‘Seriously governor? Singing & dancing for the Prince?’- Cromwell Smith
His Royal Highness will be visiting the Virgin Islands on Saturday, November 18, 2017.
Talk show host and community activist Mr Cromwell Smith aka ‘Edju En Ka’ has taken issue with Governor Jaspert’s Tweet which read: “Please join us in welcoming the Prince of Wales to our islands at the Queen Elizabeth Park II on Saturday afternoon.
“There will be music and dancers to entertain. Arrive by 2:15 P.M.”
Seriously Governor?
Writing on his Facebook page today, November 17, 2017, Mr Smith criticised the Governor for being insensitive to the predicament of the Virgin Islands following the destruction of Hurricane Irma and the United Kingdom being limited in its assistance to the Overseas Territory.
“In our time of disaster, distress and mourning for the loss of our loved ones? You need to attune yourself to our historic and cultural sensibilities! While other countries are aiding their dependancies, we are still around the table with hat in hand! And you talking about dancing and singing for the prince? Seriously?” Mr Smith wrote on his Facebook page.
Less than meaningful visitations
Mr Smith’s comments drew responses in support and against.
A Richard Georges said: “This is another in a list of less than meaningful visitations. I really don’t see the need for festivities... if Prince Charles is coming to see the recovery effort, why waste time with the same old colonial celebration? Go spend time talking with first responders, schoolchildren, the elderly, our linesmen, and those involved in the first line of recovery.”
A Dalan M. Vanterpool commented: “Funny. The Governor was a BVI god or messiah for some people a few weeks ago.
Let’s pause our lives to put on a poppy show honoring the Premier! That sounds crazy right? Facebook & local media would be on fire. “That’s what they doing before dem fix the road???”
This a good reminder that it’s still business as usual. Don’t get distracted.”
Meanwhile, A Johanna Boyd said: “I see nothing wrong with that invite. I hear music coming from certain establishments in Road Town up until curfew time where folks are out drinking and dancing. Let us not find negative in something with good intentions.”
Boyd’s comments drew a response from Mr Smith, who stated, among other comments, “…It’s a sore point for many of us who know that history and have experience racism first hand. We are always being called on to be forgiving and loving and that’s a good thing. However, I would also like to see a little more sensitivity and remorse on the other side. Especially in light of the gyrations we are having to go through and the way they treat our premier to get some much needed financial assistance, when other countries that fall under the same policies they are touting have already assisted their dependencies’. Eg France. Certainly you can understand my ire.”
The Prince of Wales was scheduled to arrive in Antigua and Barbuda today, Friday November 17, 2017 conducting engagements on the island of Antigua that day. His Royal Highness will visit Barbuda and the British Virgin Islands on Saturday November 18. On the final day of the tour, Sunday November 19, The Prince will conduct engagements in Dominica.
During the tour The Prince of Wales will meet members of the local communities and hear about the ways in which they have been recovering since the storms hit the islands.
.png)
.png)
.png)
Follow Us On
30 Responses to “‘Seriously governor? Singing & dancing for the Prince?’- Cromwell Smith”
Mr Smith you made some good points but remember If we were managing our finances better we would not have to be around the table with a hat begging. That is what made us different from the United states Virgin islands an independent mind thinking self sufficient people that had more autonomy running our country than any other colony in the world.
We as a people have missed the point we have to make those who should be accountable for their actions.
@ Belonger: We must organize, organize and organize. Then we must agitate, agitate and agitate until we get what is duly ours.
We need to open our heart and fill it with love, look for the beauty in life and in each other and train ourselves to stay in that place of beauty and love. It makes a positive difference in our everyday living and reduces all the stress we keep inside making us hard and uncaring. Please try it, for you for your children, for your country. Be of peace, be of love.