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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesBITTERSWEET HOMECOMING ON ST. THOMAS

BITTERSWEET HOMECOMING ON ST. THOMAS

To the editor:
I just wanted to tell you about my trip to St. Thomas (home) after being away for 18 months.
Let me say first–it was bittersweet. Yes, it was great coming home, seeing my family and friends and going to the beach. However, it was very sad to see what home looked like.
When I left to take a job in the States, the politicians were making promises on how things were going to get better. What I saw was different.
Nothing was really better. People still had hardships, drive-by shootings in the middle of the night, and businesses closed. I saw abandoned cars on Raphune Hill, graffiti in Altona, buildings dilapidated in town and behind Windward Passage Holiday Inn hotel, and trash everywhere. I saw unkept bush all over the place, and the only places that were "pretty" were the major hotels' grounds.
TV2 was airing commercials "Our Beautiful Islands" on cable TV, but all of them showed views of our waters. None of the commercials showed "on land." I think the reason is that it is ugly. Sad to say but it is true—no one cares any more, so the filth is just piling up. How can we invite tourists to our island and have it look like a dump?
As I visited with friends, I expressed my sadness. Everyone, including family members, blamed the government. I said, "You have to do for yourself, and not wait for the government or anyone else to hand you things."
The government has lots of problems, and it is our fault for electing bad people into office for decades. We need to choose right ones to !
I , too, fell in the rut of not caring before I moved away, but I wanted a better life. St. Thomas was a dead-end for me career-wise, so I had to go and achieve my dreams in the States. I will move back home later in life, but not right now.
I want to let everyone know that there is more out there to life—it may or may not be in St. Thomas, but don't wait for someone to "hand it to you." Take pride in yourself and you will see it emerge in your home, your community, your job, the island, the government, and then you will see the V.I. get better.
Stop making excuses and do something.
Daiv Ledee

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