‘We must not fall victim' to old divide & rule trick- Deputy Premier
‘We must not fall victim’
According to Dr Wheatley, with God’s help, along with adherence to wise counsel and being resolute in a principled purpose, the Virgin Islands will triumph over this pandemic and other pitfalls along the way.
“But unity is the key, and we must not fall victim to the old tried and tested trick of divide and rule,” Dr Wheatley warned while making remarks at the Emancipation 2021 Service being held virtually.
According to the Deputy Premier, in addition to disease and natural disasters, the Virgin Islands people face threats to their ability to determine their destiny.
Hypocrisy of CoI
Dr Wheatley pointed to the Commission of Inquiry as one of such threats and called out the hypocrisy of the United Kingdom (UK) Government led by Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson.
“The United Kingdom launched a Commission of Inquiry at a time when all our efforts should have been focused on saving lives and delivering progress for the people. The reality that the Prime Minister Johnson rejected calls for a Commission of Inquiry in the United Kingdom while allowing one to be imposed here speaks to the unequal partnership that exists with our administering power.”
According to Dr Wheatley, any society placed under a microscope will have its flaws and weaknesses exposed, especially a society that has suffered great neglect and exploitation by its coloniser over hundreds of years.
He said the United Kingdom, like other societies, is not immune to the alleged deficiencies being scrutinised here.
‘Corruption taking hold in Britain’
As an example, Dr Wheatley referred to The Guardian newspaper, which he said was a reputable publication from the United Kingdom that published an article titled, ‘Under Boris Johnson, corruption is taking hold in Britain’. The subtitle of the article read, ‘Cronyism is rife, our system of checks and balances is being dismantled, and ordinary people will soon start to suffer’.
“That is just one article, but similar scathing claims can be made of the United States of America, Russia, China, and all throughout the world,” Dr Wheatley noted, in pointing out that every country has its challenges and the Virgin Islands should not be seen as differently and used as a scapegoat for an agenda.
I reject the ‘Let Britain take over for a while mentality’!
“Among some persons, disillusioned because of what they may perceive to be this society’s weaknesses, an ill-advised sentiment has crept into conversations: ‘Let Britain take over for a while.’
“My people, I reject this mentality with every fiber of my being. Let us continue the work of developing our institutions, and educating our people. Let us use the tools of democracy, including public forums, responsible journalism, protest, debate, and even elections, but let us not surrender to the archaic and colonial tools that the world should have forgotten about long ago, such as take overs, imposed legislation, and imposed administrators.”
Dr Wheatley called on Virgin Islanders to never forget where they were prior to 1950, with no proper healthcare, education, or infrastructure.
He pointed out that it is through the advancement of local democracy and local autonomy that they society has seen so much gains.
‘We are incredibly blessed’
Dr Wheatley also appealed to the Virgin Islanders to adopt a spirit of gratitude and recognise and appreciate the struggles of their ancestors.
“And while we are extremely critical, let us not take for granted that we are incredibly blessed and enjoy a standard of living that many people around the world would hope and dream of. As bad as some think we are, we still attract people from all over the world who choose to call BVI home. We can’t be that bad.
“Our education system produces individuals who have topped schools abroad and even topped various industries abroad. No, we are not what some paint us to be. In fact, we have done well and we have a lot to thank God for. Let us never be ungrateful for his favour upon us. Let us also be appreciative of our ancestors who have toiled hard to lay the foundation for our success, and let us never shy away from our responsibility to keep building these beautiful islands for the benefit of coming generations,” Dr Wheatley implored.
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25 Responses to “‘We must not fall victim' to old divide & rule trick- Deputy Premier”
It is time to strive for independence and send home the four British back to England. Slavery has thought us many lessons and on this Emancipation Day, we should start to think of being independent from the British Monarchy. The sooner is better for us. Even if we would have to use shovel and picks, we will stand on our own feet. They have robbed the world from India to Africa, the Caribbean and the Falkland Island to enrich the British Empire. The remnant that is left here they are coming to take from us. Down with the British Imperialist
If only our ancestors could see the day we’ve gone full circle.
Were it not for the greed of profit in working the slaves it would have been genocide as it was for the Amerindians. Where are the real locals at huh.
There were rebellions in these islands and historically holding on to slavery as the population of slaves increases never ends well for the masters.
The narrative is always changed.
Fact is the people were not simply sold into slavery they were forcibly taken by Europeans with guns. After they finished shooting up the villages they got what they wanted from everyone who wanted to live. Ethiopia was THE African nation that resisted colonization by the Italians.
It’s no surprise today that Africa is in a vulnerable state especially when the colonizers are working against us who are supposed to be an ally.
Pirates of the Caribbean. Looting African & Amerindian jewels & gold, using slave labor till the people died. Their wealth is founded on stolen gold & human rights abuse.
Their bread is buttered but their reputations are irreparably tarnished.
They try hard to appear saintly, as the most corrupt would when there is no shame or sense of responsibility.
I’m waiting for them to shape up & will be vigilant until they do from the top.
its apparent you don’t know history and can’t put the pieces together when it’s right in front of you. common sense.
The atrocities happened the world over from Africa to Australia and it would not have been successful without firepower.
In today’s world we have the monarchy exposed wondering if the new baby will be dark skinned which along with their stance on relics of slavery speaks volumes.
Misdeeds are not pleasant, whether done by they or by us. I do share with you and others the pain and severe hardship, suffering, and death that surpression has caused us by the hands of others, that had justified themselves in what they have done. However, the past is gone forever. The way forward is before us. Only the good choices that we make, and act on going forward wiil ensure our success. Forgiveness free us from chain of hate against those that have evil to us.
Independence is out inalienable rights. We need to get ourselves prepare for that time. Preparation start with us. Love is the only force that can connect us each and to others, but it starts with us. We expect others to love us, and threat us well. But do we love others and threat them as we should? If we don't, we should not demand of others love and good threatment from others.
We live in a world we evil practices out number good practices. If we love others and practice righteouse, God will fight against enemies for our good, and loosen the grip of our oppessors. God, the Creator is mightier
than all. True freedom without His lead is like a dream that will never come to pass.
True, we have made great progress since then, but trues freedom does not mean to do as we please, aa we are continually doing. True freedom release us from the power of darkness, lead by Satan, the god of
darkness.
GOD OUR CREATOR IS THE TRUE ETERNAL LIGHT. THERE IS NO DARKNESS IN HIM.
The shackle around the minds of a people, is their strongest slave master. Bound yes, but by choice.
Hon Wheatley, you are bright enough to know that you ain't getting out of this with distractions.