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‘Social movement is necessary for a community’s progress’ - Shaina M. Smith

-believes that the people of the VI should support the march in order to effect change
Shaina M. Smith, political aspirant and social commentator, believes that social movement the effect change in a community is important for progress, while noting that it has helped the political development of the Virgin Islands (VI). Photo: Facebook
Margaret E. Hodge (speaking) Introduced the amendment of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill that will make the United Kingdom Government force overseas territories to put in place public registers of beneficial ownership. Photo: BBC
Margaret E. Hodge (speaking) Introduced the amendment of the Sanctions and Anti-Money Laundering Bill that will make the United Kingdom Government force overseas territories to put in place public registers of beneficial ownership. Photo: BBC
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Shaina M. Smith, political aspirant and social commentator, believes that social movement the effect change in a community is important for progress, while noting that it has helped the political development of the Virgin Islands (VI).

She was being interviewed on the popular radio programme Honestly Speaking aired on ZBVI 780 AM on May 15, 2018, with host Claude O. Skelton-Cline, former managing director of BVI Ports Authority (BVIPA) and social commentator.

She said, “As far as social movement that brings about change or effect change in the community are very necessary for its progress and our political development is a classic example of that.”

She further added that while she was doing a research during a VI History class, she learned how the people of the VI progressed as a people socioeconomically through the political arena.

"Research made me appreciate the VI heritage"

Meanwhile, Ms Smith indicated that through research on the Virgin Islands is what lead her to “appreciate the heritage” that she came from, while emphasising that the VI community cannot “sit back” and let anybody do what they want to the people of the territory.

“Doing a research on the history of the VI made me appreciate the heritage that we come out of and that we can’t sit back and just let people do what they want any old how and not say something about it,” Ms Smith said.

 She continued, “On the other side of the march is when you are going to know who we are as a people. We are a people of agitation from slavery days because slavery was abolished because of agitation by both slave as well as the abolitionist who supported or was against it.”

Political aspirant believes that the people of the territory must “take seriously” what the elected government does in regards to financial stewardship and not to allow anyone to make decisions for the territory.

She expressed, “We have to take seriously what our elected government does when it comes to financial stewardship and what’s important. We always have to be ready for a rainy day and know that you have to act and plan because somebody can’t do it for you, it has to be you making decisions for yourself and from that position locally in terms of what we are doing on the ground in terms of our governance.”

9 Responses to “‘Social movement is necessary for a community’s progress’ - Shaina M. Smith”

  • Yes. (17/05/2018, 22:45) Like (8) Dislike (0) Reply
    Politics Matters.
  • west man (17/05/2018, 22:47) Like (16) Dislike (4) Reply
    We still not voting for she with ndp
  • Good Points! (17/05/2018, 22:55) Like (19) Dislike (2) Reply
    We need to stop sitting back and expect others to look out for our best interests. Self-preservation is the natural instinct of every human being. The current situation in the UK concerning us is just another reminder of that. We better get serious as a people if we intend to preserve what’s left of our standard of living going forward.
  • cnn (17/05/2018, 23:52) Like (4) Dislike (4) Reply
    Claude when you going interview donald trump?
  • Political Observer (PO) (18/05/2018, 03:57) Like (8) Dislike (2) Reply
    Frederick Douglass: If there is no struggle, there is no progress. True, VI progress entails agitation. The protests by slaves hasten the departure of plantation owners, leaving the territory as a bird sanctuary. The Great March of 1949 brought about reinstating of the Legislature in 1950, which was suspended in 1902. Noel Lloyd and PAM personal sacrifice and struggle reversed the horrible apartheid style agreement on Wickhams Cay and 1/2 Anegada. Nonetheless, agitation must be strategic and tactical. Will the planned march forced UK MPs to seriously reconsider their vote? What cost will BVI residents exact on MPs? Will developed nations feel the BVI pain and come to its aid with support? Will this march be a one trick pony or will the protests continue until the BVI desire is met? Are BVI residents ready for a protracted struggle to achieve progress?

    Moreover, are BVI residents ready to agitate for 1) financial stewardship, 2)transparency, accountability and responsibility, 3) resources waste, 4)consumer protection agency, 5) register of elected officials and senior civil servants ownership, 6)investment in human capital 7) spending money for its intended purpose, 8)quality infrastructure investment, 9)environmental resources preservation and protection, 10) getting value for money, 11) education reform, 12)healthcare reform, 13) civil service reform, 14)economic diversification............etc.
  • dude (18/05/2018, 09:38) Like (4) Dislike (2) Reply
    I see where she's coming from but slavery was abolished b/c it wasn't economically feasible or necessary moving fwd not b/c the sufferers begged for change. We have to be self reliant and have multiple streams of revenue. This march will be the first march based on economics & finance instead of civil & human rights that I know about. That is a bad look & shows that we are not conscious of our role in the struggle. It is & has always been a struggle against injustice & inequality. A main weapon of theirs has always been miseducation. They cont to miseducate the public about our services & u expect them to report our pov on the march? They miseducated us to the pt we don't know who are friends are & what group we belong to. 3rd world Undeveloped countries have to unite to compete against an empire who's history & ancestors main objective was & is world domination & superior advantage over everyone else. They've been deporting Caribbean ppl who's parents helped them fight the war. They are sweet talking exploiters some of us fell in love with but now we see the reality of the relationship
  • Jan (18/05/2018, 14:46) Like (4) Dislike (1) Reply
    The only thing I marching for now is fresh air on the Western End of the island! And yes I work in financial services industry so I’m fully aware of the negative affects of having public registers, however I don’t think week should be so quick to operate out of fear of loosing our worldly possessions!

    God is able to turn this situation around or give us something even better, so let us sincerely seek his guidance on this matter.

    Too much fake Christians (including Shepards) on this little island and that’s half of the problem!
  • just asking... (18/05/2018, 17:28) Like (6) Dislike (0) Reply
    Who marching for tax payers?


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