‘Where is the emancipation in VI Festival?’ - Bishop John I. Cline
Bishop Cline has always been and continues to be one not to be muzzled especially on matters of country, be it politics, religion or matters of the past and future pertinent to the British Overseas Territory of the Virgin Islands.
The 2017 edition of the annual emancipation and territory festivals came to an abrupt end on Monday August 7, 2017 when torrent rains ripped through most low lying areas of Tortola, destroying roads and other infrastructure and flooding homes and businesses.
That had resulted in all attention focused on the aftermath of the floods but the clergyman has not lost focus on what he failed to see materialise in the one week of activities that preceded the storm and attracted thousands at the Neil "Mr Melee" Blyden Festiville.
No semblance of the emancipation story
In a post-mortem in brief, Mr Cline told this news site, "We are celebrating emancipation and every night we go to that village, whether it be Road Town, East End or Carrot Bay, there is no semblance of the emancipation story."
"There is no one bringing to memory the road that our forefathers took, the freedom that they fought for and how they had to fight for that freedom?"
Bishop Cline further noted that there is no remembrance of when slavery was actually abolished and how it came to be. "There is no remembrance in terms of the true life in years gone by before there were financial services and tourism."
He noted that history was a "long road" and, according to him, "There will be no appreciation for where we are if we can't remember where we've come from and certainly I believe that the next generation to come will have an even less appreciation for emancipation and celebrate less and as the saying goes a people that forgets it's past is destined to repeat it."
The outspoken Mr Cline is preparing to come out with a national address in the next few days that will expand on this and touch other matters of country, including religion, politics and the recent tropical wave of August 7- 8, 2017.
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26 Responses to “‘Where is the emancipation in VI Festival?’ - Bishop John I. Cline”
You seem to be good at throwing up smoke screens.
A week end of festivity for those who want to party at some other time but emancipation week spread it over the territory bring back culture the old time way. Tell it to our sons and daughters. When we are finish they can take the education to the bank and Cash it. Knowledge is power.
this man need to be ashamed of himself
Nonetheless, efforts must be exerted now to promote the purpose of Emancipation celebrations. Slavery and Emancipation must be an integral part of the curriculum in primary, secondary, community college........etc; it should also be in the curriculum of private schools. Emancipation should be the core focus of Festival. Without change, in a few short years, the real meaning of the Emancipation celebration will be loss. Moreover, the Festival Committee must re-focus its effort, though challenging, on celebrating the reason for Emancipation.
VI culture is on the decline; it is being substituted with the culture of others. The VI must be proud of and celebrate its culture. The VI is now a melting pot; all roads leads to the VI(100+ nationalities now call the BVI home). The VI should employ and embrace the culture of its many nationalities to enrich it, not replace, its own culture. Our actions should result in our foreparents resting peacefully, knowing that their blood, sweat and tears was not in vain. Emancipation Festival 2018 should experience a rebirth. Let's make it happen!
Slogan: Festival 2018: Come Experience the Rebirth!
Theme: Remembering and honouring the sacrifice paid by our forefathers for our emancipation!!
Great start to get us back on the right track. BVI, leh we do this thing!!