Vanterpool backs Parsons’ stance on definition of a Virgin Islander
Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool has offered his support to former colleague Eileene Parsons who has been embroiled in controversy in recent weeks on her perceived definition of who is a Virgin Islander.
Parsons said a Virgin Islander has to be able to trace their parentage back three generations of Virgin Islanders on both sides.
While speaking in the House of Assembly yesterday, Vanterpool indicated that Parsons was correct in her stance.
“Why are you worrying about that? Somebody has to define what an indigenous Virgin Islander is, and Miss Parson defines it. What is the big fuss?” Vanterpool questioned.
“I want to make sure I clarify what I am saying. There are some of us who are Belongers of the Virgin Islands. That is our definition. We are Virgin Islanders based on Belongership. We are Virgin Islanders by adoption but there are those who are Virgin Islanders by being indigenous and there is nothing wrong with that,” Vanterpool said.
“Let us all work together, let us join together. There is nothing wrong with protecting indigenous Virgin Islanders. In the United States, the indigenous United States citizens are protected, they have their own laws. Nothing is wrong with that. I don’t want people to crucify Miss Parsons. Let us get the right decision. If we want to name it indigenous Virgin Islander vs Belonger Virgin Islander, then let us do that,” the Fourth District Rep added.
He said there must be some protections put in place for indigenous Virgin Islanders. Vanterpool said instead of fighting and getting worked up over the comments, all residents must work together to make the place better for everyone who lives and works here.
“Let us stay together as one group. Whether white Belonger, black Belonger, Anguillan Belonger, or Kittitian Belonger, we belong to the Virgin Islands. It does not say that you are indigenous as Miss Parsons qualified by generations going back. That is okay, there is no reason we cannot qualify that in our constitution and give some protections to indigenous Virgin Islanders,” Vanterpool said.
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Someone needs to teach Marky Mark the definition of indigenous. Here you go Marky Mark free of charge which is more than I can say you do in any business that you own:
in·dig·e·nous
/inˈdijənəs/
adjective
originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
The negros of the Territory are only indigenous to one place. Africa. If you would be so kind, please remove yourselves to your indigenous location. Thank you.
Well said
YT stay out our business and worry about the UK, Thanks
Wasn’t he born in Anguilla?
If you are in the BVI please consider removing yourself to your place of origin, there is no place in the BVI for a POS like you. Your racist remarks are disgusting.
We’ll said Kingfish. All the Bekongership upon your advice are to remove themselves and return to the land of their origin. Please don’t forget to pack your own bag you racist pig.
I am not belonger, I can trace my ancestors back to over three generations. I do believe you misread my post, try reading it again, it was directed at that POS who referred to us as NEGROS and want us to move to Africa.Calling me racist does not bother me at all.
You are following a narrative you think millions of Blacks could have come here on any ship. Its a lie we are the indigenous people. The Indians on Hollywood who are all portrayed by white actors did not look so or like these so call Amerindians who are really from mix asian descent.
The real Indians which is short for indigo meaning purple skin are black people. Slavery was not like how the whitewash history portrays it.
LMFAO!!!!! Stop smoking cr@ck bro
The indians were the indigenous people of these islands
Yeah he should be careful as most “belongers” would have to give up their “citizenship”. But three generations is nothing these days. Kids having kids means that within 20 years you have three generations.
In that case everyone is indigenous to Africa. After all Africa is the cradle of civilization. Study your Bible and history together with an open mind and see where it leads you. New words and definition are added to Webster all the time.
By your Webster definition some in the BVI can be defined as indigenous. Three or more generations back their forefathers would have originated in the BVi by birth. The problems is not all who are indigenous will be able to track back that far on both sides due to home births and lack of proper record keeping and in some cases fathers not signing as the daddy during birth for various reasons.
Talk about who suffering from mental health in this country when the leaders making up their own definition of indigenous. The indigenous to the US are the red Indians, heard of them? The indigenous to the Caribbean, including the virgin islands are the Caribs and the Arawaks…heard of them? For f#$%’s sake, the dutch, british and spanish who settled here are more indigenous than the africans they brought later. The Africans that remained are indigenous to africa. What the hell man! The africans were separated and spread across the entire Caribbean. These imbeciles could be fighting against their own bloodline and dont know it. No wonder the world looks at caribbean people as LOST!
let them stop use US dollar here. problem solved. see how fast you will have this little rock to yourself.. we got to learn to live and love together.
But isn’t that why you are here? The US Dollar. You ingrates sicken me.
i born here.. that doesnt mean if something is true i should lie about it..
SO YO TRYING AH TING ? ❓ BUT MISS P WON’T BE FOOLED THAT CHEAP SHOT , YOU SHOULD KNOW HER BY NOW / YO ONLY LOOKING SUPPORT ?
So where he from lol
Where the heck was this dude all the time? All of a sudden, he in the media and have lots to say. Just like the so called Christian Council, who seem to crawl out of their hole all of a sudden. Just sick of all of them now
So you are saying Mark that you have no status to the BVI either.
So basically majority of this place is “belonger virgin islanders” ???
I wouldn’t consider this as backing her, more so just trying to make it less divisive
There is the original and the duplicated bvislander
Respect due!
Back the people’s stance on fixing the potholes in East End.
Action Man knows what one former leader said “anguilla for anguillians”
Hon Vanterpool I have a deep respect for you. You have said it well. There is a difference between indigenous Virgin Islander and belonger Virgin Islander. Thanks for coming to Mrs
Parsons rescue.
What Mark is saying and what the lady said are two different things. Mark is saying we are all virgin Islanders whether by descent, naturalization or by the granting of Belonger status and we need to work together to build this country. What this lady is saying in a very inflammatory way is unless you are from the original families of the BVI on both sides for three generations or more you are an outsider and must be treated as such. This is very much just like the thinking of the UK royal family which they despise and criticized so much. So unless you are a direct descendant of the BVI Royal families on both sides for generations you are an outcast.
No Tree in the Sea my brother.
…on the notion that there are ‘indigenous virgin islanders’?
Im somewhat embarrassed that there are folks in these neck of the woods arguing this crap.
There is no such thing if one understands their history. Everyone of us who has any degree of melanin in our skins can trace our DNA ancestry right back to Africa.
We are NOT indigenous to these shores. Some of you have bought into a lie because you want to be superior to others and exact the privileges you think go along with that. Our ancestors were brought to these part of the world as slaves. Check your history books.
By history these islands had indians living here before black slaves were brought here because they were deemed superior to work the cane fields and would live longer than other races.
Some of you have fallen into one of vestiges of colonialism: classism. Despite all of the improvements in our educational system, some of us who should know better are shamelessly walking around spouting this miseducated untruth.
I was born and raised in the BVI, educated thru high school, but NEVER thought for a second that I was nor am I indigenous to these lands. That would have been ridiculous to assume on its face based on history. I knew better, and many of you should too.
Its a fact that money and elected office does not equate to knowledge.
Now, I understand what I believe is going on here. Folks like myself who were born in the BVI rightfully are in our right to ask what protections and rights do we have as born citizens of the BVI?
What are they? Right to first offers for jobs? Land access? What?
Thats where the debate should be. This discussion should not be framed in terms of indigenous vs non-indigenous because the premise of that argument is false to begin.
What rights and protections do born citizens of the BVI have vs perhaps belongers?
Like every other country, I believe that qualified born BVIslanders should be given a fair shot to achieve whatever they wish in these lands that our grandparents and parents helped created over generations to what it is today inclusive of employment. After all this is our home.
Now I happen to be one of those BVIslanders who has had the opportunity to get higher education elsewhere and achieved significant goals that this country could not provide me for various reason. Despite this, I consider the BVI my home.
I have found no place like it despite my extensive travel. I can always count on my people to say good morning or good evening without been perceived as a criminal because thats who we are as a people. I luv our culture overall and the tranquil peace I feel when I am at home.
Look, I get it. We want to protect what we built over generations, but lets do so in the proper context and stop sprouting off falsehoods.
The BVI is filled with hard working people. The entrepreneurial spirit is strong and alive. We are within our right to look out for ourselves and protect what we and our fore-parents has worked very hard for, but lets not start that debate with a lie.
All this talk about indigenous virgin islanders serves is to create further division among the populace. And this division is significantly pitting caribbean blacks folks against each other. I remember growing up some people born here would call people from other islands ‘garrots’. Its was terrible snd discriminatory. Some still do it today. We need to get beyond our divisions.
Indigenous vs non-indigenous Is not an honest conversation. The vestiges of colonialism remains alive and well. Let is have an honest conversation here.
Ms P who started this recent mess is not in a position to define who is or is not an indigenous virgin islander no matter how many generations deep because she is not indigenous herself by history. She needs to check her DNA.
Please be informed and educate yourselves. If you do not know who you are, you will not know where you are going. Stop the crazy falsehoods, and lets us have a civil and honest conversation about our futures here in these islands.
These islands are too small for all this division. We have to find a way to coexist that will be fair to all.
I kind of agree but logically this means everyone in the world is indigenous to Africa. Except….. we only know what we know. By which I mean that the earliest evidence of humans so far is from Africa but that only means that’s the only place we’ve found it. It’s perfectly possible that humans were also in other places either at the same time or earlier. We just haven’t found them yet. You never know, all humans may be indigenous to BVi!
Thank you for writing this.
One thing to add is that REAL indigenous people are still alive and well in the Caribbean, some even reside among us. They too come from a decimated culture.
Consider showing these fellow victims of European empire some respect.
Like the above commenter says, using their name and their status as originals here is not right, especially if you’re using it to gain yourself a step up in a class system set up by the colonizers to keep everyone separate.
Keep it together, BVI. Keep it real.
Geez..bit long-winded
boi i know if this sh*the going wuk / but ahe Gahanna try somumm ?
My business just gone elsewhere. You don’t want me, I don want you.
born in ireland, english mother, german father, croatian grandmother, what can I claim to be? dont i deserve to call a place home or to belong?!!!!
The fact that your parentage is outside the BVI in my view does not nor should not preclude you from calling the BVI home. Home is where you make it and legally can live.
There are people in the BVI from over 100 nationalities that calls this place home. I dont see why u should see it any different if you have been legally authorized to stay in here in whatever capacity or over what time.
Your ancestors originated in Africa. The further they went away from the sun, the fairer (light skin less melanin) they became. Did you notice how many people became fair staying indoors during covid lock Down? That’s proof of this theory.
Look i am not going to be upset with him or miss p, cause in my country they flock up too. And i love my black people but they cant have that emotional connection to the past people who build the country by work, culture be it music. We will be celebrating whats in our heart from our natal country. Thats how you have different celebration for instance Jamaicans will paint their business place their flag color which show lack of patriotic commitment to the adpted country.
Look i am not going to be upset with him or miss p, cause in my country they flock up too. And i love my black people but they cant have that emotional connection to the past people who build the country by work, culture be it music. We will be celebrating whats in our heart from our natal country. Thats how you have different celebration for instance Jamaicans will paint their business place their flag color which show lack of patriotic commitment to the adopted country. Tortola civics taught me how to protect my country, i buy local only before any one else so i build my people economy etc.
Believe it or not you are miseducated too. His Story is a web of lies that serves to empower the conquerors. Do you realize its people like you that created this mess. What is the basis of your thinking. Crazy falsehoods. Who were the original people of America and the Caribbean. Do you know that the root of the word Caribbean comes from the Bantu speaking peoples of Africa who have been traced to these parts thousands of years before so called Caribs and Arawaks. Look up the Olmecs and tell me they are Indian. There is a lot that you need to educate yourself to but I do agree that we need to coexist because we are at the brink of nuclear conflict which most certainly means Game Over. Continue to do your research and strive to defend the higher cause. BVI is a Kindergarten country. The Great White Sharks know this that’s why they coming again.
There is nothing you said that convinces me that I am miseducated on this subject matter.
Based on all historical date available on the settlement of people here in the BVI, it is clear people of African decent (the majority of us here in the BVI) were never considered indigenous to these lands.
There is no evidence to suggest otherwise that I am aware, and if there is, please reference me so that I can update my knowledge.
Now, you have not pointed to a single piece of evidence that current BVI people are indigenous to these shores.
A simple definition of indigenous people is: found no where else.
Since you believe that people like me are miseducated too, and has contributed to this mess, please make the case that current people living in the BVI originated from an indigenous group of people.
Please point to any evidence to make your case. I look forward to reading and learning from it.
In the interim, please have a read from the BVI government’s own webiste, and wikepedia on that matter.
1. https://bvi.gov.vg/content/our-history
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_British_Virgin_Islands
An ANGUILAN telling US Tolians who is a real Tolian.. Y’all ain’t see the world going backwards with the moo moo clot ness
My final words on this:
It is so important to understand the meaning of words. In this case the definition of an indigenous people which can be simply defined as being found no where else.
It’s also important to understand history. That history is recorded for a reason. To remind us of our past.
Ever since slavery was abolished in the BVI on the 1st of August 1834, 188 years ago, we have been celebrating each year with a 3 day holiday on the first Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of every August. These are our Emancipation Day festivities.
We celebrate over those 3 days each August 1, 2nd and 3rd not because we are descendants of a liberated indigenous people but rather because we are the descendants of liberated African slaves.
So let us not disrespect nor forget that history.
We owe it to our enslaved forefathers that we keep their legacies alive as horrible as their enslavement was so that we will never forget their plight or allow ourselves to be enslaved again in any capacity physical, mental, or otherwise.
We owe the correct knowledge to our children and our grandchildren so that they will know their history and their roots, where they came from, and who they are.
History is bound to repeat itself if dismissed or not acknowledged.
To the indigenous virgin islands crowd, do better. Do better.
Thank you. Appreciated.
You are such a captivating and engaging writer…though your pieces are “long” I find myself wanting more every time I get to the end. I don’t know who you are but you were careful to highlight that you are educated by virtue of the fact that you mentioned getting higher education elsewhere. I can sense that your schooling was not in vain and I hope that you are in some educational institution imparting knowledge to our young people. You are brilliant, you are an excellent writer and I congratulate you on the clarity with which you write. It tells me that you are an eloquent speaker as well. Keep up the good work!
Mother
Adopted Mother
Wishing,yearning ,wanting,denying pretending,mimicking…nothing can never ever change the definition as determined by Nature.
Role reversal yes.
how you wish,hope deny,a s ha
These folks denying their sacred heritage are to be pitied,
When not debating the obvious ,they attempt to hide behind a mask in a pretend charade as BVIslander but can be readily outed and identified based on their personal characteristics behaviour and social practices aka,their heritage.
I cannot imagine what it must be like living a life ashamed of your heritageto the extent of denial.
Self hatred with its accompanying violence has resulted in thir failed island Nations economically and socially.
Suggested Daily Mantra ;
Say it Loud, I am _(your heritage)and I am proud!
.
kalinago..only indigenous peoples..The black and white devil’s need to perish
Mark clearly does not know what indigenous means.
Probably because the too small of a gene pool has affected the development of brains in …
#incestmakesfunnylookingbabies
while I respect your scholarship a tiny artifact that I found on Tortola has led me to question the validity of the official narrative. How could writing that could not be recognized by anyone in the BVI or USVI or the Catholic or Jewish religious authorities in the islands nor could they confirm the type of metal used in what seem to have been clearly produced by some type of ancient machine. My friend we are just going along with the narrative here as they say going along to get along. I am convinced the real story is not being told. I am not going along with someone’s belief but with evidence that I’ve held in my hands and marveled at. I am also convinced that there are persons who know a lot more about the truth of this subject hence my kindergarten comment. I am convinced that the history of these islands consists of infinitely more than so called Indians on the shore gathering shells. This is the introduction to the white man’s narrative and the beginning of genocide and colonization. The transcript of the Arthur Hodge trial describes Pereen Georges as a free woman of colour please do not fence us all in your society as the calypsonian would say. Everyone is expected to go along with the authorized narrative when our ancestors and the Ancient ones are telling us that they are lying. So forget about yourself concentrate on him and worship him….do you understand the kind of bullshit that we must emphatically reject.
Keep talking bullshit and let me have to remind you of my Atlantian heritage.
Thank you, Honourable Vanterpool!!!
This statement needs to be THE defining definition of a Virgin Islander, in the Constitution, going forward!
Alas, there will always be Virgin Islanders, of other definitions, which doesn’t lessen their stance as Virgin Islanders; just adds another dimension to the definition of such.
I am quite happy to be considered a TRUE Virgin Islander, as defined by Mrs. Parsons.
It is a good feeling..
These people need go home and reset the Virgin Islands, go home and
stay home , no repeats. Mark is right and Ms Parson right, now try fight them for them country. All you done get in the Virgin Island what you can’t get where you spring from without invitation. Humble you all selves, look how your teeth showing same time as your horns. Wicked ungrateful them lot.
“These people need to go home”
Remember its these people building the BVI, in the early 60s.. its the down islanders who came and starting the building process..
You are such a captivating and engaging writer…though your pieces are “long” I find myself wanting more every time I get to the end. I don’t know who you are but you were careful to highlight that you are educated by virtue of the fact that you mentioned getting higher education elsewhere. I can sense that your schooling was not in vain and I hope that you are in some educational institution imparting knowledge to our young people. You are brilliant, you are an excellent writer and I congratulate you on the clarity with which you write. It tells me that you are an eloquent speaker as well. Keep up the good work!
I appreciate your compliment..really do. Thanks for taking the time to read my posts.
Have a blessed Sunday.
While we fight about who is a Virgin Islander the real owners threaten to take over based on the COI findings. See if they care. Black people can be so stupid.
The real owners are the Dutch. The british committed fraud to appropriate the islands from the dutch. True story.
I hope you also use the same narritive to identify your spanish son
So Walwyn is only a Belonger even though he was born in the BVI but cannot trace his roots back three generations on BOTH sides.
Oh dear. No wonder Miss P opposed his run for Premiership.
Then we as Black People wonder why members of other “races” do not like us.
We have no reason to complain.
Walwyn has never shown any concern as being ” only a Belonger” neither has Vanterpool or any and all others who are intelligent,and comfortable in their own skin and heritage
It is what it is and it is who they are. Better than classifying ones self as being a nothing and mourning over what cannot be changed.That would be sick sick sick.
Mark Vanterpool needs to tell us how far back his roots go to Anguilla.
Miss P would like to know.
Walwyn has never shown any concern as being ” only a Belonger” neither has Vanterpool or any and all others who are intelligent,and comfortable in their own skin and heritage
It is what it is and it is who they are. Better than classifying ones self as being a nothing and mourning over what cannot be changed.That would be sick sick sick.