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EXCLUSIVE: ‘I am no racist!’ – Governor Duncan

-Governor John S. Duncan spent time fighting racism in Europe; said his statement about growing up in Africa was misrepresented
Governor John S. Duncan OBE called racism abhorrent. Photo: VINO
"I was not making a statement about racism. I was making a comment about the person that you would see as your Governor," Governor John S. Duncan said. Photo: Internet source
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – New Governor of the Virgin Islands His Excellency John S. Duncan OBE said that he abhors racism and that persons have sought to misrepresent what he said about growing up in Africa when he first came to the Territory.

Governor Duncan was responding to questions by this news site during an exclusive interview today November 20, 2014.

The question was premised on statements made by Duncan's predecessor William Boyd McCleary, who made the infamous statement, "I am not a racist."

"In the United Kingdom racism is a crime. That is very clear. On a personal level some people chose to misrepresent what I said in my opening statement [following my arrival in the Territory] that I was brought up in Africa," Governor Duncan said.

"I was not making a statement about racism. I was making a comment about the person that you would see as your Governor," he said.

"I'm probably different to some of the other governors that they might have seen because my heritage is a different heritage. I did not grow up in South London or somewhere like that. I grew up in an African country," he said.

"So I have a different background and I am proud of that heritage," he said. "It would be rather peculiar if someone with that heritage was a racist because I did not grow up in a white community. I grew up in a mixed community," he said.

"To answer your question more directly I suspect that there might be a few people who have put their lives on the line to deal with people being racist," he said.

He stated that one of his assignments was working to bring peace during the war in Kosovo, where it was racism between Europeans of different ethnicities; between Slavs and Albanians.

"I took up arms to protect those people who were engaged in that fight. So they are not many people who could say that they have put their life on the line to protect other people of different ethnicities," he said.

"It is an issue that on a personal level I find completely abhorrent. How could one human being [determine that he] is better or worse than another? It is completely inconceivable to me and that we should go even further than that and discriminate I find it totally abhorrent," he said.

49 Responses to “EXCLUSIVE: ‘I am no racist!’ – Governor Duncan”

  • His Excellency (20/11/2014, 14:53) Like (21) Dislike (0) Reply
    Deep down Sir- I know you are not- and I read people quite well- I hope some of the SEPARATISTS we have here follow your example
    • horace (21/11/2014, 13:11) Like (1) Dislike (6) Reply
      The main point continues to be the practice of sending a governor from the U.K. instead of a local person. This is but a modernised form of colonialism which appears to have been accepted and considered normal by the elected leadership by the British dependencies in the Caribbean. The powers of the governors for whom the people cannot vote, and who are always different ethnically than the population over which they rule, can only be considered as a mockery of democratic governance. We shall come to this realisation in the fullness of time.
  • Yes (20/11/2014, 14:59) Like (13) Dislike (28) Reply
    No one who is not an racist ever had to come in and claim that they are not. There's something in the soup.
    • @ lol (20/11/2014, 22:34) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Some interesting reading.
    • @LOL (21/11/2014, 11:32) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      @LOL, yes they have to when they are white but surrounded by black racists...it's the double standard...and for the record I am black.
  • Really? (20/11/2014, 15:00) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    WOW thanks i feel better now I am starting to like this due
  • Lazarus (20/11/2014, 15:00) Like (4) Dislike (10) Reply
    Growing up in APARTHEID is not the same as growing up in a AFRICAN country.
    • fool (21/11/2014, 08:44) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
      He didn't say which African country he grew up in - there are many. Educate yourself before you spew nonsense
      • eye doc (25/11/2014, 22:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Hate hurts the hater. Which is why there are so many extremely unhappy people in our country. Hate and compassion cannot co-exist.
  • xxxxxxxx (20/11/2014, 15:03) Like (24) Dislike (6) Reply
    So if he was a racist would he say he is??? ayo ppl fool fool…but I take him at his words
    • SATB (25/11/2014, 22:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      If you keep listening to bigots, all you will learn is how to be a better bigot.


  • one eye (20/11/2014, 15:12) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    Oooooook HE Duncan
  • Len (20/11/2014, 15:14) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Wait a minute is this De ju vue?
  • mother hen (20/11/2014, 15:21) Like (2) Dislike (6) Reply
    These governors realize that historically this type of behavior and conduct is just a 10 day wonder, the newspapers will eventually leave the story, and our collective mind will go on to the next 'wonder' ...
  • So true (20/11/2014, 15:23) Like (11) Dislike (1) Reply
    Well said Gov.
  • tola (20/11/2014, 15:51) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    I actually like this man.
  • tretretrete (20/11/2014, 16:13) Like (8) Dislike (23) Reply
    Whether he is racist or not....i dont know, BUT "SIR".... WE ARE NOT THE SAME..... physically at least! Lets put a black man and white man to stand in the sun.... Without melanin to protect your internal organs you quickly wilt and the sunblock only speeds up the cancer you get from the unfiltered UV rays. (FACT, see here http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/skin-cancer-and-skin-of-color). The colleagues who are so called doctors KNOW this but they want to get paid. At the end of the day we all have souls BUT knowing what makes us different PHYSICALLY is very important. WHY? Because what you do to a lab rat (mice with melanin removed) the outcome is the same for caucasians. On the other hand, you NEVER get the same result when using mice of color/melanin (FACT). The sun, is GREAT for people of color because the melanin repels much of the UV that destroys skin cells allowing us to literally absorb nourishment through light, (FACT). The data that reflected people getting cancer had nothing to do with people of color, it was ONLY for the Caucasian as they migrated to areas outside of habitats where they belonged to areas that did NOT suit them (FACT, but why would it be made common knowledge?). MOST food, skin and hair care products typically NEVER work for people of color because they are not tested on animals of color, just white mice, MELANIN is a HUGE factor. When you KNOW this type of information you then begin to understand why we must see that we are different, BUT that DOES NOT in NO WAY mean we cannot treat each other the same!!!!!! So please do not mis-understand me "SIR". We need more of the information on the role of melanin to be published.... It is just unfortunate that those who have 0 melanin along with making up only 2% of the world's population (though tv would have you believe otherwise) actually control the most powerful and effective means to SPREAD this type of knowledge.
  • UK student (20/11/2014, 16:30) Like (3) Dislike (4) Reply
    what about he ask the FCO that when he leave his replacement be a black FS officer that will speak volumes to his heart!!
    • Online Now (20/11/2014, 21:31) Like (3) Dislike (7) Reply
      Why? Because you see race as important? So , in fact, you are a racist!
  • woah (20/11/2014, 17:12) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    @hmmm, that is very interesting... it would explain many motives behind some shady work i am experiencing here on tortola if this was information they themselves knew. What you said about them being 2% of the global population and owning the media makes soo much sense. Simply due to the fact when something goes wrong that only affects them is revealed on tv, the whole world goes crazy thinking we bout to have something on epidemic levels when really....its just 2% of the population at risk or being affected. Lol knowledge truly is power, i feel better and much more relaxed about many things in life after reading
  • kkk (20/11/2014, 18:37) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Thanks for clearing the air
  • respect (20/11/2014, 19:12) Like (5) Dislike (28) Reply
    I bet you, once a man say (I am not a racist) you better check your self. He is most likely a racist... That's normally the comment of a guilty man.
  • Trotman (20/11/2014, 19:37) Like (3) Dislike (19) Reply
    We want a recall. We want a black governor. Either one from the UK or one from the Virgin Islands.
  • leo (20/11/2014, 20:35) Like (2) Dislike (5) Reply
    why not give us the entire script VINO
  • Gerber (20/11/2014, 20:44) Like (14) Dislike (2) Reply
    You do not have to defend yourself. Let your actions in the BVI speak for you. Words are cheap. Live it! show it! No one can hide behind a smoke screen. It will come out.
  • egg face (20/11/2014, 20:50) Like (1) Dislike (14) Reply
    racial dichotomy, ideology and racial identity are nearly inseparable.
  • DEEP SOUTH (20/11/2014, 20:54) Like (5) Dislike (12) Reply
    I have black friends, I grew up in Africa, I fought racism in a previous life…. just hope deeds are not code words to cover up something!
  • Coin Collector (20/11/2014, 21:38) Like (2) Dislike (22) Reply
    after the last governor and how he behave towards our people, well now Duncan must be left finding what is the appropriate response to this question
  • Music (20/11/2014, 22:17) Like (13) Dislike (1) Reply
    And I suppose you bloggers are not racist? It works both ways you know.
  • ------------------ (20/11/2014, 22:33) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    John D stay quiet, best for you.
  • SAHRA PARLIN (20/11/2014, 22:44) Like (12) Dislike (26) Reply
    Why the hell in 2014 we have a non-elected governor of the BVI...that in itself to me is racism and white supremacy...End of Story
    • Real Talk (21/11/2014, 03:50) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
      when we grow some balls and go independent, are u ready for that!
      • @ real talk (21/11/2014, 07:56) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
        Independence you mad mehson...under this NDP government????. You want those of us who do not support them to go to jail with trump up charges. Do you want a Cuba or North Korea? More corruption? NEVE R! NEVER! I will rather the white man stay that any talk about independence under this government
    • Mannix (21/11/2014, 04:39) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
      Un-Democratically selected to.
  • Africa Calling (21/11/2014, 02:22) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    Dear Governer, If what you have to say is not sweeter than silence, please retain a tight lip for a while. It takes time to assimilate natures little secrets. It is not unusual for cosmopolitan sophisticated world travellers to discover you need time to be accepted here, and it hasn't changed for the past 300 years.
  • ReX FeRal (21/11/2014, 04:40) Like (0) Dislike (4) Reply
    Racism is an illness. Are you sick?
  • I like this dude (21/11/2014, 07:02) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am beginning to like this Governor
  • Music (21/11/2014, 10:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    BVI definition of racism - Whites hating on blacks? Seems like that sometimes.
    • Online Now (21/11/2014, 12:01) Like (3) Dislike (8) Reply
      No, BVI definition of a racist - anyone who is not black, especially anyone who is white.
  • civil servant (21/11/2014, 13:58) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    When he lock up ppl over the ports project then I will know he is serious about his job
    • pete (22/11/2014, 12:28) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Kudos for your comment. When is he going to investigate the procedure concerning ports project as indicated by the official, objective Audit? It was ordered by a higher-up and if not looked into, then officials get away with yet another slight of hand and violation of law.
  • Strupps (21/11/2014, 14:17) Like (7) Dislike (0) Reply
    Some a all you just see racism everywhere you want to. No matter what the man say you going call him racist because it suits YOU. Makes you sound like a victim. Makes you sound righteous.
    Makes no difference to you if the man is a good man, a fair man, a wise man or a decent human being - you don't want to know!
    Some of all you just want to hate on all whites every opportunity ayo get.
    So one ting I know: Is YOU who racist.
  • the big news site (21/11/2014, 17:52) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Vino I came even surprised John did an interview with you
  • TimTim (21/11/2014, 21:53) Like (0) Dislike (2) Reply
    Why the queen got to send down a white Governor in 2014? This is just a continuation of the massa'tile over us..t
  • Enforcement is Key (22/11/2014, 12:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just wait one day when the first white politician is elected to lead in the BVI. It will happen.
  • cnn (22/11/2014, 23:11) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ok governor next time we hear from you it should be about the ports corruption
  • sea weed (25/11/2014, 22:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Racists exist on ALL sides of the issue. We shouldn't forget that. Racism damages everyone, even the racists themselves, often enough.
  • Gizmo (27/11/2014, 08:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let him take a polygraph test, the results would speak for itself.


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