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‘We are not so much expecting an apology’ - Skelton-Cline

-But says will pressure Governor over reparations comments in the name of VI’s ancestors
Social Commentator and clergyman, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline says he no longer expects that the outgoing Governor, H.E. Augustus J.U. Jaspert will apologise for statements made regarding paying reparations to the VI, however, he will continue to hold his ‘feet to the fire’ on behalf of the territory’s ancestors. Photo: VINO/File
On Monday, September 7, 2020, during an interview with 284 Media, Mr Jaspert said paying reparations to the VI for acts of slavery and the slave trade is not the position of the UK at the moment. He also called for relics of slavery such as the channel named after Slave Owner Sir Francis Drake to be preserved in the Territory for educational purposes. Photo: Facebook/File
On Monday, September 7, 2020, during an interview with 284 Media, Mr Jaspert said paying reparations to the VI for acts of slavery and the slave trade is not the position of the UK at the moment. He also called for relics of slavery such as the channel named after Slave Owner Sir Francis Drake to be preserved in the Territory for educational purposes. Photo: Facebook/File
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Social Commentator and clergyman, Mr Claude O. Skelton-Cline says he no longer expects that the outgoing Governor, H.E. Augustus J.U. Jaspert will apologise for statements made regarding paying reparations to the VI, however, he will continue to hold his ‘feet to the fire’ on behalf of the territory’s ancestors.

On Monday, September 7, 2020, during an interview with 284 Media, Mr Jaspert said paying reparations to the VI for acts of slavery and the slave trade is not the position of the UK at the moment.  

He also called for relics of slavery such as the channel named after slave owner Sir Francis Drake to be preserved in the Territory.

Keeping a record

However, despite calls from several in the community for the Governor to apologise, those calls have fallen on deft ears even as the insensitive remarks were outright condemned.

According to Skelton-Cline, “We're not so much expecting it [apology], but we have to put it and keep track and keep a record in the name of our ancestors that we will hold the forth and protect their service and sacrifice that has gotten us to where we are today,” he said on the Thursday, October 22, 2020 edition of the show.

Skelton-Cline said that the people of the territory has a responsibility to leave the place better than in was found as such, remarks by the governor ought to be condemned.

“To that end, we continue to hold each other and anyone else's feet to the fire who look to encroach and look to whether consciously or unconsciously, bring any hurt or harm to our people,” he said.

Systemic vigilance

He said further, there ought to be a systemic vigilance and zealousness in place to handle instances like that of the Governor on behalf of the ancestors.

“We have a responsibility to protect and to preserve the integrity, the rich history and heritage of our people and to carry that forward with the same fervour,” he said.

29 Responses to “‘We are not so much expecting an apology’ - Skelton-Cline”

  • facts (24/10/2020, 12:36) Like (23) Dislike (4) Reply
    A racist does not admit he is a racist
  • £££££ (24/10/2020, 12:54) Like (15) Dislike (11) Reply
    ayo aint tired?
    • @ vino (24/10/2020, 14:37) Like (11) Dislike (9) Reply
      No we are not!!!! we must fight everyday against racism and hate and white supremacy
      • shak (25/10/2020, 10:01) Like (9) Dislike (0) Reply
        We are talking about racism and being racist. How do we acquaint this when we are steadily killing , harming ,robbing, raping and going at our own flesh, blood color, and ethnicity. Black at black.
        Wheel and come again. Clean up your heart then come in line. Charity could begin in your heart. Look in the mirror and see who or what you see. Thats if you could see.
  • My girl (24/10/2020, 13:15) Like (19) Dislike (11) Reply
    Skeltoncline yahll wrap it up now, come on...
  • Truthfully Speaking (24/10/2020, 14:04) Like (9) Dislike (3) Reply
    It is evident that all have sinned against God and others, one way or the other. How then that a person that holds a christian Ministrial position is continue urging the community to hold theirs, and our UK appointed, Governor of the B.V.I feet to the fire that burns daily in some among us hearts? Also, why is such a large slice of our treasure money paid to instigators of divistion. And why are the wiser minded people in this country continue to be overlooked by posible 80% of our leaders, in the name of political ambitions, and attention seeking. Believe me, at lesst on this. Some among us, expecially self exalted ones, are extremely disgusting, as buzzing mosquitoes are.
  • My Take (24/10/2020, 14:38) Like (9) Dislike (13) Reply
    The man should not be allowed in the house of assembly to reach no queen’s speech period
  • Pandora's Box (24/10/2020, 15:56) Like (11) Dislike (7) Reply
    weather he apologize our not his reputation will follow him!!! like the Jews we of African descents will never FORGET
    • Really (24/10/2020, 21:18) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
      But you did forget, you forgot the Leopold II introduced to a book that states slavery is just and fair and you must obey your master. Now you all head to church and keep the lies alive but hey don't forget it was an African who sold you.
  • lol (24/10/2020, 17:25) Like (14) Dislike (7) Reply
    its stupid that they still trying to embarrass this man. you've done well governor
  • Stupidity (24/10/2020, 17:31) Like (13) Dislike (5) Reply
    The governor said nothong racist but state the position of the Btitish Government. When are you people going to get it on your thick head and syop followin SK and his lunacy.
  • cnn (24/10/2020, 17:33) Like (6) Dislike (11) Reply
    I never like this governor after his sick comments he should have gone home
  • Wandering (24/10/2020, 17:36) Like (5) Dislike (5) Reply
    The only how this man will apologies if the queen say so and it will never happen so pastor don't try that this is like butter to the sun
  • Worst governor ever!! (24/10/2020, 17:43) Like (5) Dislike (11) Reply
    We can’t wait for this dreadful governor, the worst one we’ve ever had, to finally leave our shores.

    Good Riddance To BAD RUBBISH!!

  • Kitchen Table Group Panel (24/10/2020, 18:26) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
    Mr. Cline, we the panel has come to the agreement that the said calls from several in the Community is the people that you SMIZE with. The Governor has nothing to apologize for, therefore, he should not. There is no LAW on books stating that he is mandated to do such.
  • Disinterested (24/10/2020, 18:52) Like (7) Dislike (6) Reply
    Is Augustus J.U. Jaspert going to apologize for his disrespectful, disparaging and dismissive comments about reparation for slave descendants and maintaining the names of murderers, pirates, buccaneers, brutes......etc on local landmarks? The VI needs an apology from AjU Jaspert, Barones Suggs, PM Boris Johnson and Her Majesty’s QEII for salvey. Slavery, slave labour, slave trade, colonialism, imperialism.....etc created wealth for many individuals, built UK capitalism, the UK economy, built the British empire, capitalize the industrial revolution......etc. Further, the UK borrowed and appropriated approximately £20M to pay slave owners for lost of their chattel property; loan was paid off in 2015. Generations of Black Britons help pay off a loan that paid slave owners who may have earned their ancestors. Everyone benefitted from slavery and exploited slave labour except for slaves. To date neither slave nor descendants have yet to get even a shilling. The failure to deliver even a half-hearted apology speaks volumes about the UK respect and disdain for slaves, their descendants and people of African descent in general. This should not be a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention and anyone who is proud of their Black heritage. Don’t be bamboozled by the fake smile and pretentiousness of many of these people. Racial hierarchy, White supremacy have always been front and center. Don’t be misled by the shiny objects. Furthermore, if he is not going to apologize, good riddance and have a celebration party when he is back in his flat in the UK. Be gone. Why give him a public platform in the HOA. Yeah, we got to play the fake diplomacy game. The same question reparation needs to be put to the income Governor by the hard charging BVI media.
    • Willie Lynch (25/10/2020, 08:30) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Trump spout Covid-19, Covid-19, COVID-19!!! You people spout Slavery, Slavery, Slavery!!!! Give it a rest. The world has moved on, for slavery was yesterday and today is the 21st Century. Yes, UK enslave your ancestors, take the colonies resources, take land to protect the UK fleet and use them for penal colonies. It is unfortunate how slaves were treated but the UK is broke and barely threading water. It is trying to stop tax leakage through the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill and Economic Substances Bill. Reparation will bankrupt the UK. The UK society was built on White superiority and White privilege so you cannot expect it to just change now. It has even convinced slave descendants that Whites are superior and some still do. The conditioning was very effective; millions are being made on hair straightening, skin bleaching........etc. White is right, Brown stick around and Black get back resonates. Let’s face it. There is a clear divide between Blacks and Whites. Blacks were happy with their lot until some sellout taught them how to read and write and a few saw the light and got uppity and believed they were equal, causing trouble with the natural order. You expect Whites to genuinely apologize to Blacks. Is there a snowball in hell. Cheer up mates. It is the way things were, the natural order in the universe.
      • Disinterested (25/10/2020, 13:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        @Willie Lynch, thanks for keeping it real. You bare your soul and the attitude of millions. Confession is good for the soul. For those who are blinded to the truth about racial beliefs, attitude and behaviour just remove the scales from your eyes and closely look around you. The truth is slapping us in the face. Let’s stop the nonsense that Whites are doing with us and go our backs. That is a fairy tale, a unicorn. Whites are about preserving White privilege and keeping us in our place, ie, subordinate to them. Let’s stop the Uncle Thoming; it looks pitiful. Stand up and be proud of who you are, inferior to no one .
  • Why is it (24/10/2020, 19:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why are they always publishing the above picture with the Pastor looking like a villain in a James Bond movie.
  • island girl (24/10/2020, 22:33) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    When he leave, England will send another one of its under cover racist governor.

    If by now you all don’t know England is one of the most racist place ever.
  • lol (25/10/2020, 08:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    God speed
  • notfromhere (25/10/2020, 08:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ayo should just hush. Cline so full of hot air he look like a balloon about to pop.
  • mad max (25/10/2020, 08:47) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Short memories on some things! The man was instrumental in getting the BVI back on its feet post Irma. He is clearly not a racist. One day you may find what a real racist Governor is. I hope it’s not with his replacement. Maybe it will be with the first non-white Governor.
  • asking for a friend (25/10/2020, 09:33) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    how can a man still be here in a black country with the title of Governor and have no respect for the people of the BVI

    where are those who said a cartoon was racist? Where are they now that we got racism from the governor?

    We have to fight the power
  • para (25/10/2020, 10:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is part of a greater claim that we the BVI people are big and smart enough to be an independent nation, to manage our own destiny, etc etc.
    And yet this kind of claim "he said it isn't the UK's position, so he MUST be racist – makes us all look SOOO dumb.
    Hush. Up. Cline. You don't speak for us!
  • Windy (25/10/2020, 11:31) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't get it. The Gov made a factual statement. Because you don't like it you expect him tp apologise ? Who do YOU think you are


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