Dear Source:
Yesterday our community was victimized by graffiti that defaced a building on Back Street that stated ‘No Indians Go Back to India’. It is wording and expression of a sentiment that is hateful towards the Indian community but more so to our community as a whole.
It is the first time that I have seen such a direct attack on the Indian community with this hate crime comment and for many of us in the community it is hurtful as to what is conveys to our children, that are beginning their journey as Virgin Islanders and to our elders that have enjoyed their most fruitful years in our community.
I am more so appalled because whoever wrote these words has no comprehension of the beauty and values of this amazing group of islands and its people, the U.S. Virgin Islands, that we all call home. A
place that is so accepting and embracing of many cultures and many more people and that is what makes us full of riches.
I feel strengthened that our community rejects such thoughts, and we must all do what we can to condemn any actions that will put anyone at risk.
I would like to express the appreciation of the Indian community to the many people that have expressed support to our members and their families. We are all stronger together!
“Darkness cannot drive darkness; Light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; Love can do that.” – Martin Luther King
Pash Daswani, interim president of the India Association of the Virgin Islands