‘We must never assist the colonialists’ to take away freedom- Cromwell Smith
Mr Smith, a commentator of social and political issues affecting the VI, made the comment on the backdrop of the Virgin Islands awaiting the report of a controversial Commission of Inquiry (CoI) sponsored by the United Kingdom (UK).
Controversial CoI
The CoI was called by ex-governor Augustus J. U. Jaspert, who it was revealed shared a strained relationship with the Government of Premier and Minister of Finance Hon Andrew A. Fahie (R1), who had accused Governor Jaspert of trying to bully the government and frustrate its policies for local empowerment and self-determination.
Many view the CoI has an opportunity for the UK to impose direct rule on the VI and undo its constitutional progress, while seeking to carry out its agenda under Global Britain.
“We must come together as one United people and resist the colonialists regressive impositions and then deal with the behaviour of our government. We must NEVER assist the colonialists, whether with words or deeds with their actions to take away our freedom that our fore-parents fought so hard to achieve,” Mr Smith wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday, January 15, 2022.
Education reform needed
Mr Smith’s comments drew support from several persons including a Janice Stoutt, who said “True, Brother, but many do not understand this. So many are still with whitewashed brains, they are still asking their God to bless the Colonists, and not themselves,” Stoutt said while adding that education reform is very important.
A Vernon Blyden added: “If we don't educate them they will run with whatever education they have, We educate them to be our biggest impediment to our self-determination.”
Mr Smith said he agreed with Mr Blyden “except to suggest that we don’t educate ourselves we are a part of a system that trains us to be “cogs in the wheel” of the perpetuation of global white supremacy.”
The question was then asked by My Blyden whether the VI is in control of its education system. “If we are why are we afraid to make it suitable for who we are? It seems a lot of times even if we have the right or the power we are afraid to offend our colonial masters. For example, we say we have a Constitution when in fact we have a dictate issued by the UK as to how we should behave. We have Constitutional reviews that deal with supervised permissible oversight and not devolved power exchange for self-determination.”
According to Mr Smith, he agrees that sometimes we are afraid to offend the colonisers.
“I think we have more courage when we act collectively. Also sometimes the system is so ingrained in us that we think it’s the only one and we don’t know how or what to change. I think as a group the lack of confidence in ourselves and in each other prevents us from seeking greater autonomy. I believe that that lack of confidence stems from our training in our current education system.
‘We all have flaws’- Smith
Meanwhile, the issue of trust in the local people to manage the affairs of the VI was raised, with the suggestion of corruption being an area of concern.
According to Mr Smith, he is not saying that our own people don’t have flaws, “we all have flaws. We have all been trained by the same system. My position is that I am not assisting any foreign entity to chastise or punish my brothers and sisters, especially an immoral one.
“Marcus, Malcolm, Elijah, Martin, Waymut and a host of other freedom fighters have advised against it. And would not like it,” Mr Smith stated.
Ironically, the UK government, which has sponsored a CoI in the Virgin Islands in the height of the global coronavirus pandemic, continues to be called out for corruption and being a law unto itself.
There continue to be calls for embattled UK Prime Minister Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson to resign.
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24 Responses to “‘We must never assist the colonialists’ to take away freedom- Cromwell Smith”
Listen, there will be no independence until the majority of the people ask for it.
Wish all you want, the cookie Jar restriction will remain and wisely so.
Then the BVI should do her a favor and send her back down the islands where’s she’s from “Period”
Don’t you people have anything to do but talk sh** about take away freedom this and that. All of you need a damn muzzle on your mouths.
Moreover, nevertheless, the purpose, attitude and behavior of colonialists cannot be whitewashed and swept under the rug. Colonialism/slavery created a caste system for the benefit of the elites of the dominant caste—Masters. Everyone in the dominant caste were lords. Slaves had to yield to the will of everyone in the dominant caste /lords. The institution of slavery was currency, machines, etc, that existed solely for the profit of owners. “The slave is doomed to toil, that others may reap the fruits,” a letter writer identified as Judge Ruffin (Caste—Isabel Wilkerson). As long as Blacks stay in their places, all is well. Advancement of Blacks equal to or surpassing the dominant caste is problematic, for it runs counter to the false, misguided belief. Slavery was abolished on paper but the legacy of slavery persists. The crab in a bucket mentality still exists among Blacks, retarding their progression. Blacks must work in unity and cohesively to shed the chains.
Moreover, the institution of slavery was extractive, not inclusive, creating economic and political institutions to benefit a small circle of elites. The elites are afraid of creating inclusive institutions, for the masses may benefit and they may loose power and control. Instead, they create, operate and maintain extractive institutions; extractive institution are a vicious circle. Colonialism was an extractive institution both economic and political. It is a fact European colonialism impoverished huge parts of the world, ie, India, Africa, Caribbean, South America....etc. Well, I can go on and on but Inwill take a respite for now. Yes, I went to Major Bay Primary.