‘I do not believe I’m a racist in any shape or form’- CoP Matthews
The Commissioner during a March 18, 2021, joint press conference alongside Premier Andrew A. Fahie (R1) and Governor John J. Rankin, CMG said that the illicit drugs trade was fueling unexplained wealth in the territory and the wealth is especially attractive to youths looking for a quick fix to get rich.
Unexplained Wealth
“When you look around and you notice that someone has got three or four homes, and two and three fast boats and a couple of nice cars, but they haven’t got a job, you have to ask yourself a question… where is their incoming from?” Mr Matthews asked.
The comments resulted in community outrage with some believing that the Commissioner was painting Virgin Islanders as corrupt; however, on the April 6, 2021, edition of the Honestly Speaking show, Mr Matthews admitted that while the comments may have offended some Virgin Islands, he explained that he was not talking about honest citizens.
“I am not talking about the hard-working, honest BVIslanders who have built their homes up from scratch and are enjoying the benefits of their hard work now… but that’s how it came out through somebody’s else eyes and ears,” he said.
Police & Gov’t have a duty to ask questions – ToP CoP
“I have to accept that, because if that’s what some black people thought this white guy was saying that day in the press conference, I can only apologise that was not what was intended,” he said.
He, however, said that some people in the Virgin Islands do have unexplained wealth and assets, as such, law enforcement is entitled to ask questions.
“When we identify people and then we see they don’t have any employment, they don’t pay any taxes in the BVI, they are not actually doing anything day in and day out that seem to contribute to the people of the BVI.”
My Matthews pointed out that the same people are buying cars, boats and building up houses; however, he said law enforcement and the police have a duty to investigate.
‘I am not a racist’ – CoP Matthews
“I do not believe I am a racist in any shape or form. I do not think I would have survived here a month if I had been. But I accept the fact that as a white guy living in a predominantly black country, I may say things on occasion that other people could interpret and say… I’m offended by it.”
Mr Matthews said he stands by the comments and accepts that he may have offended people. He said the way forward is to learn from those experiences.
“The last thing I would ever want to do is offend the good, hardworking, honest, decent and welcoming people… BV Islanders who have made me and my wife feel part of this community, we felt like we're BVIslanders here but I’ve got to say this, I don't mind offending the criminals,” he said.
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52 Responses to “‘I do not believe I’m a racist in any shape or form’- CoP Matthews”
Only if you are a guilty party you will talk that negativity about racism.
Most youngsters nowadays don't want to work. all they care about is the fast life and lots of money in their pockets.
That's why we having so many crimes lately. This is because some of them are greedy and unfair, and some of them are envious.
Most people understand the history, but not everyone mixes up the macro story of millions of people over 100s of years, with individuals in the here and now.
If the world was how you claim, every white person would be kicking, cursing and beating every black person every time they see one. Is that your experience? Yes or no? Or has a white person ever been good to you? Helped you? Trusted you? Loved you? Just been normal and decent and human to you? Stop mixing big story with small story to try and make a false reality. It does not help your fight for historic justice. Just makes the world full of hate.
He should have been on the plane with gus jaspert
And just how would you determine who should be questioned.... thank you.
How did we get here?
Is someone a racist because enough people say so on the blogs ?
And yes, I am white and this is written for the intelligent readers with red blood and gray matter - not you stupid asses projecting racism on everything to make yourselves sound wronged and righteous. Racism exists. It is vile. But most humans are good. Save your hate for the real bad ones. When they come, you’ll need it, and you’ll appreciate help from good people of any color.
De *****e people them brought it here. Remember when they started claiming the God given beaches as their own, or when they refused to higher locals but only befriend them to buy land, and they don't mingle with the locals only slithers from underneath their rocks when they feel something will affect them.
Hope your question was answered.
Stay woke my black people.
Those iof us who've lived around them in the UK know how they are and who they are, so he can go sell that bs to all the yard boys, uncle Toms, house Negros and Jimbos on this island who still mentally in slavery.
I put my money all on the leopard that he change his spot before the devil as for forgiveness. All day long...BS it in DNA deceitfulness...
EXACTLY....simple....nothing more to say...other than u can see how stupid and blind most of these people up out here on blog are ...he can look at u see wat u got ..no work and yes it drugs .....well we look at him see his friends who degrade our ancestors and surport the world biggest genocide that was committed against them ..that come oof like a norm to them his friends buddy's...get u &$ out of here u old fa*t. T
But the average white person like CoP Mathews has no special skills, obviously. He gets to go to the islands and get a well paid top job. His department cannot solve any crimes under his leadership. What immoral historical activities gave him that privilege?
If someone earned it through entrepreneurship or investment then there is ZERO need for them to worry.
Only criminals, REGARDLESS OF COLOUR (because we're not all racist or as ignorant as yourself), should be worrying. Hard working & law abiding citizens should be cheering for this legislation. This protects the innocent and roots out the guilty. Simple as.
If you call that an act of racism, you are just lying to yourself or you are truly simple in the head. You all can pretend what is not true is true but only for a while. Your fake racist bull already stinks but at some point it will infect you, not the rest of us who can distinguish real from nonsense. Hope you vaccinated against your own bull crap.