‘We don’t want racism here’- Premier Fahie
Calling on persons in the Virgin Islands who may have racial tendencies to immediately start working on themselves to ensure that mindset changes, Premier Fahie said the issue of equality must be a key component in crafting a reformed constitution for the Territory.
Do not get involved in racism- Premier
“I would hope that everyone who lives here- that is alleged to be along that way [racist]- would dismiss that. I don’t want to see the BVI become like what I am seeing in America and in other areas of the world, marching because of racism.
“I would say to everyone to not to get involved in it [racism] because I don’t look at anyone in terms of a race. I look in terms of everyone being human being, what comes from your heart.”
Premier Fahie was at the time responding to the question whether he feels racism exists in the VI while a guest on “The Big Story” aired on JTV last Friday evening, June 5, 2020.
Equality
Referencing what is currently taking place in the USA where it is said everyone is equal, Premier Fahie said the USA’s system lacks equality, something that his government would want to see addressed when it moves to constitutional reform.
“When we look at America they say that everyone is equal but they did not make sure that there is equality within the equal and there is a difference.
“We want to show the whole world, not only financial services, not only in new industries in marines and other areas like tourism and other new areas that we will have, that we are someone to emulate we also want to show it in terms of relationships, in terms of respect for each other and we have to make sure that we do that in a mature way.”
Think beyond political party
Premier Fahie said that on the road to ensuring there is equality alongside being equal, the Territory would need to look beyond political parties and focus on the purpose.
“That Constitutional Review that we are coming up with, we have to be able to sit with the UK and say we respect you, we thank you, we are in this together but we are also maturing and there are some areas that the people want and the people have to push this Constitutional Review to make sure we stamp out racism, that we stamp out dictatorship.
Premier Fahie also emphasised that equality must be for everyone including the Governor.
Noting that he strongly believes there needs to be a Ministers’ and public service code, Premier Fahie said: “I firmly believe that in this 21st century there needs to be a governor’s code because you cannot have an entity operating without some consequences for actions. That is not democracy in the 21st century.”
Governors should come from OTs
This he said is not the Territory of the VI taking a stance against the UK but rather the VI looking at things in a mature manner, “And that is not being disrespectful.”
Premier Fahie also noted that the time has come for the UK to allow persons from the Overseas Territories to be governors, “And choose about two or three or five persons from the OT’s and put them in the UK and train them how to become governors and let them become governors in different OT’s but not the one they are from."
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102 Responses to “‘We don’t want racism here’- Premier Fahie”
The people make the place. Not looking favors or to undermine nobody, but simple fairness and kindness to each other, no matter where our birth cerfiticate or passport come from, we going answr to the won God. Humble we self.
Laffable is right!
Premier you know its already here. Its been here for years and years. Address it! I fail to believe you do not know this.
who more racist then M******* S***** at Nanny Cay Hotel
It is my opinion that if persons were treated as badly as they say it is here in the BVI, they would have left long time.
The BVI is the most racist place the world,because racism is not only about black and white and white vs black or black vs white,but its about nationality differences and tolians calling down island man and islandman calling down tolian and on and on---
In everything in the BVI is about somebody have to know you to pull a string for you and if somebody in government or in customs or in immigration don't know you personally,is blows on you.all that is racism in it own self.
The Governor is a white man but trying hard to live nice with every body,but we give the white governor more pressure for nothing, because he is white.we love white people when is tourist to bring money on cruiseship.
You know what? Blame the Governor for all the racism among black people in the BVI.
each and every person in this territory is 100% entitled to his or her free speech
now in the united states of america some persons become victims of crime simply due to race, class or creed
somehow in our own country some arriving by air or boat transportation have an issue when vi people express their valid opinions
for God Sake try stop spreading your propaganda about my little virgin islands
if you have such issues why stay
Moreover, for the British West Indies, racial discrimination and prejudice against Slaves started well before either the triangular (Europe, Africa, West Indies, Europe)or quadrilateral ( Europe, Africa, West Indies, US Europe) nightmarish ordeal trip to the supposed new world. Slavery started in approx 1662, it became highly profitable and colonialism and mercantilism were intrinsically linked. The UK ended the Slave trade in 1807 and abolished Slavery in 1834 and 1838( Slaves had to work 4 additional years to buy their freedom). Slavery abolished, the UK borrowed £15M in 1835 to compensate Slave owners for their supposedly lost of property. But nit a farthing for Slaves or their dependents to this day. Let’s not forget that Slave labour fueled and constructed both the UK and US economies and nurtured the follow on industrialized capitalism. Nevertheless, though Slavery ended and some countries pursued self determination, the dependency and racial discrimination continue.
Though many countries have attained independence, dependency is stiol the hallmark of Caribbean economies. Caribbean countries are heavily traded dependent and often encounter one-sided trade deals; they don’t so far produce a product in large enough quantity to be a key decision maker in setting prices. The trade dependency has permitted foreign enterprises to dominate Caribbean economies. Neocolonialism prevails in Caribbean countries and their economies. Thus, the racial discrimination and prejudice persist. The Premier may not want racial prejudice in the VI but it is here, has been here. It will take strong effort to root it out.
Racism is here but its not really racisim its inequality. Black and White people with businesses and money look down on everybody else of another race mix this with xenophobia and you have the melting pot of the BVI.
I UNDERSTAND PEOPLE WITH COMMONALITIES WOULD NATURALLY DRAWN TOGETHER .HOWEVER SOME OF THERE FOLKS LIVE HERE FOR DEGADES AND DONT HAVE ONE BLACK FRIEND . THEY WOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO AVOID YOU IN PUBLIC FROM PRETENDING TO BE ON THEIR PHONE OR JUST LOOK THE OTHER WAY WHEN U SAID GOOD MORNING OR AFTERNOOON TO THEM
The BVI particular brand of Racism is Xenophobia. This is Rampant and institutionalized, especially against the "Down Islanders".
As soon as most of the white folks buy a piece of Land or a home, they throw a fence or a wall and post. Private Property.
Couple years ago the lady from down west had to tell one of them a thing or two when they tried to stop her from swimming on the beach in Apple Bay where she born and grow.
Even in some of these companies they treat the local staff so bad.
There are very racist people here.
Our own people need to stop referring to people from other islands as Island People. I hate it.
And no I’m not married to someone from another island. I just think it’s so divisive.
want to be treated... with dignity and respect. You may one day be in a position where you are in someone else’s country and may end up being subjected to the same evils you dish out. One human race
On another note, is it a coincidence that there has never been a Black governor? Is it because he/she represent the crown and he/she has to look a certain way?
Of course, there is racism in the BVI? Do not Whites isolate themselves in their own enclaves? They avoid mingling with Blacks to maximum extent possible.
I still see the mental system put in place by the slave owners coming through.
Everyone pulling each other down on racism.
DIVIDE AND CONQUER - THE PROCESS STILL WORKS