‘I want political annexation with US Virgin Islands’- Abdul Shabazz
![A view from St Thomas, US Virgin Islands. The US Virgin Islands and [British] Virgin Islands share a long and rich history. Photo: VINO/File](https://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/cache/images/800x_2_20190524_101134_01.jpg)
Speaking exclusively with Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) recently, Mr Shabazz said this can be accomplished with the Virgin Islands proposing to Washington DC to be ‘annexed’ by the US Virgin Islands.
What is annexation?
Annexation is considered as the transfer of political sovereignty over a chunk of land to a new state. In the past this has been achieved by military conquest; however, annexation can be accomplished via non-military means.
The United States started as 13 colonies, but grew to be a nation of 50 states, as territorial growth came through other forms of annexation.
Texas, for example, was an independent republic that voted to allow its own annexation into the United States.
“My position on any political strategy for my Virgin Islands, and I stated it all the time and I believe is unique and an original position, I want political annexation with the US Virgin Islands,” Mr Shabazz stated.
“If I had it in my power to do this, this is where I would want to direct my country- political annexation to the US Virgin Islands.”
Heritage & cultural ties with USVI
Shabazz argued that the VI, which uses the US dollar as its currency, can make the case for annexation since it shares strong heritage and cultural ties with the US Virgin Islands.
“When we speak to Washington, this is one area of proof, also the history, where we migrated in the 40s and 50s and 60s to work in St Thomas. They can check Immigration and see what happened with Tortolians and St Thomians for the past number of years and see how we exist, the way we exist under both flags and have a rapport knowing that we are not a foreign people to the US Virgin Islands. It seems so on paper and politically but by heritage it is far from that.” Mr Shabazz argued.
Ask if it wouldn’t be better for the Virgin Islands to just seek independence from its colonisers- Britain, Shabazz said he didn’t think the VI is ready to go down that road.
“It’s deeper than that, it’s our mentality, and it’s our behaviour on the world map. Look my friend, we even not interested in having a library in this country. We don’t have a library in Road Town,” Mr Shabazz lamented.
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46 Responses to “‘I want political annexation with US Virgin Islands’- Abdul Shabazz”
List all the pros and cons ..
Make sure that you are able to deal with the Feds. Any consideration for paying federal taxes on your worldwide income?
Mr. Shabazz has a right to his own misguided opinion.
However, his suggested opinion contradicts good vision, and would lead to greater bondage, in spite the financial ease of burden, and promise of greater freedom for us. There is no need to consider Mr. Shabazz misguided opinion/s on annexation. We have many unsolved issues on our table that demand our immediate attention, at this point and time. Mr. Ashabazz, respect to you, Sir., have a great day.
than what ? As we would say " you like it so." It is time we move on towards independence the difficulties are more important that to put the generations behind us through this British system of slavery. We would do just fine, we have to retain "the Virgin Islands " rightfully so , we should not gave that up. Running our own affairs is paramount importance, we should not be intimidated by others, we have done extremely well without the support of the UK. Take a bow Virgin Islands , now lets continue the process of running our affairs for ourselves. Oh, Virgin islands how much more can we take ? not much more lets be true to ourselves and live the true lagacy of "THE VIRGIN ISLANDS".
A portion of your dollars will go to killing people you’ve never heard of in a number of pointless conflicts while healthcare cost & housing are through the roof.
The UK doesn’t ask us for money and while they involve themselves in wars it’s not something we are forced to fund.
THIS!
This is absolutely the best argument I've heard against the independence nonsense talkers.
You've convinced yourself we are a child who one day will inevitably grow up and become an adult/independent country.
This narrative is tempting but it's wrong. The problem with independence talk is that we are simply TOO SMALL to function in the world as a country. We are a small group of families who love, hate and are related to each other and all our politics is about using the pretence of governance to enrich us and our kin.
Turn us loose on the world as a 'country' and we are like the smallest microbe in a herd of elephants.
Can it work?
Shabazz sums it up beautifully: "We don't even have a library".
I don't agree with anything else he's proposing here!
Burger king .wall mart .home depot .fema.irs .cia .fbi what how all these thing fit on 23sqm