Any observer of a certain segment of the Virgin Islands media will easily recognise growing xenophobia and even jingoism in this small territory. Jingoism in the context of this story is alluding to the conflict between insider and outsider, or between residents who were born here and residents who were not. This song and dance has been common in recent months. That this growing intolerance is happening in this small community of many different races, peoples and cultures cannot be denied.
Though this is a new and extreme form of nationalism, do bear in mind that VI nationalism is a good thing indeed for the national self-esteem. Healthy nationalism creates strong, inclusive and harmonious societies. But a new strand of VI nationalism is today emerging from certain quarters, and it appears to be exclusive, opportunistic, extreme and even nasty.
In a territory that depends on tourism and global finance for its bread and butter, these noises from people in the media — who have real influence and who should know better — are very unhelpful and potentially damaging. In any event, this small territory should have moved on from the small-island pettiness of yesteryear. Those who want to hold on to a backward mentality have every right to do so. But they will look increasingly absurd, even anachronistic, in this fast-paced day and age.
Negative labels
There is a tendency by a vocal minority to generalise, or to label whole groups of residents and citizens negatively. This new rendition to social and ethnic division probably springs from a questionable political agenda in some quarters. Recently, a marketing executive was rightly ostracised for apparently making a racial slur against whites. So this type of ignorant rhetoric is nothing new. It is, however, unacceptable.
Bear in mind that broad generalisations about sections of a population — in one recent case, a television show host suggested that a certain segment of the VI community has a bad attitude — is root, trunk and branch of tribalism, ethnic hatred, racism and worse.
Similar intolerance has led to some of the worst crimes and atrocities in human history, including apartheid, mass murder and genocide. These allusions are not farfetched. Hitler’s odyssey of hatred, murder and genocide began with generalisations about non-Germans being inferior, deceptive and treacherous.
In a community that came out of slavery and colonialism, such as this one, to hear a respected and highly regarded black commentator and television show host speak in the worst tones about his neighbours and fellow human beings is simply a throwback to the darkest days of intolerance.
This commentator knows very well that he never could have made that type of comment in, say, the United States or the United Kingdom about any racial, ethnic or social group without national outrage. Residents of these islands, he knows, are generally quiet and noncontroversial, so he will get away with those types of remark here.
Modern ‘Frankensteins’
This is a sad reflection on this community, however. It is an old story that has led to the creation of modern-day Frankensteins: objectionable personalities, controversial orators, and tyrannical types like Idi Amin, Hitler and “Papa Doc” Duvalier. These were leaders who started off by painting Jews, Mulattoes and Asians with the same brush, using similar broad generalisations. This habit then developed into something much more ominous.
The claim that Caribbean people from “down the islands” have a bad attitude is clearly a derogatory remark meant to stir up emotions. These are fellow residents and citizens who live, contribute and pay taxes in this community; most of them are fine and outstanding men and women. Many are skilled professionals, university and college graduates who have laid deep roots in this community. In any event, a simple observation of prominent VI families will reveal that most came from, or had important links with, those so-called “down-islanders.”
Travel to any West Indian nation — St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Trinidad and so on — and one will find that West Indians are culturally similar, with the same history, society and ethnic makeup: a motley mix of peoples of African, European, Asian and native Indian descent.
Prominent VI names, such as Turnbull, O’Neal, Christopher, Penn and Lettsome are to be found on many Caribbean Islands. The Stoutts, De Castros, Lakes, Archibalds and others are entered into the much-dispersed annals of West Indian social and economic history. All around the Caribbean, these families and others — such as the Willoughbys, Horsefords, Ritters, Smiths, Vanterpools, Harrigans, Hodges and the like — are just as old school, educated, urbane, hardworking and honourable as any found in this territory.
Negative labels
In any event, VIslanders would never accept being labelled in a negative manner, and they are wise enough to reject this type of scurrilous assertion. And there are many honourable men, women and children of these islands who reside in other countries such as the US, where many VIslanders live and work! Yes, labelling foreigners and expatriates poorly is a double-edged sword cutting one and all. It is very unwise indeed.
Suggesting that Africans and Filipinos don’t mind being treated poorly as long as they have access to the mighty dollar bill also shows a lack of understanding and a complete disregard for the personal dignity, social welfare and human rights of fellow residents.
One wonders if some public figures are not being used by invisible people in these islands with a “darker agenda.” Perhaps men and women of the press are being used unwittingly as mouthpieces for those who would do real harm to others, had they the opportunity.
The old political tool of divide and conquer appears to be rearing its ugly head in VI politics once more in certain circles. One can intelligently see a narrative beginning to form, a less-than-attractive political agenda adopted by some that may well be an underlay in the fight for power at the VI general election in about three years.
Xenophobia and intolerance, however, will not be beneficial for this community.
Moreover, this new disease of promoting hatred of foreigners by a thoughtless handful is simply an admission of failure by policymakers, who over many years have failed to fashion a viable immigration and labour policy for this tiny island. In the past, the process got caught up in local politicking, nepotism and corruption. Former regimes were well known for allowing certain government departments to become the personal hiring and firing agencies for certain high and mighty individuals.
This was an example of unethical leadership, sadly overlooked by past UK governors for whatever reason. Hence, it allowed for serious injustice in the process — often, for example, denying legal status to law-abiding residents who have lived quietly for decades without a single blot on their integrity.
Instead this privilege was granted to friends overseas, and to every opportunist who had a wallet full of cash — people who probably resided in the territory for a few months, but who greased some notable and powerful palms.
Now the bottom has fallen out of the immigration and labour barrel. And these same pundits want to blame Humble Joe Down-Islander for the mess. Today the results are clear. The law has failed to protect the interests of both belongers and expatriates.
In any event, xenophobia and fear will not work in today’s globally oriented economic climate! Protectionism and jingoism, these days, are the last refuge of the huckster, scoundrel, trickster, hypocrite and political opportunist.