Don’t fall for the trap
"Through political strategy they keep us hungry...and when we gotta get some food...our brother gotta be our enemy."
Ambush in the Night
- Bob Marley
History will always be our best teacher.
The British have always played the long game. They set both their pots, and plots, well in advance. Then they sit and simply wait for us to swim walk into.
We then get trapped.
Once we see or feel that there is no way out, we then turn on each other. Instead of turning on those that have set the traps.
That is how they conquered every continent on earth.
They are still doing it now.
Divide & Rule
Take a look at how persons are dividing themselves into small groups.
- Indigenous Virgin Islanders
- Belongers
- Work Permit holders
Arguing amongst ourselves as to who has a right to decide our future.
Meanwhile, the British have already decided in their own minds, and legislation, what our future is going to be.
Let us be clear on one thing.
In a real-world setting, 10,000 Virgin Islanders have no numerical political clout. Protests every other week won't cause the British to suddenly respect us and change course.
Calling into radio shows or sending around Whatsapps messages won't deter the Foreign Office in London.
Regional Unity
A few folks standing outside of Government House with placards will never dissuade the British from their agenda of Global Britain.
As seen recently, it was only when regional collective bodies such as CARICOM, OECS, and UWI stood up for the Virgin Islands, that the British backed down.
Collectively, these organisations represent 20 countries, of which 14 have votes in the United Nations.
That is what is called unified bargaining power.
That is what keeps the British from doing what they really want to do.
Reality check
At the recent CARICOM meeting in Suriname, every member state of CARICOM reaffirmed their commitment to defending the right of the Virgin Islands to determine their own destiny.
The reality is the Virgin Islands' population is majority persons from other islands. Some have gone on to become Belongers.
Others will most likely be long-term residents. It is their very same countries that have stood by our side.
The days of thinking only Indigenous Virgin Islanders will be enough to keep our economy going are long gone.
So, let us ask ourselves these questions
Will we understand that we need our Caribbean family as much as they need us?
Or will we allow ourselves to fall into the traps set by the British?
"To divide and rule is their only plan"
Jah Cure
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12 Responses to “Don’t fall for the trap”
Who is a Virgin Islander or Belonger has already been defined as per the constitution. What CARICOM members can do is instruct their citizens to respect the laws, rules, and regulations of another country. It is my opinion, everyone wants something, even CARICOM! Don't be fooled.
A Virgin Islander to the Nth generation
Moreover, colonialism was/is an extractive institution and vicious intended to benefit the colonialists, not local people. Slavery, colonialism, etc, are about command and control. These institutions generally don’t align well with democratic and human rights. The wakes/legacies left behind slavery, slave trade, and colonialism are rough.
The UK has been engaging in the command and control and diplomatic process for a long, long time. As Thomas noted, it plays the long, long game. Consequently, if the Virgin Islands(VI) (British) want to play in the game, it must learn the rules of the game and acquire the skills on how to play the game against a more experienced and adroit player like the UK.
To me, the VI lacks some knowledge on the rules of game, as well as some skills on how to play the game, leaving itself vulnerable to being mercifully beat up. There is strength in numbers. And if the VI wants to be treated as a equal and worthy partner, it must unite, cooperate, and collaborate for the common/public good of the VI. The VI got itself in the ghut and must take the personal initiative and engagement to extract itself from the ghut. It must lean forward, fail forward, and learn and develop from its failure. No one can care more for the VI than the VI people care for the VI. VI heal thyself.
7
“ The tactics used by the conquerors and colonialists to fully colonize the captured lands was to cultivate the support of the local leader(s) to go along with the plan of action.“ This has happened through slave trade-slavery-colonialism eras and is still alive and well. Virgin Islanders must be vigilant and avoid being getting played with a 6 for a 9.