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Gov’s reparation comment ‘cannot be swept under the rug’ - Skelton-Cline

- Outrage grows after Gov Jaspert said UK has no plans to pay VI reparations for slavery
Pastor and ZBVI Radio moderator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has reiterated his calls for Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) H.E. Augustus J.U. Jaspert to apologize to the people of the territory over his comments that the VI has no reparations to get for acts of slavery perpetrated, as a position of the UK. Photo: VINO/FILE
Radio host and Social commentator Kenneth G. Gladstone became the second radio moderator to condemn the governor statements, calling it ‘absolutely insulting’ to the people of the territory. Photo: VINO/File
Radio host and Social commentator Kenneth G. Gladstone became the second radio moderator to condemn the governor statements, calling it ‘absolutely insulting’ to the people of the territory. Photo: VINO/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Pastor and ZBVI Radio moderator, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline has reiterated his call for Governor of the Virgin Islands (VI) His Excellency Augustus J.U. Jaspert to apologise to the people of the Territory over his comments that, as a position of the United Kingdom (UK), the VI has no reparations to get for acts of slavery.

The Governor made the now infamous comments during a Monday, September 7, 2020, Facebook interview with 284 Media, sparking immediate public outrage in sections of the VI community, with some social commentators even calling for him to be removed from the post.

Honour is due to VI ancestors – Skelton-Cline

“These things cannot be swept under the rug, these are real and dear things… and we must do our part to ensure that honour and due respect are due to our fore-parents,” Skelton-Cline said on the September 12, 2020, edition of the ‘Honestly Speaking’ radio show.

When questioned on his position over the renaming of places named after slave owners, the Governor further called for relics of that slavery era in the VI to be preserved.

The pastor, on behalf of the people of the Territory, had previously urged the governor to apologise for the statements; however, those requests have fallen on deaf ears.

Now, according to Skelton-Cline, the Deputy Governor Mr David D. Archer Jr should also step in a get the Governor to address the issue. “I hope that our Deputy Governor, who is one of us… I would trust that he too will lend his voice behind private chambers to this Governor regarding such matters,” he said.

No apologizing for apologizing sake – Skelton-Cline

So far, radio host and social commentator Kenneth G. Gladstone became the second radio moderator to condemn the governor's statements, calling it ‘absolutely insulting’ to the people of the Territory.

“I’m a black man, and when a white man who represents slavery can tell me that I don’t deserve reparations, you infuriate the hell out of me,” Gladstone told Virgin Islands News Online after invited comments.

“I would hope that the Governor and his cohorts don’t think that they just apologising because Claude Skelton-Cline says so,” the man of the cloth said.

“I am simply one of the multiplicity of voices that have joined the chorus calling and demanding this kind of apology for the verbal assault and the position beyond the assault for our ancestors who sacrificed life,” Skelton-Cline related.

44 Responses to “Gov’s reparation comment ‘cannot be swept under the rug’ - Skelton-Cline ”

  • HMMM (14/09/2020, 09:56) Like (54) Dislike (3) Reply
    Man ayo aint tire beating the war drums against the governor? Sickening now man!
    • @strupes (14/09/2020, 10:59) Like (29) Dislike (2) Reply
      Couldn’t agree more with you man. Sickening indeed!
    • HMMM (14/09/2020, 11:41) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
      tired*
    • one eye (14/09/2020, 20:07) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      Speak for your self the silent majority with Skelton-Cline
    • priest (15/09/2020, 06:55) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      The "growing outrage" seems to be planted in the gardens of a few people. The bloggs will suggest that. The general public on a whole is more concern at this timee about finding or keeping their jobs, paying their morgages, rent, sending their children to school, putting food on their tables etc. The people who are pushing this agenda seem to be those who have all those bases covered.
  • Move on (14/09/2020, 09:58) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Free your mind
  • BVI (14/09/2020, 10:35) Like (29) Dislike (3) Reply
    Claude you continue to beat the Governor over him telling the truth. Vislanders were already compensated with large amount of land left to them by slave owners. These lands are priceless and cannot be replaced by money. So ur argument makes no sense. If Vislanders turn around and sold their lands to foreigners don't blame the Governor.
    • Plant some love (14/09/2020, 18:49) Like (5) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ local boy, really the land that the oppressors gave to our ancestors were not theirs. It's land that they stole from our ancestors. So it's not a gift. It was a!ready yours from your people. PLEASE go and do some real research about who these SAVAGES were and still are before you speak that rubbish. And If you are not careful the s!ave owners children, grand and great grand children will come and take that same away from you. You better keep your eyes open and detox your mind from that rubbish you are speaking/ writing. I pray you know that foolishness you are saying is not true.




      .


      • Wait (14/09/2020, 20:15) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
        Plant Some Love - I see you mean well but you got to keep to the facts.
        The white people stole these islands of the INDIGENOUS INDIANS - garifuna and Taino - then stole people from Africa and bring them here to be slaves.
        Before the white man, these islands did not belong to Africans.
        If you claim rights based on information that is wrong, your claims will not stand up.
    • ANCESTORS.COM (15/09/2020, 12:51) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      My ancestors were not given no land for free. They paid for it. They took every dime they had before they let them had the land. They left them without a penny. They had to plant it to survive. So, don't come on here talking piss saying that Virgin Islanders were compensated.
      How could our ancestors be compensated for the rape of their 12 year old daughters.
      How could a man be compensated when Massa wanted to use his wife for the night for spite?
      How could our ancestors have been compensated when they were uprooted from their homeland in Africa, stripped of their language, culture and given a false hope in the bye and bye?
      And if the Monarchy and her Cronnies didn't want to make huge profit from slavery, they wouldn't be burying slaves. This matter has to come to light because it is vexing and festering. The fester ready to jump out. Watch it. Only a matter of time.
      Listen, let me stop now, because land alone could never repay the damage these Colonizers did to our people.
      Every place these post-colonizers go they want to rule us, but a sad day in Brady Ghut when they raise their heads again. You see a smile on our face? We read all the books they hid from our parents and we know what time it is!!
  • cline (14/09/2020, 10:52) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    You can keep trying but that man will never apologize.
    • District 9 (14/09/2020, 16:43) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
      And why apologize for speaking his mind? For telling the truth? Stop being ridiculous
  • In the name of the Lord (14/09/2020, 10:56) Like (13) Dislike (3) Reply
    If the churches took half the money that they was making and gave it back to the community we'd be alright. If they take half the buildings they use to praise God and gave it to people who need God we'd be alright. We'd be alright. Have you seen some of these God damn churches lately? There's ones that take up the whole block in New York. There's homeless people out here. Why ain't God letting them stay there? Why these churches got gold ceilings and shitt? Why God need gold ceilings to talk to me? Why do God need colored windows to talk to me?

    These pastors are not doing anything for us but taking out money, they rarely give back, they just take advantage of the people who are looking for Yah
    • In the name of the Lord (14/09/2020, 13:19) Like (6) Dislike (3) Reply
      STOP CALLING THE LORD'S NAME IN VAIN!

      People it is BLASPHEMY to use God's name with a curse word.
      • @ in the name of the lord (15/09/2020, 08:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Lord Jesus I pray for these racist posing as governors
  • ccc (14/09/2020, 11:07) Like (3) Dislike (10) Reply
    Keep the pressure on
  • from buckingham palace (14/09/2020, 11:09) Like (22) Dislike (1) Reply
    At the court at buckingham palace the 13th june 2007 present the queen's most excellent majesty in council and on upon the advice of her privy. her majesty the queen ordered the bvi constitution.
    the bvi constitution saytThere shall be a governor of the virgin islands who shall be appointed by her majesty by commission under her sign manual and signet and shall hold office during her majesty's pleasure.
    if you dont want the governor in the bvi,go back to buckingham palace,and do like the other caribbean countries who wanted to be independent from the uk,by bringing a motion to the HOA,in the form of a referandum,and pass a resolution,requesting that the status of association of the bvi with the UK is to be terminated on what ever date,where we can gain our independence from great britain.
    after that,her majesty,as the head of the commonwealth, will order a new constitution for the bvi,which will exclude her majesty as the monarchy of the bvi and her representative in the bvi the governor will pack up and go back to the uk.
    for the time being,the governor is the "monarchy" of the bvi.
    you people have no respect for her majesty,and no respect for her majesty's representattive in the ,because he is a white islandman from the uk.
    the same way you have no respect for black expats in the bvi.if you are so bold,go to parliament and call for independence,but for now the governor is representing the queen,but you cursing him because he watching the corrupt persons in position.
    watch them mr, governor,you are a british diplomat,so you belong to the bvi,and they cannot deport you.
    governor,the people of the bvi love you.
  • resident (14/09/2020, 11:17) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    I am so tired of this now. Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God.
  • Love for My Country (14/09/2020, 11:30) Like (41) Dislike (2) Reply
    Mr. Skelton Cline please let sleeping dogs lie! This is a matter that happened long before this Governor's time. Why are you so hateful on this Governor? It would seem that you have a personal gripe with him and now you are trying to use the country to get back at him. We are tired of your racism nonsense.
  • NB (14/09/2020, 11:32) Like (36) Dislike (1) Reply
    Claude, there are bigger battles to fight now. Why are you 'hell bent' on this matter? You are very petty, immature, childish, ignorant and the list goes on. Come on man, you are fueling the segregation. Ain't you a man of God? If you are then that would require you to be the 'bigger person' and let this go, forgiveness and all...yada yada yada..Jaaah. You make me sick!
  • Oh my God .... Stop it.. (14/09/2020, 12:37) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Tell me Mr Clyne. Is your VIP government doing everything right? Then attack them when they do and say wrong things and give yourself some credibility.. as it is now u don't have any... Ur bias, one sided and unfair.
  • freedom (14/09/2020, 12:40) Like (2) Dislike (19) Reply
    All racist must go Claude we support you
  • thank you (14/09/2020, 12:43) Like (2) Dislike (27) Reply
    Thank you CSC

    Emperor Augustus is a disgusting excuse of a man and an embarrassment to the UK

    Please remove him immediately

    Please investigate his pro white office too.

    Writing books when they should be working...
  • Youth (14/09/2020, 13:05) Like (14) Dislike (16) Reply
    The Governor is DEAD wrong
  • Iniquity in Your Heart (14/09/2020, 13:21) Like (14) Dislike (1) Reply
    Claude you need to go REPENT!

    Plenty of MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS INVOLVING LIVELIHOOD ARE SWEPT UNDER THE RUG.
  • K (14/09/2020, 13:32) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    @ freedom where are u sending him back to your mother that's one of your brother if u don't love that one asked your mother country to send the write one for u because difitenly if he go you are going to get another brother
  • mandella (14/09/2020, 14:00) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    "OUR WORLD IS NOT DIVIDED BY RACE, COLOR, GENDER OR RELIGION....OUR WORLD IS DIVIDED INTO WISE PEOPLE AND FOOLS.....AND FOOLS DIVIDE THEMSELVES BY RACE, COLOR, GENDER OR RELIGION"
  • 1st District (14/09/2020, 14:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who hear the plane in the weee hours in the morning on it's return trip over the BVI? It was on a mission impossible trip, just another reason we don't want the military. By air or sea its ALL ON WE!!
  • Conial HIll (14/09/2020, 15:39) Like (27) Dislike (1) Reply
    Pastor cline why are you making life harder for u when you get to heaven if you do whow would treat God you will be telling him what to do when you have stories keep them safe and well tied up because one day the handle might broke, the string might pull out the nottom might leak so Me.skelton cline measure your actions with a good pace because we donot want to hear your case. Keep a distance because a distance might keep you We do not hate you but these bloogs some of the come straight home LEAVE THE GOVERNOR ALONE
  • R (14/09/2020, 16:04) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Cline it's time to let by goarn be by goarn I am sure that you formerly with the praise (let go and let God)
  • Cuz (14/09/2020, 16:49) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    Big man sit down..we done inherit land and more....this aint USA
  • Calculation (14/09/2020, 17:18) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Out of interest, how exactly would those of you calling for reparations calculate the sum of money you think is due to you, and who would be eligible to receive it?
  • Skrewed UP (14/09/2020, 17:46) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is how screwed up this good pastor is. The governor did not say the BVI has no Reparation to get. He clearly said that Reparation is not on the British Government agenda at this time. In any case does the Governor have a house full of money to pay out to the good pastor? Does the Governor have the authority to command payment for Reparation? If Caribbean Governments and people have any sense of sensibility they would be more vociferous in calling for debt forgiveness in Lieu of reparation as this is more likely rather than reparation which will never happen in todays world.
  • Taxi men (14/09/2020, 17:56) Like (1) Dislike (7) Reply
    I want to cry every time I see some of you uncle toms defending the Governor's clearly racist, insensitive and offensive statements.

    Even in the 60s there were people against Malcolm X and Marlin King. Stand firm Claude we may not be blogging but WE WITH YOU!
  • mother hen (14/09/2020, 20:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    The same governor made a statement about a comic and some of you got the balls to say leave this alone

    Vino 100 thumbs up for good journalism and for being fair-less
  • Take A Ride (14/09/2020, 20:34) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Please tell the Good Pastor to hop on a plane, go to London, take a Taxi to downing street and demand his reparation payment. That is where he needs to make his demand for reparation and stop trying to turn public opinion against the Governor. Let the man do his job as he was appointed to do.
  • Tired (15/09/2020, 01:38) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Not in a mood to defend the governor but for a pastor you sure like drama. Go
  • The Librarian (15/09/2020, 05:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "UK" the U. K
  • H (15/09/2020, 05:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mr Cline u don't fight fire with fire u never see a fire man go to seen with fire thay go with water
  • Pastor (15/09/2020, 07:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Go sit down. Go help your fake pastor in vg. You all are fake. .if I go in a church I see you on the pulpit I will take my family and leave immediately. God is a great God . Do not use his name in vain. There are consequences for those who decide to do so. He is a jealous God. MR PLEASE BECAREFUL.
  • Let fredom ring (15/09/2020, 19:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Claude you are right and caught a racist red handed
  • Your a Christian first (15/09/2020, 19:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    “I hope that our Deputy Governor, who is one of us… I would trust that he too will lend his voice behind private chambers to this Governor regarding such matters,” he said.
    What's this supposed to mean when you're professing to be a follower of Jesus Christ? When race, politics etc. Come before God's truth you're denying God's truth


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