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‘Could you imagine a street in London called Holocaust Highway?’ – Hon Flax-Charles

-Legislator breaks silence of HoA on Governor’s ‘slavery relic’ comments
Legislator and At-Large Representative, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL) has called out Governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert on his insensitive comments about reparations for slavery and names of landmarks after perpetrators of slavery. Photo: Facebook/File HoA/Youtube
On Monday, September 7, 2020, during an interview with 284 Media, Mr Jaspert said paying reparations to the VI for acts of slavery and the slave trade is not the position of the UK at the moment. He also called for relics of slavery such as the channel named after Slave Owner Sir Francis Drake to be preserved in the Territory for educational purposes. Photo: Facebook/File
On Monday, September 7, 2020, during an interview with 284 Media, Mr Jaspert said paying reparations to the VI for acts of slavery and the slave trade is not the position of the UK at the moment. He also called for relics of slavery such as the channel named after Slave Owner Sir Francis Drake to be preserved in the Territory for educational purposes. Photo: Facebook/File
DUFFS BOTTOM, Tortola, VI - Some three weeks after outgoing Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) Mr Augustus J.U. Jaspert irked Virgin Islanders of African ancestry when he said relics of slavery should remain in the VI, one legislator has finally broken the silence of the House of Assembly (HoA) on the matter.

On Monday, September 7, 2020, during an interview with 284 Media, Mr Jaspert said paying reparations to the VI for acts of slavery and the slave trade is not the position of the UK at the moment.

He also called for relics of slavery such as the channel named after slave owner Sir Francis Drake to be preserved in the Territory for educational purposes.

Hypothetical ‘Holocaust Highway’

Now, according to the Junior Minister for Trade and Economic Development, Hon Shereen D. Flax-Charles (AL), speaking at the 14th Sitting of The Second Session of The Fourth House of Assembly yesterday, September 29, 2020, the Governor’s statement cannot be justified.

“Could you imagine, we have the Sir Francis Drake Channel... could you imagine a street or a highway in London called the Holocaust Highway?” the Legislator questioned.

Hon Flax-Charles comments came following outrage expressed from some community members urging the Governor to apologise for the statements deemed disrespectful to not only the people of the VI,  but also enslaved ancestors who fought for the freedoms enjoyed today.

Hon Flax-Charles continued by saying that should there be a ‘Holocaust Highway’ in the UK, “there would be a great outrage. Mr Speaker, we have fought long and hard, Mr Speaker, to get where are today and we are not going to turn back.”

‘Governor must apologise’ – social commentators 

Championing the calls for an apology is ‘Honestly Speaking’ radio host, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline, who noted, “We are calling for, and will continue every time we get on this programme, an apology on behalf of his belittling and desecrating our ancestors, their blood, their sweat, their tears and ultimately their death.”

Several community members including Former educator, Mr Elroy A. Turnbull and social commentator Mr Kenneth G. Gladstone have spoken out against the statements, calling it both derogatory and insulting.

45 Responses to “‘Could you imagine a street in London called Holocaust Highway?’ – Hon Flax-Charles”

  • DON Q (30/09/2020, 13:09) Like (13) Dislike (27) Reply
    I agree with her and this governor is bad news
    • Crazy stupidness and foolishness (30/09/2020, 13:39) Like (3) Dislike (15) Reply
      I don't agree with her, but the Governor is bad news.
    • HAHAHA (30/09/2020, 18:12) Like (25) Dislike (3) Reply
      Could you believe the hate that the black bvislanders exhibit towards black expats??? And acting like Y all have been wronged by others LMAO
    • Stop It (03/10/2020, 07:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Flax, the Governor is free to say what he wants. Stop whining at every little slight or he and his successors may continue making statements like those. You have the power to bring a bill to change the names. Your response to the Governor could be to change the names just because he said you should not change them.
  • The Reaper (30/09/2020, 13:13) Like (7) Dislike (3) Reply
    This isn’t good. That name alone say it all Smh ..☠️
  • Hmmmm (30/09/2020, 13:17) Like (29) Dislike (9) Reply
    How old is this Street..? . This is like a cheap ambush, low blow at the Governor.....Lol
  • Exactly (30/09/2020, 13:18) Like (3) Dislike (27) Reply

    Indeed. This so called ‘governor’ a completely rac**t big** low life has no clue about diplomacy nor how to govern.

    The UK should be ashamed of themselves for sending such an ignorant obnoxious offensive incompetent imbecile to our shores.

    All this so called ‘man’ does is bully us, our government, flash his luxurious lifestyle on social media, sit on our necks and rub our noses in his white privilege constantly

    We know all about his w**** only recruitment policy, it’s very clear for all to see.

    UK should send him back home on HMS Medway!

  • Totally agree (30/09/2020, 13:22) Like (10) Dislike (41) Reply
    Worst governor EVER!

    Completely ignorant most undiplomatic civil servant here!

    Gus MUST go NOW!!!!
  • Tell us (30/09/2020, 13:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    What else did she say.?
  • Name changes needed (30/09/2020, 13:50) Like (53) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hodges, Lettsomes, Pickerings, Harrigans, Smiths, Fahies, Nibbs, Turnbulls, Dawsons, Donovans, Chalwells, Scatliffes Rhymers, Brathwaites, Lakes, Leonards, Flax, Skeltons: ayo going change your family names, too?


    • josiah'sbay (30/09/2020, 15:41) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      Whether you choose to change your name or not we should acknowledge that the a fore listed names are not our real family names. We should start with what we can change and eventually we wont identify as Afro-Europeans.
      • @ josiah’s bay (30/09/2020, 19:19) Like (13) Dislike (2) Reply
        People focus on changing your hearts and doing what is required to be accepted into heaven not these frivolous things.
    • tola (30/09/2020, 15:49) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
      mind yo business
    • To Name change needed (01/10/2020, 02:57) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Actually, I have been seriously considering changing my slave name. You don’t have a problem with carrying the name of your former owner?
    • Rubber Duck (01/10/2020, 03:24) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      I don’t see a great rush by folks with the names of the plantation owners rushing to change them. Not many Africans called Flax -Charles or Fahie. As for Drake, he raided Spanish and Portuguese slave slips and effectively stole them and their cargoes which were then delivered to Venezuela mostly, there were no plantations in BVI in his time. But that was not his main occupation. His main occupation was raiding Spanish gold ships which he mostly did right here. Drake also beat the Spanish Armada that was trying to invade England and for that reason he is regarded as a hero in the UK. Drake also played a big part in creating the Royal Navy which was the main weapon used by the UK to end slavery when the majority of the UK population rose against it.
      So like most things it’s a more complex situation than people would have you believe.
      • @ Rubber Duck (01/10/2020, 07:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        This is one story, amongst other that you can actually read.
  • out (30/09/2020, 14:32) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    We only see them pretending here but we dont know there behavior among there racial kind......there do that well hide there hate toward blacks
  • #out (30/09/2020, 14:33) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes that's fact local living abroad it is facts
  • Cut deep (30/09/2020, 14:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Words of the person who wanted to run for the BVI “ My hand is sooooo much better. It’s feeling trigger happy even.... “ Ain’t like she want to for the betterment’s of the community but get rid of those who’s blocking the shipment from coming to the BVI
  • YOLO (30/09/2020, 14:50) Like (16) Dislike (2) Reply
    People remember 2018 hurricane and what he did for us .....what do a street name have to do with him... he didn't name it so...
    • Shame On You (30/09/2020, 15:19) Like (5) Dislike (8) Reply
      HE DID NOTHING. POSTURE AND POSE? Ask Antigua about the 30M pounds and Dominica about the 47M pounds in GRANTS. WHY DO WE NEED TO GET A LOAN GUARANTEED BY UK WHEN THESE INDEPENDENT COUNTRIES GETTING FREE MONIES
  • What? (30/09/2020, 14:53) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
    Holocost was in the UK?
    • White BVI woman (30/09/2020, 15:20) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
      It didnt have to be in the UK. SLAVERY was in the UK?????
  • Norris Turnbull (30/09/2020, 14:53) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
    The white woman on FB ssy all white people are racist.
  • @name change need (30/09/2020, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply

    No we are not we just keep the first one u bi**h stole from us ..them that sound like names like of king and queen. Bi**h

  • #what (30/09/2020, 15:16) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply

    Ask ur great perant there can tell u weather u white or black ...dam blind @$% coward

  • Dancing in the sunshine (30/09/2020, 15:17) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    I agree with the Hon. Flax-Charles statement in the House of Assembly and it is time for descendants of African to stand up for their dignities. We may not have all the luxuries and development as other develop countries. However, what we have is our independent minds. For that very reason, Africans descendants have the will and determination to be freed. As Moses brought the Israelites out of the bondage of slavery under Pharaoh in Egypt so the black slaves in the Caribbean and elsewhere were determined to be freed.

    The world needs to know that Massa Days are over and we will not return allow ourselves to be enslaved anymore. As such because of the exploitation of experienced they should be compensated for the injustices by Colonial Masters.
  • Local (30/09/2020, 15:20) Like (3) Dislike (12) Reply
    I had kinda like Hitler a little bit for he was a lil colour blind lol .....I does like to see them mass of white bodies .
    .
    I love that image....
  • Disinterested (30/09/2020, 15:26) Like (4) Dislike (11) Reply
    Congrats to Hon Flax-Charles for breaking the elected member silence on the governor’s disrespectful comment on reparation and naming of local marks. Whoever heard of recognizing and rewarding thieves and murderers for their bad behaviour. Well, except for Trump wanting to keep Confederate monuments that were named after Confederate supporters who fought against the Union in the US Civil War. When will the other 12 elected members break their silence on this issue. Premier wrote to the UK about the governor’s dissing the local government. He should also make a formal complaint about the disrespectful comments by the governor on reparation.
  • Cross eye (30/09/2020, 16:52) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Dose Nothing ham Estate , ring a BELL.? are we going to change that name also.?
  • Asking for a friend? (30/09/2020, 18:24) Like (0) Dislike (12) Reply
    Has the governor apologized as yet for his racist statement?
  • K (30/09/2020, 18:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some time I wander what those people take and make new a bunch of nonsense
  • Not so simple (30/09/2020, 20:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The truth about those English names listed is that they are the names of a lot of our grand parents; believe it or not, so it is not as simple as many people want to make it sound. Also on the other hand there are many white families who are now beginning to come to terms with their black roots. Aren't we all just a bunch of silly rabbits? There are some things that cannot be changed...don't worry be happy...how about a carrot? Focus your energy on coming out from under the GHOST SPELL.
  • Learn to read and listen (30/09/2020, 20:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Governor unequivocally condemned that period of history in no uncertain terms. Why are some people trying to pretend he in any way approves of or excuses it when he, like most decent people hold the details and ideas of that time, and that the U.K. paid off the slave owners not the slaves, in the highest revulsion. It is dishonest and decisive to pretend otherwise.
  • ausar (30/09/2020, 22:13) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    A street with such nomenclature could never be named as such in the Kingdom!

    The Royal Family is Jewish-German jews, at that!

    Remember, the original family names of the first cousins, Elizabeth and Philip, were Battenberg, then anglocized as Mount Batten!

    As long as the Heads of State are Jewish, which they are, and their descendants will be for perpetuity, such nomenclatures are virtually impossible!
    • @Ausur (01/10/2020, 05:38) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      regardless, "Holocaust" would be similar to "Slavery" not "Francis".

      And yes in England there are lots of places named after invaders to the country. The UK was invaded many times throughout history - but that is it. It's history. Learn do not repeat. Get angry about modern slavery in Africa/Asia. You can change that. Change a name? Doesn't achieve anything.
  • Hmm (01/10/2020, 07:11) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    I've been reading these articles of anger towards the Governor and the UK etc. What has me amazed it we are not seeking and apology from the African countries first. The UK didn't capture slaves on their own. Many who would became slaves in the Americas were first captured by African Kings and Queens who sold them to slave owners.

    When we start pointing fingers and demanding apologies and reperations let's start with countries in Africa first. But no we can't bare to admit that our own black people had a hand in pillaging our ancestors first then sold them to be slaves. Slavery was and is still wrong but don't crucify the Governor because he's white for what his white ancestors did and not crucify our black ancestors for what they did too.
  • Incompetence (01/10/2020, 11:58) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
    It's a sad era, in these modern times, to witness and experience the most incompetent display of leadership in these beloved isles. The words that spew FROM THE MOUTHS of these elected adults are embarrassing. HTF you will use Holocaust as a reference for a street, just to prove a point about Sir Francis Drake as the name of a channel!? Aren't these islands referred to as UK Territories? So, therefore you'll find influential and historical names affiliated with the establishment of various landmarks, commonplace worldwide.
    Who the hell you think named these Virgin Islands....a flippin pirate! Get rid of your last names and give up your land that was passed down from the very same slave owners. YOU WERE BROUGHT HERE...ALL OF YOU!!!!
  • hello (01/10/2020, 15:11) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    @ Incompetence...I born here I was not brought here. This country is mines own. Teh belongs to I&I.
    • @hello (01/10/2020, 22:50) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      I believe you...I honestly do. The shallow response shows what we have to deal with coming from the “I born here” no knowledge of self
  • Leveller (01/10/2020, 17:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Like it or not, most indigenous BVIslanders have ancestral heritage of slave owners. Such are as responsible for their forefathers as the people of England.
  • Words matter (02/10/2020, 07:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    If you are a man and I call you a woman over and over again, does it a) mean you are a woman? Or b) mean I am using the wrong word for you repeatedly?
    This word “indigenous” has crept into the BVI through ignorance. Now it is repeated over and over again but it doesn’t make it the right word.
    Why does it matter? Because, the word describes people who were subjected to such horrors that they barely even exist in these islands or worldwide anymore - that’s right, they were almost entirely exterminated by the same system that meted different horrors on Africans. In fact their demise is what led to Europeans importing slave labour from Africa to the Caribbean.
    So for descendants of Africans to completely ignore that experience of a real holocaust, wipe them out of history as if they did not exist, and appropriate a word that is of great political/legal importance worldwide because it defines their pre-European status in a post European world is a) deeply offensive to indigenous people everywhere, and b) a clear symptom of some people being simpleminded, which is not a good impression when you are trying to argue an intellectual point to further your own political/legal status.
  • No wonder (03/10/2020, 15:16) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    No wonder being born in the bvi 32 yrs old and have no id to show because of people like him just want to say in slavery you couldnt own anything not even your wife ,property etc these ppl still treat us like this and yall still dont see is a strategy to keep us down always!!!!


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