Dr Quincy F. Lettsome felt that Black History Month is now seeking to empower ViIslanders with their culture and to look back on their direct ancestors and thought that was a very good focus. Photo:VINO

HLSCC students have engaged in research of VIslanders of African ancestry during Black History Month as part of the Virgin Islands Studies programme but for the greater part, do not place much emphasis on studies related to African History. Photo:VINO

Members of the New Life Baptist Church choir dressed in traditional African wear during their Heroes Day observance service. Photo:VINO/file

Carter G. Woodson is credited as the person who started Negro History Week which later transformed into Black History Month in 1976. Photo:aahumanism.net

Leader of the Positive Action Movement, Mr Noel Lloyd, is hailed as a historical figure of African ancestry within the Virgin Islands. Photo:squareball.net

The observance, which sees its origin in the United States of America, is also typically referred to as African-American History month, but has also spread to various parts of the world such as Canada and the United Kingdom (UK) for instance. The UK observes the annual celebration in October of each year.

According to the African American History Month official website, the observance was started by Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as Negro History Week but later graduated into a month-long celebration in 1976. It was at this time that President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavour throughout our history.”

Speaking with several students at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) campus, it was discovered that many, if not most of the students, do not observe the tradition either in their classes or extra-curricular groups on campus.

It was gleaned from various sources at the HLSCC that there is currently no singular course of study dedicated to Black History at the College. There were however, several courses dedicated to Virgin Islands History and the recognition of notable figures of African ancestry within the Territory. Students have also been researching figures such as H. Lavity Stoutt over the past month as part of the Virgin Islands Studies programme. There is also an African Studies Club that has been doing some research within the area of Black History

A former student at the college, Mr Touche D. McLean, noted that he was part of a group formed with a few peers of his called ‘Disciples of Truth’ (DOT) which had been dedicated to the study and discussion of African history as it has evolved over the centuries. Much of the discussions were centred from a biblical perspective, he indicated, and over the past two years the group has maintained a core membership of four persons.

The group previously met at the Noel Lloyd Positive Action Movement Park in Road Town to discuss their ideas and raise questions that were pertinent to the studies and received new members over the years but membership has been inconsistent for the greater part as persons expressed interest momentarily but later stopped attending for various reasons.

At least one church within the Virgin Islands holds an annual observation that celebrates the contributions of various descendants of Africans during the month of February as well. The New Life Baptist Church held its ninth annual observance of Heroes day on February 24, 2013, recognising the services of three stalwarts within the community of the Virgin Islands. During the observation, members of the church, including its choir, often dress in African wear, which adds to the significance of the observation.

Noted Historian within the Virgin Islands and further afield, Dr Quincy F. Lettsome, also offered a few thoughts of his own on the subject of the celebration and African heroes in the history of the Virgin Islands.

He explained that the observance of African history spilled over into the Virgin Islands and other parts of the Caribbean during the 60s and 70s with the emergence of Black Power movements within the US and persons began wearing their hair in the Afro style and dressing with dashikis, a traditional mode of African dress.

A greater consciousness of African culture continued to grow during the 80s, according to Dr Lettsome, and older persons would write about African history within the Territory. There was also the emergence of a lot of African craft. Dr Lettsome also stated that over the years he has given an annual speech at the East End/Long Look Festival on the history of Africans within the Territory as well.

Regarding the struggle of Blacks against colonialism and slavery within the Territory, Dr Lettsome stated, “During slavery, history has taught us about a lot of things that happened to us as a people… people in the Virgin Islands never surrendered…” He explained that there were a lot of riots on the estates over the years.

He talked about the struggle of Noel Lloyd and the Positive Action Movement (PAM) and the leasing of land in Wickhams Cay for 99 years and what it took to regain that land for the people of the Virgin Islands. Dr Lettsome mentioned that it was stated at the time, that no locals were to come beyond a certain point in the area unless they were working and revealed that this had ‘inflamed’ the population. He said the British Government provided a loan for the land to be re-bought because they felt the situation would cause riots within the Territory.

Dr Lettsome also noted the influence of the popular historical figure, Christopher Flemming of Long Look, who he related had stolen a boat in 1890 and later marched to Road Town, forcing the then Governor of the Territory to flee to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). The British Government later intervened in the situation, bringing Flemming before the courts for trial.

He explained that the situation had to have been very drastic as that is what it would have taken for someone to seize a boat at the time. Even though the British may have been sympathetic to the cause, they reportedly felt that it was wrong for the Governor to flee the jurisdiction leaving “the seat” open for other nations to come in and take the Territory.

“Right now, Black History Month means quite a lot,” Dr Lettsome explained, “it has come a long way and is now seeking to empower us and our culture.” “We have a history that is very good and I must applaud the Minister [for Education and Culture] for the address he gave on it.” Dr Lettsome further related that much of what the Virgin Islands ancestors of African descent have done has been hidden in history and Black History Month brought out a lot of these things.

“Black History Month is now seeking to empower us with our culture and to look back on our direct ancestors and I think that is a very good focus,” he ended.