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Written by
Medita Wheatley

January 11, 2023

COMMENTARY — Gov’t thanked for avoiding direct rule

“There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune.” In an ironic sort of way, this line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar …

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by Medita Wheatley
May 4, 2022

COMMENTARY — ‘Born free,’ writer opposes direct rule

In my spirit I am hearing voices. One says, “Born free; as free as the wind blows… .” Another says, “And before I’d be a slave, I’ll be buried in …

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by Medita Wheatley
October 27, 2021

COMMENTARY — In response to letter, a history lesson

Growing up in the Virgin Islands, I had the opportunity to hear and learn the meaning of certain sayings which we now refer to as local proverbs. Recently, I was …

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by Medita Wheatley
September 15, 2021

COMMENTARY — COI commentary draws sharp retort

This week I read a commentary about the Commission of Inquiry in the Beacon’s Aug. 26 edition, which was captioned “COI seen to bring checks, balances.” As someone who dabbled …

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by Medita Wheatley
July 29, 2021

COMMENTARY — Writer reflects on VI-UK ties

A few months ago, I wrote a commentary in which I suggested that three generations of Virgin Islanders would have seen our relationship with the United Kingdom from different perspectives. …

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by Medita Wheatley
June 30, 2021

LETTER — An open letter to the COI

It was not my intention to make a submission to the Commission of Inquiry, nor do I have any interest in appearing before it, but after hearing the evening news …

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by Medita Wheatley
March 10, 2021

COMMENTARY — Inquiry further analysed

So, the commission of inquiry is searching for information to verify, or not, the claim that there is corruption in the Virgin Islands. Who would be interested in providing this …

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by Medita Wheatley
February 24, 2021

COMMENTARY — VI’s ties with UK examined

Some individuals may not want to acknowledge that there are ties which bind the United Kingdom and the Virgin Islands, and I think I can understand why that would be …

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by Medita Wheatley
February 10, 2021

COMMENTARY — Gov’t defended as COI starts

I couldn’t believe it when I turned on the radio to listen to the BBC News last week and heard that there was to be a commission of inquiry in …

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by Medita Wheatley
September 30, 2020

COMMENTARY — Questions asked about UK-VI ties

Winston Churchill is credited with the following quote. “A lady came up to me one day and said, ‘Sir! You are drunk,’ to which I replied, ‘I am drunk today, …

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by Medita Wheatley
October 9, 2018

COMMENTARY — Citizenship series concludes

Some time before Hurricane Irma, I was standing on the roadside waiting for a bus. An impressive looking vehicle pulled up and the driver offered me a ride. I was …

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by Medita Wheatley
October 2, 2018

COMMENTARY — Citizenship series continues

In an article written several weeks ago, I put forward the view that the Virgin Islands is in a mess on every level. I still believe that this unfortunate situation …

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by Medita Wheatley
September 11, 2018

Commentary — Irma like ‘the voice of God’

Prior to Hurricane Irma, I had been experiencing a sense of helplessness and hopelessness about what the Virgin Islands had become. That feeling was reinforced when I listened to a …

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by Medita Wheatley
September 4, 2018

COMMENTARY — Past nationality laws deemed unfair

I indicated earlier that the provisions of the 1948 Nationality Act did not favour ancestral Virgin Islanders and that fact was not generally known here. It may be that the …

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by Medita Wheatley
August 21, 2018

COMMENTARY — Former citizenship rules get more scrutiny

I have written more than one commentary on this subject. I think that if you stay with me we can come to a place where there is understanding of what …

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by Medita Wheatley
August 7, 2018

COMMENTARY — Former citizenship rules draw more fire

In an earlier commentary, I referred to certain categories of ancestral Virgin Islanders who were placed at a disadvantage by the 1948 British Nationality Act. Among these were illegitimate children; …

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by Medita Wheatley
July 31, 2018

COMMENTARY — Former nationality rules draw scrutiny

When I speak of ancestral Virgin Islanders, I am referring to those persons whose ancestry goes back to the middle and late 1800s. I expect that such persons would have …

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by Medita Wheatley
July 17, 2018

COMMENTARY — HLSCC graduation speech praised

In my time I have had the opportunity to attend a number of graduation ceremonies and listen to some interesting commencement addresses. Only two of those addresses had the kind …

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by Medita Wheatley
July 9, 2018

COMMENTARY — Territory seen to be ‘in a mess’

Well, sir! Whoever said that the more things change the more they remain the same was right on the money. But that doesn’t mean I can’t hope. For a brief …

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by Medita Wheatley
July 4, 2018

COMMENTARY — Kudos offered for premier

I have never admired or respected Premier Dr. Orlando Smith more than I do as I write this letter on June 19. Of all the options he could have chosen …

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by Medita Wheatley
May 16, 2018

COMMENTARY — Storms called ‘a gift’ to the UK

The devastating hurricanes of 2017 were a gift to the United Kingdom. Think about it for a moment! Imagine yourself as the parent of a recalcitrant young adult, living in …

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by Medita Wheatley

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