'Just a handful' of Virgin Islanders are happy to be from here- Belonger
"In all honesty, I think, we have just a handful of BVIslander or Belongers who actually express that they are happy for where they are from," she said.
Mrs Hodge-Frank was at the time speaking on the February 26, 2020 episode of ‘Real Talk’ with host Karia J. Christopher, along with guest Maria V. Glasco-Smith, where she noted that although she gave birth to her own children in the US, while not living there, she remains baffled as to why Virgin Islanders don't embrace their culture.
"Sometimes you would hear people [say] oh, I can't wait to go back where I come from...I would be like why you just don't go back! Like literally, you need to just go back!" she said.
Territory Day
According to Hodge-Frank, while the VI is a stepping stone and provides new opportunities for many, celebrating one's culture should also come with celebrating the culture of the Virgin Islands.
"We should make Territory Day a big deal, that's how I see it. My children, they have to go to school dressed in their Territory clothes when that day comes, it's no if's, ends or buts."
She continued, "On the other side, we have people who come from where they come from but they don't want their children dressed in our clothes when it is Territory Day. They find it as offensive, they want to put their children in their culture clothes, which is disrespectful."
Hodge-Frank added that as a Belonger she remains very proud of the VI and underscored that being born on US soil provided additional opportunities.
Understanding the issue
According to Mrs Christoper, locals not being proud BVIlanders could be due to a lack of cultural appreciation. She said expats latch on to their culture as in the case of Latinos.
"It says that there is a problem, when we have children who are five and six who come to school in the Latino wear, the Cuban wear, the Haitian Wear... on our Territory Day. I think it sends a bigger picture of what is wrong with our country in terms of BVI pride."
Hodge-Frank agreed. "You think that is bad? What's even worst is that we know that one of the parents is BVI born... and they still sending their children in, say for instance, where their father from culture wear."
Latino heritage Belonger, Mrs Glasco-Smith said Territory Day should be respected as a day for the VI, while noting that Latinos remain proud people who always embrace and celebrate their cultures.
Territory Day will be observed on Wednesday, July 1, 2020.
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57 Responses to “'Just a handful' of Virgin Islanders are happy to be from here- Belonger”
The other 2 LOCAL BVI belongers!
Locals first that’s why m..... ain’t get in we don’t want no Vincy as our First Lady crazy knows nothing about our history.
@ lawd I’m with you no vincy woman for our First Lady then all the Vincentians thinking them on the same level as we here, some them just come here killing we locals then drinking them garden poison. Facts
some only here because of the United States currency. However you have to point your finger at immigration and labor department....
Just wait a little Carona virus will distinguish Belonger from Island man.
My Ancestral, traditional Bvilanders where you at ??
B.V.I stand up , and stand out ! #positively