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‘I wish & wait’ for a Caucasian to run for office in VI- Hon Vanterpool

- calls on all Virgin Islanders to aspire to rule selves regardless of race
Fourth District Representative in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Mark H. Vanterpool (R4) has called on all Virgin Islanders to aspire to run for office, regardless of race with the aim of seeking representation in the House. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Vanterpool further noted that even with the presence of the VI Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the territory and its allegations, that does not mean that Virgin Islanders cannot manage and invest in their selves. Photo: VINO/File
Hon Vanterpool further noted that even with the presence of the VI Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the territory and its allegations, that does not mean that Virgin Islanders cannot manage and invest in their selves. Photo: VINO/File
DUFF’S BOTTOM, Tortola, VI– Fourth District Representative in the Virgin Islands House of Assembly (HoA), Hon Mark H. Vanterpool has called on all Virgin Islanders to aspire to run for political office, regardless of race.

Hon Vanterpool made the comments while debating on the Virgin Islands Investment Act 2020 on August 19, 2021, and touched lightly on the topic of race in the territory.

“We in the BVI and when I saw we, Mr Speaker, I want us to understand we must not be racial one way or the other,” he said.

VI Diversity highlighted

“We have some people living among us who are our people, they live with us, they are from England they are from all over the place, they might be a Caucasian, but they are a part of us, they have belonger status,” Hon Vanterpool went on to say.

While Hon Vanterpool has related that he will condemn any form of colonialist UK takeover of the VI, he called on white Virgin Islanders to run for power in the territory, in a bid to represent themselves and the VI.

“I wish and wait one day when a Caucasian would run for office and come in here [HoA], nothing is wrong with that, it's called representation,” he said.

Hon Vanterpool said while those in the House would be shocked at the statement, he said VI’s Caucasian citizens and belongers have a constituency.

The Opposition Member, who refers to himself as a 'statesman', further noted that even with the presence of the VI Commission of Inquiry (CoI) in the territory and its allegations, that does not mean that Virgin Islanders cannot manage and invest in themselves.

46 Responses to “‘I wish & wait’ for a Caucasian to run for office in VI- Hon Vanterpool”

  • home boy (23/08/2021, 09:35) Like (60) Dislike (36) Reply
    What is wrong with this fool,they already running things.
    • akon (23/08/2021, 16:13) Like (4) Dislike (13) Reply
      We are under their evil system already, Mark want to make it worse. Mark my words Mark, don't run again.
    • home girl (25/08/2021, 08:48) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      What is wrong is that y'all ain't notice that lots of born citizens are now grown adult Caucasians living amongst you, and they can run for election if they wish.
    • Comment (25/08/2021, 10:09) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
      He must be referring to his country of birth.
  • home boy (23/08/2021, 09:37) Like (34) Dislike (35) Reply
    Go sit down with your Uncle Tom mentally.
  • Positive Action Instutite (23/08/2021, 09:46) Like (9) Dislike (21) Reply
    There are many groups in the VI who are enjoying representation in our House of assembly presently and there are VI indigenous people who are unrepresented. Put our people first in every job opportunity could be a start.
    • But (24/08/2021, 06:54) Like (4) Dislike (3) Reply
      There are no indigenous ppl in the HOA. They would be Arawaks.
      • @But (25/08/2021, 10:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        We became indigenous when you Europeans killed off all the ‘Tainos’ not Arawaks that lived in these lands for the copper on Virgin Gorda. Know the facts about the history of my country before posting errors.
  • hmmm (23/08/2021, 09:54) Like (28) Dislike (16) Reply
    judging by the comments to follow...we black folks think we cant be racial ourselves
    • @hmmm (23/08/2021, 10:55) Like (10) Dislike (5) Reply
      How you so sure it's black folk behind some of these comments? Ever heard of a troll?
  • Idiot (23/08/2021, 10:28) Like (26) Dislike (20) Reply
    Wonder if he could make such comments in his native Anguilla. Wants to come here and talk pure shit’n
  • Rosydarlin (23/08/2021, 10:56) Like (25) Dislike (6) Reply
    Not only are there non Brown and Black peoples that are belongers, They and their children are exemplary members of the VI Comminity. They are not as visible as others because they are non occupants of the Prison and neither do they successfully and routinely seek and wear the shackles on their wrists /ankles to be detained and restrained or be hunted by the po po.Their children are rarely attendees of the Community College after completion of High School in prep for the possibility of acceptance into a University. They are not customers of the breadlines and FSN . Their children, are not hanging under the trees surrounded by they and their community trash with palms outstretched and terrorizing the island at large with their noisy and reckless bike sojourns,symbols of their wannabe but no manhood. Their children will be more cognitive of the reality of the real world and more educated with the impressive diplomas. Yessirree. The demographic of the VI will subsequently reflect ,thank you Jesus! ....but the possibility is that they along with the best of belongers would simply fly away to greener pastures and leave the sunken and desecrated VI to be another lost paradise in the Caribbean chain,.
  • Big Slick Willie (23/08/2021, 11:00) Like (21) Dislike (7) Reply
    I’m thinking from comments that racism is rampant and blacks are teaching it much more than whites these days. Chill y’all and be nice (and equal) to everyone. I realize you may see it as your turn now but just chill.
    • zutztrgdfgfd (23/08/2021, 12:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sad but true
    • @Big Slick Willie (25/08/2021, 10:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      We would not know what the whites are teaching each other because they practice a Culture of Racist Apartheid in our lands... but when you get the info. let us know.
  • The TRUTH (23/08/2021, 11:10) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    SMH
  • Good Advisor advise constructively offered free of cost to: (23/08/2021, 11:11) Like (10) Dislike (1) Reply
    Hon. Mark Vanterpool, I honestly don't believe that you want Caucasians to run for top political positions, except to see them get crushed by the black skin ethnic majority, in their effort to gain political leadership status. But seeing it from another point of view, could it be that you wished up, relaxing as a businessman you bigly need Caucasians support? If your motive is not clean, then I urge you to accept the following.
    My advice to you is if the can of worms, in my opinion, that you have just opened up still have some worms not yet exited, quickly closed it, and don't attempt to reopen it in the future. Why? Because flattery is not truth, and mockery is not love.
    God loves us all with and from the centre-most part of His heart. We also are commanded by Him to love our neighbors, skin colour and place of birth not a factor.
  • He is right. (23/08/2021, 11:26) Like (29) Dislike (7) Reply
    Shoudn't matter your colour. If you are a Belonger you are the same as any other. He is right than too many are racist towards any that aren't the same.
    • @He is right (24/08/2021, 06:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It’s not just Belongers that are the same. We are ALL the same!
  • Jury (23/08/2021, 11:37) Like (11) Dislike (0) Reply
    So what is so wrong with the Hon. Minister's statement? Don't you know that there are "white people" whose parents and grandparents were born in the Virgin Islands therefore making them "indigenous" thus giving them the rights according to our constitution to run for political office? Unless one is barred from doing so because of their ethnicity. I capped the word indigenous loosely because long before the European and African slaves were brought to these Islands the Amerindians inhabited here. They were driven off or killed by the wicked colonists and the lands were later given to us. African slaves are not indigenous to these Islands.
  • one eye (23/08/2021, 11:43) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
    Mark is right whity will take over after the coi
  • Just saying (23/08/2021, 11:50) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    Sir, Be careful what you wish for. Your wish may be coming quicker than you imagined
  • my2cents (23/08/2021, 11:50) Like (10) Dislike (0) Reply
    Local is local. If they live here & grow here, belong here or born here. They have the right. Ain't no problem with that. Nobody had any say in what colour they were born with. There are some who I grew up with, not just any one particular group, all who care about the BVI I think they can do some good. It's not about skin colour it's about the BVI. We all live here and can contribute to making it a better BVI for all. Forgot the things that make us slightly different & focus on the things that make us the same.
    • josiah'sbay (23/08/2021, 19:24) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
      Where you are born or what status you have doesn't matter. What matters is do you think and commit to the VI.
  • Bree (23/08/2021, 12:14) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Just a bit of history. Dr. Adamson ran for office back in the 1980's. The Election office can confirm this. He is White.
  • if (23/08/2021, 12:36) Like (12) Dislike (2) Reply
    A Caucasian person is born in the BVI, why not. I don’t have a problem with it at all.
  • Okro (23/08/2021, 13:24) Like (16) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mark when the uk think about giving us a black governor then i will agree for the white man given a chance to run for office in bvi.
    • josiah'sbay (23/08/2021, 16:45) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      @Okro: A black governor will not make a difference here in the VI. If you are an agent for the Queen that's whos interest you would represent and work for. I am always dismayed when some of our best and brightest work on behalf of the Queen. For me it's a total waste of talent.
  • I am with Mark on this (23/08/2021, 13:50) Like (8) Dislike (3) Reply
    I am tired of this color thing. I am the type that don’t see color, I see another human. After all don’t we all bleed the same color blood? Having a BVI born Caucasian be it male or female in Government will be a good thing.
    • @ I am with Mark (23/08/2021, 16:34) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Let the UK lead on this racist issue. Send a black governor or a woman governor. We tired of the Caucasian only mentality.
      • frog (24/08/2021, 07:04) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
        That would be racist. Don’t you get that? Either way it is racist so don’t try to fix a wrong with a wrong.
    • race (23/08/2021, 16:53) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
      I don’t care what colour you are or where you are from. Please be God, be capable, be honest and be worthy of being an elected official - easier said than done, not just in BVI but all over the world. But that’s what we need - persons please stand up.
  • Hmm (23/08/2021, 16:30) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    At over CRJ! Oh she’s about to come after you once she gets time off the many other issues she’s facing
  • Good Advisor (23/08/2021, 17:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I personally is for Caucasians white people rights of preveledge in the political arena. What I am not for is accepting their right to run as politicians, but behaving racist against them, by not supporting them because of ethnicity, and othee envious reasons.
    Yes, Hon. Mark Vanterpool said the right things, but do we really know, for sure, his true motive as to why he said what he said? Or do you have a problem with accepting credible opinion that contradicts your own?
    Black racism is equally as evil as white, brown or any other racism.
    God alone is love in its fullness. All of us from time to time practice zig zag love. That means, a mixture of good and evil.
    Note. There is no bent in a straight rod. There are no straight in a bent coiled (
  • x (23/08/2021, 17:25) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why not White, Spanish, Arab or Philipino? This is a diverse place. It got good people in every color.
  • When Equal (23/08/2021, 17:58) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    When all is equal all will be equal. Be careful what you ask for you mighty get it. Is this allowed in Anguilla?
  • Tola People (23/08/2021, 18:33) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply

    What is wrong with some of you people, these people has been controlling us from the time they brought our ancestors from Africa, by force and this %%&*0 Mark ,want to give them more power over us, and some of you siding him,wow , mental Slavery is alive an well.

  • Ne Timeas (23/08/2021, 18:55) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Hon Mark ‘Action Man’ Vanterpool, R-4, and a long-serving member of Legislative Council/HOA so he should be well-versed in the constitution. As such, any member that meets the qualifications consistent with the constitution can stand for election. Incidentally, John Charles Brudenell Bruce was elected was elected in 1950; he is one of the first four elected members under the new constitution that re-established the Legislative Council that was sidelined inn1901. The other three elected members were Isaac Glanville Fonseca, Howard R. Penn and Carlton LE deCastro. The Hon Vanterpool needs to stop self-discriminating, day dreaming if only a Caucasian could/would run VI would be so much better.,N..egro please!
  • WHITE COMMUNITY (23/08/2021, 20:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh Mark is such a good man lets all go and shop at One Mart. And if the COI dares to lift a finger against him the white community will hold massive protest.
  • :) (23/08/2021, 20:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    There are more black people in the UK than there are white people that actually live in the BVI but the UK cant find one worthy of being Governor. Tell them waste their money and run for election. Deposit dead on arrival
  • Jane (23/08/2021, 22:23) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Please can we have a non white male as our next governor?
    Bermuda's new governor is a woman of colour - hallelujah!
    Cayman Islands just elected a white guy as premier - hallelujah!
    Diversity please! Equal opportunities please! One love BVI!
  • incredible (24/08/2021, 09:51) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Mark, legally these persons can run for office, so what is your point? Maybe you want to use them as a distraction or a scapegoat for what you do? I don't think they would let you use them for that.

    Persons like you need to govern properly so we would not need to consider minorities to help us with positive change. Or help you with your agenda, as I suspect.
  • Forbidden Truth (25/08/2021, 00:04) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The oppressor will never be honest with you or teach you.
  • Well Sah (25/08/2021, 18:09) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    No problem. Just wondering if all the people, black, white and in between who pay all the money for private schools and private clubs would be willing to band together and invest the same amount in the public school system and become involved in educational reform to form a real public-private partnership. What a difference that would make. I have nothing against anybody because of their ethnicity or colour or anything else for that matter. But the fact is that expats of a certain class have built a segregated system for their own benefit. And yes I see colour, I’m not blind or a liar, it’s just that I don’t care what colour you are I care about your motives and the content of your character.
  • What? (26/08/2021, 16:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I thought that they mended that fence after you got through.


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