be constrained by it.
Virgin Islanders did not come here. Apparently someone decided at some point you are not a Virgin Islander until you are 3rd generation of both parents. So no VIslanders did not come here. It is a political construct that determines who is a VIslander and one the people who live in the VI would probably be better without.
That statement about bird sanctuary was taken out of context and used as a divisive tool by some politicians. Please read the Proudfoot report.
I am so tired of this argument, if the people mentioning it would know the facts they wouldn’t spout this nonsense. Read your history!
If the phrase “bird sanctuary” leaves your lips at any point unironically, you are not a serious person.
Your point about using the word ‘indigenous’ is valid. BVIslanders use it wrongly, its true, but of course they weep and wail and gnash their teeth and call you a racist if you point out their error.
But your own vile words about ‘the negro’ make you sound like an actual racist. What are you doing here in the Caribbean if you’re so full of hate for black people?
Your comment is a lie and you don’t even know it just repeating what you have been told by the whitewashing of history. The negro is indigenous to many parts of this world including Europe and the new world.
You have a magic trick.
No matter what anyone says, if you don’t like it, you tell them you have inside info that they don’t know, and they are just whitewashed, or racist. It’s magic! And it makes you feel superior, intelligent, better than others. True or not.
Indigenous people of the Caribbean are native Americans like Taino, and Carib, who still exist, despite the destruction of their populations and cultures.
Do you understand how insulting the misuse of this word is to indigenous people? And how simple it makes you look when you pretend to know about it?
Just like how black people were in America before slavery. Are we taught that in school?
ALL LIFE (Civilization) started on the AFRICA. Please do your research.
@ Indigenous: So if the BVI is a garbage dump why not leave and go back to the UK or Europe? You are here because the opportunities here are better that what the UK have to offer. Read your history and see which race has caused the most destruction worldwide. The carnage Belgium perpetrated in the Congo, the Afrikaners in South Africa, toxic to this very day, the English in India, European colonizers to the Native American, look at what was done to the Aboriginal people of Australia? Need I say more?
How come when the word expatriate pops up people target other Caribbean country persons who have the same skin tone ,but tend to forget Arabs, caucasians , Asians who live here and birth their offsprings here also.
Because they are the ones who get offended and start throwing jabs.
I dont agree with Ms. P; 3 generations on BOTH sides? I not even sure if I know someone who meet that requirement. But at the same time it annoys me when all these people who not from here feel like the virgin islands and its laws should be in their favor and they should have every right that somebody who from here has.
There are many.
Ms P is an example.
Most members of Government and employees.
Landowners with acreage of 2+
I agree with Ms P 100%. And I fit the criteria on both sides of my parentage.
The question is Who/What is a Virgin Islander? That is where we will remain bogged down as we cant seem to agree on the answer.
However times are changing and we cant stop change. Its probably changing for the worse too. But its life and one thing for sure is we are all passing through this place.
I am happy that she spoke her bigoted thoughts while she is alive. Ppl like her will spew this trash and then ask you to march with them. Good luck with that.
Every time this woman speaks about Heratige it sparks a controversy. Let us look at her handiwork over time :
With regards to this issue :
1. Caribbean teachers cannot relate to students of the BVI so we need local teachers…. Part of her graduation speech at BVI ceremony years ago
2. Caribbean people never saw 100 $ bills until they came to BvI
3. Dismantle the NDP because Myron as chairperson is not indigenous born here but parents from other Caribbean connections
4. Now this … it shows open prejudice on her part
As a respected icon she needs to rethink
Her mindset . This attitude is only creating more division in a multicultural society. The face of the BVI is changing … Please adopt
As a woman with grandchildren of mixed Caribbean decent (i.e. one of their parents are NOT a BVIslander) you would think her xenophobic ways would have long dwindled away. By her standards, none of them fit the requirements, so, does she denounce her own grandchildren as BVIslanders or are they the exception to her bigotry?
Parsons racist and xenophobic views do not represent me, and have no place in today’s BVI. We need to call it for what it is. If it were a white person, we would be marching.
I guess I am sh** out of luck mother side goes back more that 3 generations but not father side,
ME TOO! Lol, lol!
Please define –
Who is a Jamaican, Kittian, Dominican, etc.
Why get offended when Virgin Islanders are being defined? Truth be told, every country has a primary definition of who their people are.
I’ve lived other places and I’ve never desired to take that country’s people definition as to myself. I experienced their culture and have learnt a lot. I never felt excluded by their definition of who they are.
So, those who are offended or feel excluded by the definition of a Virgin Islander, I respectfully say’that’s your problem – deal with it!’
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but too many of us who post are very divisive. For example, using slander such as Virgin Islanders are inbred. As to this, many elders would say that you can only speak from your experience.
A born here Virgin Islander to the Nth generation.
(I hope you post this in its entirety as I’m truly tired of visitors wanting to have things fashioned to suit them.)
Fu#$ing Amen, Shalom, Ashe!!!!
Miss Parsons and all who agree with her diabolical comments realise how many Virgin Islanders is married and have children for persons from other countries? I am a Virgin Islander and i would not dream of making such comments she is out of place.
No human is perfect and I did not make that claim.My negative and neither that of BVIslanders as a group, do not negatively impinge on countries and their people where we visit or reside.Their global travel and entries are not restricted. They are not predictably known to law enforcement,Courts and prisons in other places. BV Islanders are not a hindrance or cause for a lack of a sustainable economy and growth in their own country and places to which they migrate..
Not accepting this documented visible truth,facts is one of the characteristics along with the accompanying envy and ingratitude,which continues to keep some Caribbean countries in a fight with destiny.
I want to be with you. Ms P But my great grandfather came from Antigua,so am I am not sure now if I am a true Virgin Islander.
I am a real BVIslander as my heritage goes back to the canoe riding days. No black people were around then but we were drifters and left the island for more larger ones with more resources.
Too bad that some folks cannot love themselves nor their country nor their heritage.
BVIslanders ,exhibit pride and self love with desire and actions for self preservation,to an extent that is uncomfortable for some and most especially, Black Caribbean where the self hatred of the people is endemic and is dastardly evident long after the Black is Beautiful and continues in Black Lives Matter currently.
All this despite the BVISLANDERS graciously and generously opening their country to them in a too wide and regrettable manner that has eroded the quality of life for BVIslanders.
I know as people age they say what’s on their mind without filtering for consequences, but my dear some thoughts need to stay within the walls of your home or head honey. You have generations of nieces and nephews who LOVE the BVI and are Belongers…barely on the maternal side only, but don’t meet your criteria. Imagine if the USA applied those standards to BVIers, you and your heirs. Oh dear, where would they be in terms of education, personal development, health care, SNAPs benefits (a cost BVI could not bare on its own), wealth etc.
Certainly, it is not your intention to disinherit your people is it….certainly not as loving and caring as you are. In addition, the BVI would be 3rd world if you apply those standards you espouse, my dear. Belongership has to based on humane immigration policies and not a political vote generating exercise to be changed at will.
Her “very personal opinion “ don’t mean sh** to me.
My passport Blue… I dont give a s**t what she says…
She automatically eliminated a whole heap of people that I know. But then again, that’s her opinion, which she is entitled to.
I applaud this senior for boldly articulating what many of us think but do not say.
As Virgin Islanders, we should not be ashamed of our culture, or be ready to water it down to please persons who come to live among us.
I hear criticism about old fashioned thinking. The founding fathers of the United States of America wrote their constitution way back, from 17th June, 1778 and it remains the guiding light even today. Why do we have to amend our definition of a Virgin Islander to please the masses who tolerate us but are only interested in what they can squeeze out of us and our islands?
I hear criticism about our being related to each other. People, it is not like a half dozen persons were living on isolated rocks here and began interbreeding. Research our history. Is it any different from yours?
I hear criticism about revisiting the definition of a Virgin Islander and I stand by the personal opinion the former legislator voiced. Virgin Islanders three generations back include me, my spouse, our children and countless other sons and daughters who proudly bear that title.
Mind you, people. The Caribs, Arawaks and the Tainos were wiped out from around our islands. Don’t let the same thing happen to bona fide Virgin Islanders.
Who the cap fit let um wear it.
Hatred and intolerance is not a “culture.”
Hawl your envious, jealous sk$nt!!!
I agree with this statement 1000%
whenever a Virgin Islander stand up for themselves, we are critized and demoralized. If we continue to water down our culture, our heritage, our values to evolve with the new generation, we will remain with NOTHING
Raci* Parson!!! Not for the colour of skin..but for your ethnicity!!!
**t**
To me… if you born here, you a Virgin Islander…. Simple.
Hold on a minute where did you get your Christopher Come Buss Us Education? Are you for real? Earth is a melanated planet and was populated by people of color from pole to pole. There are indigenous colored people on every continent and population. Try to fool those who are victims of your twisted narrative. Some of us know the truth. In many places the indigenous populations have been slaughtered while the few left are being left out of the spotlight but they do exist. For those of you with doubt about this fact do some research and you will be surprised at what you will uncover. What the media highlights is not the true picture. Its all meant to promote White Supremacy and its narrative. India is home to Indians cut the crap. The truth is showing.
they say age is honor / and I respect a person who is outspoken / atleast they speak their mind , like it or not . Right or wrong , but you will know who you are dealing with , and she is not the only one like that kind of e**l mentality within / that outsiders came t take away / rule ,/ control etc and there are those wannabe aristocracts who
uses that same evil mentality to create hatred and division amongst ourselves in order to cover their CLANDISTINE OPERATION / ACTIVITIES ,( SADLY
What’s even worse than Eileen spewing this kind of hate at her old age and thinking that it’s going to die soon with her and others like her, is the unbelievable fact that a whole heap of other much younger people share this view so there is no end in sight.
The UK will soon define what a Virgin Islander is by way of the constitutional reform so keep playing checkers while they play chess.
they say age is honor / and I respect a person who is outspoken / atleast they speak their mind , like it or not . Right or wrong , but you will know who you are dealing with , and she is not the only one like that kind of evil mentality within / that outsiders came t take away / rule ,/ control etc and there are those wannabe aristocracts who
uses that same e**l mentality to create hatred and division amongst ourselves in order to cover their CLANDISTINE OPERATION / ACTIVITIES ,( SADLY
Why don’t she and everyone in her family return their UK and US-passports since they are not real UK- or US-people. Put your money where your mouth is.
Do you know for certain that she and her family members have all these passports you are referencing?
With that statement, it tell’s me that our Dep.Governor fall short.
..And THIS should be the defining statement going forward,in the Constitution, of who TRUE Belongers, are!
Thank You, Honourable Parsons for affirming my identity as a “TRUE” Belonger!
I will, however, never deny Belongers with mixed nationalities, their heritage, because many of my cousins are of such, and I love them dearly.
This is, after all, the opinion of one person, and therefore does not speak for the opinions of all Belongers, in the country.
But a statement like this, coming from an esteemed lady such as this-lionhearted in nature, will always, speak volumes!
She is, after all, a BVIslander, to the tenth power!!!
I almost say go and sit down with your nonsense … The same expatriate paying tax for the same vehicle them have you a.. driving you around and buy gas plus the greedy bill for raci* self.
Only “the expats paying taxes for the same vehicle them have her driving around in????”
It’s a sick society who defines themselves more by who they exclude than who they include. See: Donald Trump’s wall. No wonder this place is on life support.
What an up hill battle
All Caribbean people are proud of their heritage including VI . The Life is a living and dying process ; immigration is a movement of entering and leaving, protecting one’s country is correct . The problem comes in when people begin to have ; intermarriage , having children with other Nationalities , global investments, steady flow of skill workersf from else where in all sectors of the society , population growth , expansion in every faucet – banking system, education, infrastructure, etc
Now that was not the BVI in the early 50-80
Today progress bring changes . The older 80 generation feels threatened so they push this narrative of pure bred generation BVI
They have drummed it into their children head that anyone else is coming to inherit their lands etc . They have not yet learned how to exist and embrace others . So they would do anything to hold that power
It is slipping away . The greed of the premiet and thr lack of people to push back has brought us to our knees
We are never getting back to where we operate as a people
All you have to do to realise how much a mistake this is, is to consider what would happen if this same statement came from a white, English politician in the UK.
This would disenfranchise all legal immigrants over the past century. All those that have blended into and become part of society. All those that are now serving as MP’s in the House of Commons. All those that represent England or GB in sports.
I believe it would be treated as a hate crime and an arrest would follow.
IS SAYING ( I SAID IT , LIKE IT OR NOT , I DON’T GIVE A ? SH*T ,) WELL SO MUCH FOR THOSE WANNABE
ARISTOCRATS WHO HOLLERING OUT } OUR CARIBBEAN BROTHERS AND SISTERS
Jamaica cuba have ppl with Taino blood
My opinion. To me it’s not really that troubling about the statement she said. She is just stating what she thinks or feel what a Virgin Islander is. People please be not alarmed with what she thinks. Who we need to be alarmed of is the politicians who hold the same sentiments as her because they would seek your vote and don’t acknowledge you as” one of them” and want your X on Election Day. Who we also need to be alarmed of is businesses who’s owners are of the same opinion and seek your dollars.
The Virgin Islander is watered down and Ms p is scared. Even people in her family would watered down in a matter of time
Since she kill our August festival it never bounce back back, talking bout music to loud ,womam dressimg to skimpy, i guess we r.not africam descend, now to hav a good time i hav to go abroad to enjoy myself jumping up in my underwear