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‘We’re building this country but leaving the people behind culturally’- Rev. Turnbull

Outspoken Virgin Islands (VI) Pastor, Reverend Melvin A. Turnbull says there is a disconnect in the VI where the territory is being built but the people are being left behind culturally, especially the territory’s children. Photo: CGB Baptist Church
Host Mr Cromwell Smith in supporting the sentiments, pointed to Territory Day and the absence of a large support of Virgin Islanders, “On the Queen’s birthday, all our children… we have our children out, the police out, everybody was dressed up in their fancy hat and finest garments celebrating the Queen’s birthday,” he said. Photo: GIS
Host Mr Cromwell Smith in supporting the sentiments, pointed to Territory Day and the absence of a large support of Virgin Islanders, “On the Queen’s birthday, all our children… we have our children out, the police out, everybody was dressed up in their fancy hat and finest garments celebrating the Queen’s birthday,” he said. Photo: GIS
BAUGHERS BAY, Tortola, VI – Outspoken Virgin Islands (VI) Pastor, Reverend Melvin A. Turnbull says there is a disconnect in the VI where the territory is being built but the people are being left behind culturally, especially the territory’s children.

Reverend Turnbull made the comments during the Thursday, July 4, 2019, edition of his ‘Umoja’ show, with host Cromwell Smith aka 'Edju En Ka' when he pointed out that getting people involved in local cultural activities is not about politics, rather about nation-building.

Disconnect

“There is a disconnect. We’re building this country but we are leaving the people behind, especially the children. And so we have been seeking to get them involved from an early age so that they can have a deeper appreciation,” he told the listening audience.

“You look at the celebration of Territory Day and there is a tremendous absence of people who consider themselves BVIslanders, Belongers and yet we complain but we would support other activities put on by other people that have nothing to do with us.”

Rev Turnbull pointed out that supporting cultural events is about creating history for the people of the territory.

“Emancipation is all of our business and our people must come first, and the children must be brought along… we got to pass on this legacy to the children.”

Queen’s Birthday 

Host Mr Smith, in supporting the sentiments, pointed to Territory Day and the absence of a large support of Virgin Islanders. “On the Queen’s birthday, all our children… we have our children out, the police out, everybody was dressed up in their fancy hat and finest garments celebrating the Queen’s birthday,” he said.

“How do we get out children to be out in the hot sun supporting the Queen’s birthday, and we can’t get them out to support Territory Day?” Smith Questioned.

According to Rev Turnbull, the territory has a deep problem where locals only embrace culture and identity in private.

7 Responses to “‘We’re building this country but leaving the people behind culturally’- Rev. Turnbull ”

  • Huu (11/07/2019, 17:45) Like (2) Dislike (4) Reply
    Because the people fail to move along, they are stagnant and effuse to look ahead
    • Yo (12/07/2019, 05:27) Like (9) Dislike (1) Reply
      tell your boy Claude to reinburst the $500, 000. he got to spear head our youths and did nothing. thst money csn go along, long, way!
  • wize up (11/07/2019, 18:40) Like (17) Dislike (0) Reply
    I personally assume VI Culture is slipping away because back in the 70s/80s we looked forward to the village; man came back home just for festival: milo and the kings; Stanley; the happy seven: blue haze: bad ones(vi music @ a vi festival village) those day gone and I know that our vi culture have change: as an example I grew up eating ting like boil sugar apple and pig tail my children now eats chicken and chips: for me culture changes but our heritage as a people should not change: the local festival village is now a music festival..where are the virgin islands artist: the local village is no longer a cultural affair; the village is money generating platform
  • DON Q (11/07/2019, 19:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    He got talk
  • our church help (12/07/2019, 07:10) Like (1) Dislike (10) Reply
    our church leaders need to help and do not stay easy and permit a man who just come put of jail to be our guest at a brand new hotel .
  • 1 (12/07/2019, 08:46) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    The rev is correct
  • What a ting (13/07/2019, 21:33) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    Then alyo turn around and blame exp So who is suppose to be supporting BVI culture ? The exp or Bvi indigenous? Are you to nasty minded . Remember what happen to Pharoh and the Egyptians when they were enslaving the Israelites ?


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