Take back our Emancipation Village!
Bishop John Cline has warned residents that he may be forced to take matters into his own hands if they don’t do better at passing along a legacy that is reflective of the rich cultural heritage and natural resources that the BVI has.
“We are destroying — we don’t even call it ‘Nature’s Little Secret’ anymore, cause the secret is out. We are destroying our great inheritance and our gift, because we have become an arrogant people, high-minded and self-serving,” Cline said while speaking during the annual Sunday Morning Well Service held as part of the recently concluded emancipation celebrations.
The service, traditionally held on August Monday in Road Town in reflection of the struggles and triumphs of the BVI’s foreparents, featured remarks from Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley, in addition to Cline and other guest speakers.
Cline criticised officials for inviting gun-wielding, drug-promoting, gangster-like characters to be featured as guest artists on the emancipation stage at the Festival Village.
“The colonisers are not doing that to us, we are doing that to ourselves, least we forget. Come on now,” the Bishop said.
He questioned the sincerity of leaders and their intent for the annual Emancipation Festival celebrations, condemning the absence of photographs of past leaders in the Festival Village.
“Where are the pictures of those who have gone before us so we do not forget on whose shoulders we stand? Our heroes are not on display. And then, where are our children? What do we teach them? Coney Island?” Cline asked.
Cline rebuked officials for making entrance to the Coney Island area of the village free and questioned whether officials felt it was something good that they were doing.
“We need to teach [children] their history in that same village. It’s Emancipation Village, not a bacchanal. We need to take back our emancipation village,” the outspoke Bishop urged.
He continued: “And you know I could start a riot if I wanted to, so I’m sending you good warning. Don’t let us shut you down, because we know where the breaker box is.”
Bishop Cline also called for the return of school skits about emancipation and candlelight vigils to the festival.
“Is that not a place where we should come together as families with thanksgiving to pay homage to this memorial and our ancestors and give thanks to the God of our salvation?” Cline asked.
Since the Bishop’s comments, Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley has argued that the territory’s melting pot of different cultures and other influences are the most likely reasons behind the new look of the BVI’s signature cultural event.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
Yawn
Sad man trying to stay in spotlight and maintain his relevance.
Just sad
interested in this preacher’s opinions.
This the dude ayo say building school in Africa while the ones here where he from falling apart?
He continued: “And you know I could start a riot if I wanted to, so I’m sending you good warning.
Wow is all I have to say.
We have become an arrogant people, high-minded and self-serving,” LOOK IN THE MIRROR MY FRIEND
Take matters for your own life. Let people live. You live already because you … in church and you are on an alter every Sunday preaching.
Just so we get this clear:
This guy is threatening violence (a riot) if he doesn’t get his way with the festival lineup.
I am not sure if he actually read the bible, but threatening with violence is really not in line with Christian values.
someone would take this “Bishop” back…..
He makes some interesting points. The problem here is that the top guy, Premier, doesn’t see a problem with the distasteful display at the parade. BVI People, do not sit back and let your culture be destroyed. The owner/organizer of the troupes, whose members were dressed in poor taste, should be ashamed of their negative contribution to the BVI history and culture. Contrary to what some are saying, it’s not only people from the outside destroying the culture. It’s also the people who were either born here or raised here. These people have no love, fondness or appreciation for true meaning of culture. TAKE YOUR CULTURE BACK!
My exact sentiments! He speaking about himself.
Well, he is actually showing he doesn’t have any Christian Values.
Mob Violence behavior lolol gangsta pastor
The man that has fooled people for decades about paradise in the sky and giving his organization 10% of their earnings to reserve their spot is talking? Did he learn about Jesus and Christianity from our African Heritage? The irony of it all is mind blowing. He is talking about emancipation from Slavery yet is the biggest promoter of the tool used by the masters during the said Slavery times, RELIGION! They gave us God/Bible/Church and took the land/resources/knowledge. He seems very confused!!
The Emancipation committee are 99 % BVI slanders . They are the ones who Govt put in place .So the celebration is a reflection of the beliefs and values of the committee members and ALL those in command .
So Bishop do not riot … on the flesh and feathers and expletives in the songs … lead the riot on the Premier, the festival committee, culture and Tourism… The island people did not lead the committees . It us as BVI people who sit back and allow this to take place as long as we get MONEY
Morality goes out the window
We turn a blind eye to the murders .. mum is the word
Our Premier is crimminalized we vex eith the truth
Too late cart has left the barm
What I want them to do next year is make gospel night a paid night and see how much the Christian Community really comes out and support and helps vendors to make a profit. If it’s not a handout they don’t come a place!!!!! Most of the people in the church are poor and are continuously being milked by persons like the one in this article because they stray far from the word and instead do anything to be in the presence and good graces of these pastors they idolize. Who minding them and their bs.
Throw a two week festival in NLB parking lot for you and yours and shut up. After you have lived a life of adultery and greed you want to drop the hammer on everybody else? Go to hell.
I completely AGREE with Bishop. You don’t have to like the messenger to support the message.
Bishop is 100% correct! Any BVIslander or Belonger who doesn’t agree with his message is a sell out and ungrateful for what our respectable and honourable ancestors sacrfificed just so we can have the pride in calling this place our home.
From the artists, to the scandalous costumes, to ridiculous prices to go to our festival, to the Festival Rides area not being more family friendly, to East End losing all relevance, to not having each school represented in the parade, no plait pole,etc. this year’s festival was a failure! A failure to honor our forefathers and a failure in upkeeping VIRGIN ISLANDS heritage and culture.
You have a premier with a Vincentian wife who telling us we must let go of our culture and evolve he said. You think Vincy letting go of their culture? Barbados? St. Kitts? Jamaica? Antigua & Barbuda? But BVI, according to Premier should embrace become more raunchy like Brazil! and forget from whence we came! We are in a sad sad state.
Might as well we had leave the Head Coach to continue his debauchery in this place! In many ways we are now going down a much worse path!
Bishop is right! Whether you like him or not!
Blame the people in charge of the committee . The man free to marry who he wants tou badminded people that is why you all will get lost in your own country . The world is wvolving you moron
The bish is normally distasteful, he is a bit off colour, but raised an important issue, that is greater dignity needs to be accorded the territory’s cultural festivities and there’s no place for debauchery at such functions. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory, I forgave the bish you can too.