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Premier calls for elimination of racism 'in all forms & places'

-Says VI has systematic issues to confront & overcome
Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) joining world leaders and global protesters in a demand to end to racism in all forms; especially against people of African heritage, says in the Virgin Islands, its citizens have similar issues to confront and overcome. Photo: GIS/File
The Premier speaking in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) said what the world is seeing happening in the United States and elsewhere, is the arrival of the tipping point after more than 100 years of hiding the serious issues of hate and discrimination under the carpet, or simply turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to it. Photo: BBC
The Premier speaking in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) said what the world is seeing happening in the United States and elsewhere, is the arrival of the tipping point after more than 100 years of hiding the serious issues of hate and discrimination under the carpet, or simply turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to it. Photo: BBC
Governor of the Virgin Islands, H.E. Augustus J. U. Jaspert. The Premier's statement on institutional racism comes after a recent call for the United Kingdom (UK) to allow persons from the Overseas Territories to be Governors in the region. Photo: VINO/File
Governor of the Virgin Islands, H.E. Augustus J. U. Jaspert. The Premier's statement on institutional racism comes after a recent call for the United Kingdom (UK) to allow persons from the Overseas Territories to be Governors in the region. Photo: VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI - Premier and Minister of Finance, Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1) joining world leaders and global protesters in a demand to end to racism in all forms; especially against people of African heritage, says in the Virgin Islands, its people have similar issues to confront and overcome.

"The murder of George Floyd in the United States and other incidents that are of a similar nature, have forced societies everywhere to confront the existence of systemic racism and how this has been used, repeatedly, over centuries in a deliberate strategy by some persons to retard the progress and mobility of black people, and to disproportionately favour others," Hon Fahie said in a Thursday, June 11, 2020, statement. 

Global tipping point 

The Premier speaking in the Virgin Islands (VI) House of Assembly (HoA) said what the world is seeing happening in the United States and elsewhere, is the arrival of the tipping point after more than 100 years of hiding the serious issues of hate and discrimination under the carpet, or simply turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to it.

'Mr Speaker, it is no secret that based on our own history here in the BVI, we do have some similar issues to confront and to overcome. And we have to deal with these issues sooner rather than later."

While not specifically addressing what those issues are in the VI, the Premier said they must not be left to fester, "It is better to be proactive than reactive, because being proactive significantly reduces the pain and the hurt, as compared to when the reactive route is used." 

The Premier's Statement comes after a recent call for the United Kingdom (UK) to allow persons from the Overseas Territories to be Governors in the region rather than the Uk sending its people to the various territories.

“Choose about two or three or five persons from the OT’s and put them in the UK and train them how to become governors and let them become governors in different OT’s but not the one they are from," he suggested. 

Addressing institutional racism 

Over the week's, Local social commentator, Claude O. Skelton-Cline has also been regarding the UK appointed Governor's seat and his office as an example of institutional racism retained from the territories colonial past.  

The Premier in his statement noted that racism has now wormed its way so deep into shaping how things are done, "what is considered to be right and wrong, and where we turn to for approval and recognition, that many of its manifestations have become recognized as the norm, thereby giving them legitimacy." 

The Leader of Government business said that in order to fix a problem, we first have to accept that it exists, "Racism is real, and, unfortunately, it has managed to bury its roots very deep into the systems that run countries, and the world, even up to today."

32 Responses to “Premier calls for elimination of racism 'in all forms & places' ”

  • Stop all forms of DISCRIMINATION (13/06/2020, 12:44) Like (21) Dislike (6) Reply
    Stop discriminating also against persons based on where they born, where their mother and father born, what their last name is, what political party they affiliated with. If we stopping with one BS, we might as well stop with all the BS.

    While on the topic of training, people on the police force need educational training on the law and how to be peace keepers, problem de-escalators, because pompous ignorance is not a good look and the force is full of them.

    Thank you.
    • Work place hot.. (13/06/2020, 14:11) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Only when immigration and labour stop turning a blind eye to it..
  • asking for a freind (13/06/2020, 12:59) Like (8) Dislike (16) Reply
    how can that be done with a white governor the symbol of white supremacy?
    • Troll @ asking for a friend (13/06/2020, 14:09) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      @ asking for a friend doesn't matter of the color of the skin of governor. it's about them doing their job as a governor. One of these days you all will get what you want based on outer appearance and then will suffer the consequences
    • @asking for a friend (13/06/2020, 15:20) Like (13) Dislike (4) Reply
      Stop being such a Jack...., will you? Color has nothing to do with anything. Most of you want a black Governor so you can swing his head to be like the scoundrels club. I am a black citizen and I don’t want or care for a black Governor. Blacks in Political Office can’t be trusted. This is the best Governor we have had so far.
  • Real (13/06/2020, 13:22) Like (7) Dislike (5) Reply
    Racism is rife in the yachting industry in the BVI.
    • Uncle Thom (13/06/2020, 19:10) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You are not an Uncle Thom but someone trying to stir trouble. However, if you are indeed an Uncle Thom, you are a sick puppy. Bet yu be grinning in the people face like Fitch it. Go get some help.
  • We in trouble (13/06/2020, 14:08) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Premier u kno that white business owners will put their type first even when they are not warrented...To add to that most black business owners still prefer the whites over their own, to add again most locals prefer the whites than their own colour.....its an up - hill task.. .Thanks for advancing the conversation though !!!
  • trrefdrfds (13/06/2020, 15:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let rip the roots of racism out ur country by changing laws that in favor colour ..the rich ...and direct new laws that protect justice to the hard working essential workers of the building block of the community..let teach the true history to educate ur youths of there history of origin and there journey here. So there could better have a tru understanding of who there are with pride of being a black man and woman so we can in turn have a better community and relation among ur self..it so much that was intentionally left undone it time to to address these issue from this point .else there is no other way for us to save ur youths.today...
  • Yes (13/06/2020, 15:13) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes it take a leader...honorable fahie ..these are real issue that are effecting community allover as a society humanity family etc. The time is at hand.
    .for systematicall racism to be address and stop from the two highest level of black and white to rich and poor
  • Hmm (13/06/2020, 15:41) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    So thats why expats should have been allowed back in same time with locals.
  • T (13/06/2020, 16:06) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    It doesn't have any thing as races in the British virgin island it is call envery & jolouicy that's it if u check it out there is no such thing as black and White look at the colours do you see any one fit those colours come on
  • Me Boy (13/06/2020, 16:58) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Discrimination is alive and kicking in the BVI . In the church, in families , in the community and in the work place . Not between black and white but between SOME locals and SOME expatriate . Even though you marry in the family if it is a brother the local women treat you with disdain and only want to use you when it is convenient for them . In family gatherings you are ignored and made to feel like you do not belong . When you work , they don’t want to pay you , no matter how you help to build and support , you are never acknowledged. All Christians . Hiding under a cloak
  • Political Observer (PO) (13/06/2020, 17:13) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    One of Martin Luther King, preacher, social activist and civil rights leader who was assassinated in Memphis, TN, fighting for rights of the lil man in 1963, favorite line is that, ‘the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. However, that arc is not going to even start to flatten on its own; it will require the moral conscience and relentless effort of many people. Racism rolled ashore in the VI ages ago and it was allowed to fester and accepted and is now embedded in the national landscape. People with their racist attitude and behaviour are allowed to live and thrive in the VI, though the population is majority Black. Self-hatred may have something to do with that.

    Colonialism and the plantation system were birthed and operated on race. The whole structure, ie, cultural, economic, economic, educational, law enforcement (notice a Her Majesty’s Prison but no Her Majesty’s High School, political, government, constitution....etc) was built on race. It started that way in 1672 and is so today. Slavery, the most dehumanizing event in human history, will that leave for another day.

    Another saying of MLK is, ‘the ultimate measured of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy. Let’s march on Saturday, June 20th, for marching, protest is an effective tool of the unheard.
  • Boo (13/06/2020, 17:26) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    ..and time for the political victimisation to stop as well
  • Let’s begin (13/06/2020, 17:42) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mr. Premier, you hired a racist to be a Consultant. There is a level of hatred he has against the Governor. He cannot control this Governor, so true, he is jealous and intimidated by the Governor. Watch your back and develop a extra pair of eyes Mr. Governor.
    • @ let's begin (13/06/2020, 19:36) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
      How can a powerless black man be a racist when the governor is the one with the power and here because of colonization. You racists need to stop spread propaganda.

      Claude can never be a racist NEVER
  • blm (13/06/2020, 18:08) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    We see it here at some white own restaurants....when black people start going there they stop come we see it always by them self and talks bad about local when they show up
    • @blm (13/06/2020, 20:04) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      I am a black woman and I have dined in white owned restaurants plenty and had no problems. Being as transparent as I can be, some of you blacks don’t have any type of table manners or you are just to loud.
  • Yacht charter (13/06/2020, 18:16) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Some off the charter companies only want to hire white captain especially crew Yacth boat ...and not what the guest want they always say they like the local captain... it the company make it seem that way
    • BuzzBvi (13/06/2020, 20:44) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      You think it will help to give people the choice. Black server/white server. Black Captain/White Captain. Black driver/White Driver. Black cleaner/ White Cleaner. Black Chef/White Chef. Just needs a tick box on the form. It may not work the way you think and will definitely not help the world move on from choosing due to race or colour, religion or whatever other reason you want to encourage discrimination for. What about given a chance for the Asians or latinos or how about we just have the best captains available whatever their race, colour, gender etc. and give the disadvantaged the means to be the best and take ugly thinking out of everything.
  • The Nation (13/06/2020, 19:34) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    I for one believe blacks cannot be racist so the governor must go!
  • @blm (14/06/2020, 05:34) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Would imagine u at home with ur so called table manners .....hmmmmm.....people like u !!
  • @lets begin (14/06/2020, 07:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    We really need to learn our history.
    Who have the majority of the highest positions and highest paid salaries in these trust companies,...they come here knowing nothing and get positions by the white managing directors and CEOs in the global head office, while junior staff have to train them, junior staff who makes a 1/3rd of what they make. Meanwhile those junior staff could only buy cars, while we have the uncle toms fronting for these expats who earn these big salaries, buying land and houses for them. Big positions, big pay andBVIdlanders with similar qualifications or better have no seniority and less pay. Where is the justice in that.

    Stop your nonsense about Claude, he speaks truth, very articulate and intelligent and because of that you and a whole lot of BVI people don’t like him..The ******** is racist, he is arranging his people in the UK to come down and take over the minohe can get his hands on this gold pebble, thank God the other Government is not in control, the gold pebble would be history.

  • @let begin (14/06/2020, 09:54) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Yes stand up for rigtheousness.
    .he speaking the truth a lot u all turn a blind eye to all these years....claude ur works not just on sunday but every day .....where the rest of them holy sheep ...
  • on the island (14/06/2020, 10:00) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    The real racism is between the Tortola folks and the down Island people as they call them.
  • Welcome to the Jungle (14/06/2020, 10:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    You guys sat back and thought, no, this type of behavior will never hit or happen on my Island, we are immune from things like that, only in America things like that happen. Well guess what guys, no one is immune from anything. Every thing that you thought you were immune from is slowly creeping up on you. WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE GUYS.



  • stop giving away (15/06/2020, 05:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the system open the flood gates and now realizing the consequences of our actions: stop giving away the country to the so called investors just to balance the treasury books: after all of our people came through over the years; now given a listen the level of conversation in 2020. our territory came out of grant in aid back in 1975 now listen to our level of talk in 2020...progress is fabulous but if such progress in not Monitored we end where we are today...a lawless society
  • Jane (15/06/2020, 17:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    White person here. Never experienced racism personally until I moved to Tortola and also didnt appreciate my white privilege/sense of entitlement either. First racist experience happened about two days after arriving. Was waiting in line at the supermarket when a black lady with her son, who looked about 5 or 6, pushed in front of me, she loudly said to her son, "Never stand in line behind a white person". On the one hand I was saddened to be labelled by my skin colour, but on the other, it taught me a little bit about white entitlement and the shoe being on the other foot. Being white in Tortola isnt equivilent in any way to being African American or Black British and not going to pretend it is, but it has given me a tiny insight into how maybe that feels.

    I'd say most white people living in BVI are not racist in the way the KKK are racist, but a lot of people do have a "white saviour" mentality where the ineptitude of local government and the civil service is frequently mocked. Now oftentimes, it deserves to be mocked but this has nothing to do with the race of the people making the decisions but their own incompetence and stupidity. There are plenty of corrupt and incompetent white civil servants and politicians around the world. At least with the KKK there is no doubting their view point, but sometimes this less overt racism can be more insidious because it is harder to spot but it is there. There are also specific prejudices directed to Belongers, rather than people of colour overall. This is because outsiders dont feel on an equal footing (because they are not) and so there is a reluctance to employ them, for example, because it can be more challenging to lay them off if they do not perform. A white employer, without permanent residency is going to be loathe to put themselves in the firing line with the Labor & Immigration Department, so its better to not employ Belongers for that reasons. not saying this is right, but this is the reality. This needs systemic change, which includes protection for both Belongers and Non Belongers. Opening up the labour market to collective bargaining and trade unions might also offer better protection for all employees of all ethnicities and nationalities. I am afraid to say, I have worked with some very lazy Belongers who made it clear that once their foot was in the door, they would sit back and collect a payslip. They made it clear to management that if any attempt was made to sack them that they would cry foul and cause problems for the (foreign) manager. So in one case, that person took a very well paid job ($90,000 per year) and did virtually no work for almost five years until they eventually left of their own volition. The other Belongers in the office saw exactly what this person was doing and were mighty p***ed off about it. Those people were hard working and diligent and excellent in their roles, These Bad Apples do a lot to sour the barrel for the many more BVIslanders who want to work hard and succeed. I agree with the protectionist sentiment of putting BVislanders first, but it has to be a merit based approach and employers also need to be supported so that people who are capitalising on their preferential status do not take advantage of it. One Love to All.
  • Thank you Premier (16/06/2020, 13:06) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply

    Please investigate racist discriminatory employment policy at go**** o*****. Why only black servants? Why only white non belongers get high paid jobs there? Why jobs not advertised to belongers to apply to?

    Please investigate possible discrimination there.

  • lol (18/06/2020, 13:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can't we just all get along.I like fried chicken and I like cucumber and Marmite sandwiches .Mumble rap sucks tho.


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