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Don’t get lost in labels, we must defend what is ours- Troy E. Christopher

Mr Troy E. Christopher made his first appearance on Honestly Speaking on April 29, 2025. Photo: Facebook
(L-R) Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline and guest Mr Troy E. Christopher on Honestly Speaking on April 29, 2025. Photo: Facebook
(L-R) Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline and guest Mr Troy E. Christopher on Honestly Speaking on April 29, 2025. Photo: Facebook
Mr Troy E. Christopher has said the Virgin Islands' people must never shy away from asserting and defending their homeland. Photo: Internet Source
Mr Troy E. Christopher has said the Virgin Islands' people must never shy away from asserting and defending their homeland. Photo: Internet Source
BAUGHER'S BAY, Tortola, VI- The Virgin Islands (VI) and its people have been recognised internationally, “as a people and a grouping that has a right—a right to decide for themselves their future, their survival, their lifestyle.”

This, according to Mr Troy E. Christopher during his first appearance on Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline's Honestly Speaking radio broadcast on April 30, 2025, at which time, the Territory’s self-determination and or independence was at the heart of the discourse

According to Mr Christopher, “You have been recognised internationally from all those countries, 170 something countries.”

24 square-miles

To this end, he argues, “Your freedom doesn't start when you reach a state or when you become independent; It starts from that moment when you have already been recognised as a people, a grouping internationally.”

He used the occasion to caution against getting lost in the labels of political status—be it statehood, independence or republic status—and instead urged the populace to ground their arguments in their fundamental, internationally recognised rights. 

“We as a people have an inherent right. That is correct. Yes. It's very important for us to start there; That's the foundation of the argument.” Despite the small size of the territory—“a small little 24 square mile”- Mr Christopher was adamant that the Virgin Islands' people must never shy away from asserting and defending their homeland. 

“As small as it is, you still have to fight for it. Don't believe that people will say, well, that's just a little small place, leave the people be.”

Global relevance 

Qualifying his position further, Mr Christopher drew reference to the international role played by the VI, especially in global commerce through financial services, and argues that, although the territory comprises a minuscule fraction of the world map, it punches well above its weight economically.

“Our current function—I think it’s 2% or something; We’re responsible for more than most in terms of our contribution, given the trillions of dollars.”

This, he said, ensures that when the world’s most powerful economic forums meet, “the Virgin Islands as a destination, as a jurisdiction, is understandably a part of the conversation.”

8 Responses to “Don’t get lost in labels, we must defend what is ours- Troy E. Christopher ”

  • 2024 (03/05/2025, 10:27) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Troy for District 2 or what; representing the NDP or At Large with the Newly Formed Political Alliance
  • TurtleDove (03/05/2025, 10:35) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    He has to continue to educate the residents about independence
  • Taught (03/05/2025, 10:42) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    You You were and intelligent and someone with Common sense.
  • Not lost (03/05/2025, 13:05) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Am an indigenous expatriate belonger citizen. I know who I am.
  • oh well (03/05/2025, 13:44) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    lets fix what is ours and have it look like we care about what is ours not just defend it .
  • Roger Burnett (03/05/2025, 15:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Although the British Virgin Islands play a leading role in international financial services, should that be the island's preeminent attribute? Considering that those services exist largely to protect the wealth of others, I doubt that they qualify as a desirable identity.

  • missed the point (03/05/2025, 16:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i think you all missed the point he was making, the territory is already free if its free in your hearts and minds, dont waste time trying to label it and be wanting it to be independent, it already is as much as it can be , to ask and strive for more will take much better leadership that is at the helm today, if a referendum was set for independence it would sway heavily in the favour of staying in the commenwealth for the protections it brings


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