The people have spoken, and the message is clear. The Virgin Islands Party’s win was a ringing declaration that voters want a change. It is also clear what form they …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: VI wants change, and new government must bring it”
The people have spoken, and the message is clear. The Virgin Islands Party’s win was a ringing declaration that voters want a change. It is also clear what form they …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: VI wants change, and new government must bring it”
Dry day While a Beaconite was between polling stations on Monday, she stopped in a bar to grab a drink. “No alcohol served during elections until 6 p.m.,” a …
The Afrikan Studies Klub would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for their participation in our annual wreath-laying ceremony at the start of this month. We would …
Continue reading “COMMENTARY — African ‘ancestors’ explained”
Well done, Virgin Islands! We ran a successful election with only a little noise, and no serious incidents. The electorate has spoken — whether wisely or not, we shall see …
One matter the new government will have to keep front and centre is the fact that elements in the United Kingdom establishment are calling for major changes in the overseas …
Continue reading “Commentary — UK report sparks indignation”
All eligible voters should exercise their right to cast a ballot in the General Election. But first, they should do their due diligence, putting aside any preconceived notions and learning …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Please vote on Monday, but do it wisely”
At the gas station A new Beaconite has been busy covering political parties without bias or opinion for the past two weeks. But everywhere she seemed to go throughout …
Where the Virgin Islands leads, the United Kingdom will follow. First, members of the VI’s ruling party resigned because they did not like their newly elected leader. Now, in the …
Continue reading “Commentary — Quips target recent politics”
I am following up my letter of last week, “Cyberattack victim recounts his ordeal,” to alert voters to possible external interference in our election, without compromising police investigations into the …
The table is set for the Virgin Islands’ general election. Premier Dr. Orlando Smith dissolved the House of Assembly in January and set an election date for Monday. Last Thursday …
Continue reading “Commentary — Voters urged to hit the polls”
As Election Day approaches, this Virgin Islands resident pleads with the voting and nonvoting public to exercise patience, civility and cordiality throughout the whole electoral process through the voting on …
I cannot deny that there’s room for improvement in the teaching of world history in our schools, including African history (or “black history,” as it is commonly called in this …
Continue reading “Commentarty — African history seen as neglected here”
New face The newest Beaconite is Zarrin Tasnim Ahmed, a Bangladeshi American coming from Connecticut. She grew up in the state and earned a bachelor’s degree in English and journalism …
I would just like to point out to the Afrikan Studies Klub, and indeed the Beacon editorial writer, that the club cannot possible pay tribute to ancestors who lost their …
Continue reading “Commentary — Parties’ recent history analysed”
What a wonderful welcome! Two years ago, we commented on our misgivings about immigration procedures in the Virgin Islands. Whilst alighting from the Cape Air plane out of San Juan …
Continue reading “LETTER — Visitors pleased with warm welcome”
Out of curiosity, I unwisely opened an email apparently from myself in my spam folder. Google translated a message in Italian, claiming that its writer had watched me for months …
Continue reading “Commentary — Cyber-attack victim recounts ordeal”
For years here in the Virgin Islands, there has been a conversation by so many people in regards to children being born in this territory to expatriate parents and about …
Continue reading “Commentary — Writer fears expat ‘takeover’”
The people of the Virgin Islands go to the polls next Thursday to elect a government for the next four years. The election comes as the territory is entering a …
Continue reading “Commentary — ‘Where will the money come from?’”
The insurance tribunal that government established after Hurricane Irma was a good idea, and its members are now making sound recommendations that we hope policymakers will take to heart. In …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Leaders should act on insurance tribunal’s good ideas”
It’s February. February. Are they here yet? Where are they? Who? Why, the 450 medical students who were to arrive this month to begin, or continue, their studies. Perhaps the …
Continue reading “Commentary — Campaign rhetoric, promises mocked”
A young Virgin Islander went on a rant on Facebook recently and screamed at the voters who demand cash for votes. But cash for votes is nothing new. It is …
Continue reading “Commentary — ‘White-envelope politics’ rejected”
Last July, I had occasion to write to your newspaper about the postal services in the Virgin Islands. I had hoped to be able to write a follow-up letter some …
Continue reading “Commentary — PO woes seen to be worsening”
The European Union’s blacklisting threat against smaller territories is undemocratic and brutal. It also reveals a fundamental misunderstanding of what Virgin Islands companies do. Repetition is to be avoided in …
Last week the Afrikan Studies Klub once again held a wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate Africans who died in the trans-Atlantic slave trade. The well-conceived event — which is held each …
Continue reading “EDITORIAL: Wreath-laying ceremony a step toward reclaiming history”
Face the questions A Beaconite has noticed that some election candidates are not making themselves particularly accessible during this campaign season. Some have dodged debates, for example, and others have …