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Hon. Delores Christopher cries out for action on culture!

-Fifth District Representative lashes out on what needs to be done in some areas of culture and the issue of identity
Honourable Delores Christopher lashed out at the inaction over the Virgin Islands culture at the October 14, 2013 sitting of the House of Assembly. Many persons felt that Hon. Christopher should have been given the post of Minister for Education and Culture following the 2011 general elections that saw her National Democratic Party (NDP) government return to power. She called for the building of a national museum to preserve the Virgin Islands cultural heritage. Photo: VINO/File
The many critics of the Education and Culture Minister Honourable Myron V. Walwyn claimed that he has done nothing in the area of cultural preservation or awareness. They claimed that because he is not an indigenous Virgin Islander (none of his parents are born in the Virgin Islands) he does not have the passion, knowledge or interest in local culture. Photo: VINO/File
The many critics of the Education and Culture Minister Honourable Myron V. Walwyn claimed that he has done nothing in the area of cultural preservation or awareness. They claimed that because he is not an indigenous Virgin Islander (none of his parents are born in the Virgin Islands) he does not have the passion, knowledge or interest in local culture. Photo: VINO/File
Hon. Delores Christopher said that during the annual Emancipation celebration a lot of very good pieces are on parade, however, there is no place for them to be put on permanent display after the celebrations, so we ourselves can see them, our families from overseas or the tourists. She has called on her NDP government to build a museum and take our culture more seriously. Photo: VINO/File
Hon. Delores Christopher said that during the annual Emancipation celebration a lot of very good pieces are on parade, however, there is no place for them to be put on permanent display after the celebrations, so we ourselves can see them, our families from overseas or the tourists. She has called on her NDP government to build a museum and take our culture more seriously. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- Fifth District Representative, Honourable Delores Christopher came out swinging on the topic of culture and how it is being administered in the Virgin Islands.

She was at the time speaking at the Fifth Sitting of the Third Session of the Second House of Assembly on October 14, 2013.

The Fifth District Representative, an indigenous Virgin Islander who is also regarded as an authority on the Virgin Islands culture, lashed out at the current failure in the area of culture and things she said needed to be done.

Hon. Christopher, now in her second nonconsecutive stint [2003-2007] and [2011-current] in the House of Assembly (HOA), warned that the lack of serious attention to our culture is not a good sign as it’s comes down to a matter of “our identity”.

Our Culture needs help & attention

She told the public that “we have to look at our development on the social side… as we need a well rounded development”. She said “we need someplace where our history can be preserved on a permanent basis….” However, while acknowledging that there may be a few places where there are artifacts on display, she told the HOA “they cannot be classified as a real museum”.

Hon. Christopher who many argued, following the 2011 elections that saw the National Democratic Party (NDP) regime come to power, should have been given the post of Minister for Education and Culture, is also one of the founders of the popular Christmas on Main Street annual event.

The Fifth District Representative went on to say “we need our documentation to be all in one place and this is not only for us, Madam Speaker, but for our children….. The time is fast coming when it becomes an  issue of identity…Who is a Virgin Islander? What does that mean?… And this is for the benefit of our children and grandchildren…This is an important question and we cannot run away from it.”

Our children, she said, “need to be clear about what the legacy is, so they can in fact cherish it”.  While she said there are celebrations and different events where some of our history is read, however, “I will hasten to say, Madam Speaker, that the majority of people don’t hear or are not really paying attention to what is being said during these celebrations…we are not sure how many people are getting a clear understanding of our history…”

Hon. Christopher, who was the brainchild behind the successful Festival of Arts held earlier this year at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall, lashed out at the fact that after the very colorful display everything had to be taken down as there is no place to permanently put our cultural artifacts on display. “The problem is it had to be taken down...so often we put up and we take down…we need to list as a priority a permanent place for our history…details of our people must be made known…”

The legislator, who is very passionate about education and cultural issues, said even during the annual emancipation celebration “sometimes some very outstanding pieces are on parade, but we have no place to house these pieces, we ourselves can’t visit them, family from overseas can’t visit them at a later time, the tourist can’t see them, yet we are spending hundreds of thousands of dollars for a one-day parade….we should have those pieces put someplace, it can be an added attraction to our tourist product…” Hon. Christopher told Parliament.

Mrs Christopher called for a national museum to be built in the Virgin Islands.

Is the Minister for Culture doing anything?

Many residents have interpreted Hon. Delores Christopher’s indictment in the House of Assembly on the state of culture as a swipe at the Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V. Walwyn, both from the same political party.

Mr Walwyn’s critics have claimed that because he is not an indigenous Virgin Islander (none of his parents are born in the Virgin Islands) he does not have a deep sense of appreciation, knowledge and passion for the Virgin Islands culture and heritage.

They have claimed that Hon. Walwyn has not done anything in the area of culture and continues to be a divisive force in Virgin Islands’ politics.

In August of this year, Walwyn came under fire for using the occasion of our Emancipation celebration at the Sunday Morning Well to further divide the country over the issue of persons being born in the Virgin Islands of expat parents claiming that they should be given automatic rights. This is an issue that is not controlled by local immigration authorities but governed by the British Nationality Act, a fact known to Hon. Walwyn.

One talk show host labelled his remarks at the time of our freedom from slavery celebrations as “insensitive, disrespectful to our ancestors and trying to score political points.”

38 Responses to “Hon. Delores Christopher cries out for action on culture!”

  • xxxxxxxx (23/10/2013, 08:08) Like (14) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow fire MVW and give the lady the job
    • vex (23/10/2013, 11:13) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      that will be the best decsion ever made by doc smith
    • @ xxxxxxxxx (23/10/2013, 13:01) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Fire you say, that's like describing hurricane Ivan as a cold front..its long over due.

  • bvllander (23/10/2013, 08:09) Like (2) Dislike (7) Reply
    please check the hospital for mental record
  • again (23/10/2013, 08:39) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Where is the minister in all this? Awall again unless it’s a photo opps
  • Ah saw (23/10/2013, 08:42) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    Even the dead who on M**** side has come to life & is on his case. What a thing. They falling apart slowly but surely. Alvera need to do the same with him because he killing her quietly behind her back.

  • chupss (23/10/2013, 08:43) Like (6) Dislike (9) Reply

    Minister Walwyn has divided no one...Who are you trying to fool, the man articulated a philosophy where children born here are given the same right as children whose parents were also born here and you call that divisive? You people are divided at heart and mind, that why every thing said no matter the tone results in division. That religious mentality have ayo wrecked!!!

    • To chups (23/10/2013, 09:23) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

      I admire your support for this drowning, d****f*l man but he is d*v*d*ng our country daily.

    • @ chupss (23/10/2013, 11:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      The lenghts that some go to continue to hold Walwyn in this positive light is amazing.

  • TO the two women (23/10/2013, 08:48) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply

    I hope these two NDP women & the 7th & 8th rep & the Opposition members for the 1st, 3rd & 9th know that M**** has his committee members calling every home in those districts to see what issues they have so that he, not his NDP government, can address them so he can try to make those individuals for those areas look bad & get them out because he doesn't like them but tell him go & come again. He even can't get his Ministry run but he want to run other people's affairs.

    • Leh we do dis THING (23/10/2013, 10:13) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
      The NDP are a set of weaklings and are not seen to be doing much in their District so why cant the At Large Rep reach out to people? He's the real ACTION MAN and that's what eating you guys. Mark my words next time around no matter if he running NDP, VIP, PPA, Indie, he will get the most At-Large votes. We want him back in Education and nothing you say or do can change that. He may have his personal ways but as a Minister you have to give jack his jacket, he is performing.
      • GET A LIFE (23/10/2013, 10:35) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

        M*** doing more crap in education than ever before & time will clearly show it. His speeches sound good but on the ground in education hardly anyone understands what he is doing.

    • one eye roster (24/10/2013, 01:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don't agree.
  • Hmmmm (23/10/2013, 08:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I cry out for action from government
    • Real! (23/10/2013, 10:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      And if he were to focus on Culture, you would ask why Culture can't wait because Education should be more important. No win with you guys. Funny how the people balling the loudest are the same ones that don't want to pay NHI, Social Security, Departure Tax or any other fees, but want Government to work wonders. You all have a rude awakening coming sooner than you think trust me.
      • polo (23/10/2013, 12:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        uh huh, "you can't compare the the bad policy of NHI or higer taxes to what NDP is doing to this country" blah blah blah

  • revelation time (23/10/2013, 09:23) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    We no it is pure wickedness trying to undermine minister but be clear on this..evil will not win...EVIL WILL NOT WIN...Walwyn will be re-elected...The people not dumb like u think. Sit down Satan...u and your advocates will be defeated...DEFEATED!!!!
    • @ revelation time (23/10/2013, 09:29) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      scatter mvw stop using god for politics
    • teahers of the BVI (23/10/2013, 12:00) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Don't know why anyone who is at all sane would be interested in anything this joker M... is involved in. I mean, he's so "yesterday's news".like a newspaper left out in the rain now completey sodden and a bit smelly.

      Can we just move on away from his rubbish input, please? I'm enjoying the fresh breeze outside of the trash can so much.

  • To Revelation Time (23/10/2013, 09:32) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply

    Amen! Evil will NOT win! So be sure to tell him enjoy his last days of his ongoing E*** reign.

  • Real (23/10/2013, 10:09) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    You all crazy? You could imagine Delores as Minister of Education and Culture? I swear to God people don't like this country!!!!
  • I THINK (23/10/2013, 10:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I THINK THEY NEED TO SPLIT EDUCATION AND CULTURE...GIVE CULTURE TO DELORIS 100%....NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT, AFTER ALL THIS SMALL COUNTRY HAS HOW MANY DISTRICTS? :/ JUST SAYING
  • facts (23/10/2013, 11:16) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    no malone should have got the ministry not the lady
    • masses (23/10/2013, 12:13) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      It was a negative move on our constitution to have Myron seated in our house of assembly. And will be a bigger mess starting next election.
  • wise up (23/10/2013, 11:19) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    culture is great; making sure the youth of this country get jobs is far more important an isuue right now...these are the kind of jokers running this country...one should deal with the more pressing matters frist
  • long look me come from (23/10/2013, 11:23) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    very good points Sister Deloris you are one of we i aint care what a man say about you!!!
  • GoonSquad (23/10/2013, 12:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply

    I can't "B$%it" on this one. Of course it was a jab at Myron.

  • Release (23/10/2013, 12:15) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hon. Christopher is right and we should all take note!
  • want not (23/10/2013, 15:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    lawd ah mussy sounds like she wants Myron JOB
  • ASHAMED (23/10/2013, 17:40) Like (2) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why are you all so filled with hate for each other? The outside world is reading all this disrespect and nasty, evil behaviour from you so-call natives. Can't you all respect each other and your leaders? It is no surprise that your country is sinking. You all are your worst enemies. The REAL BVIslanders are rolling in thrir graves. You can voice your opinions without being disrespectful of your Leaders' position. You all behave like animals and the most hateful nasty and evil people in the Caribbean. We were better than that.
    • yes (23/10/2013, 19:13) Like (5) Dislike (1) Reply
      Ashamed don't worry, it's a hand full of idiots posting the same nonsense over and over especially when Walwyn or his Ministry is mentioned. They tried it election time and failed, they will fail terribly once again. I do agree that it makes us look bad but you can tell who's serious and who's not. Nothing is wrong with being against NDP or whoever but it's the way in which we conduct ourselves. We can agree to disagree in a more civilised manner. At the end of the day regardless of politics we all have to live here and among each other. You think after all the bachanal in the house these guys have any malice with each other? Go out anywhere and see they're all chummy and laughing, drinking, eating with each other while you all here making fools of yourselves. Wake up man this is our country and we should be putting forward solutions not fighting down eachother. Make your points, debate the issues and let's do so without calling people names It's shameful to see what's going on looking at the blogs. Shame.
  • @@@@@@ (24/10/2013, 02:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    What a lost country, how did all this happen under the watchful eyes of doc smith?
    • NDP voter (24/10/2013, 07:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      the country will be ok but its just M & M are destroying the NDP
  • need to fix the road (28/10/2013, 10:48) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the road in Huntums Ghut need to fix bad, the bridge there by Edgar shop about to collapse, there a big hole on the incline up to ronie bar and as for going further in a mess. ms Christopher we need you to fix up huntums ghut then after then you can bawl about culture.
  • NDP 5th supporter (29/10/2013, 13:24) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dee you are doing good things but get back to work in the 5th. Certain peolpe have starting showing up after two years of not seeing them. We are only seeing you drive by. Get back to your election champaign promises.
    I am a fan but your clock is clicking. Do your job!!


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