Dear Source:
Regarding Emily Jackson's request (see previous Open Forum letter headlined "Would this be a safe move?"), I offer the following:
Dear Emily:
As a former resident of St. Thomas for 10 years and a person raised in Indiana, I can completely understand your feeling to relocate. Let me begin by saying that I loved living on St. Thomas more than anything. I moved to the island as a young, single woman and left married and with a 2-year-old child. My husband was born on St. Thomas as was my daughter. We left in 1998.
You asked whether it is "safe." Yet, you are not concerned about the economy? Please be realistic in understanding that one's personal safety is related to a community's economy. How can you be safe in an environment when people may be robbing you so that they can buy food to eat? I am not saying that is how it is; yet, understand the correlation.
I was on St. Thomas when Hurricane Marilyn hit in 1995. I lived there through the recovery and rebuilding; yet, we still ended up leaving – not such an easy thing to do for born-and-raised Virgin Islanders. Yet, when my husband made the final decision, he said we must leave due to the nature of the "safety" of the island. I am a white woman; he is a Rastafarian black man. This was so difficult for both of us. We miss St. Thomas every day.
In normal times you may not have to worry about safety. Yet, even in Indiana, things are not always normal. Understand that in the Caribbean, there are cultures among cultures. People from each of the Caribbean islands live in different ways. What you may consider a normal thing – such as education, safety and a good work environment – is not how it may be on St. Thomas. The people of the island are still struggling from the horrible disaster they suffered in 1995. St. Croix still feels the "pain" from Hurricane Hugo in 1989. These were difficult times for the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the effects still blend into the economic and personal well-being of the place. Again, understand the connection.
Living there allowed me to understand there was a whole other world besides Indiana. The islands are the most beautiful place on Earth. The people are the most generous in the world, once they know and trust you. Again, understand that this does not happen overnight. I hope that before you pack your home and child for the move, you at least go on an exploratory visit. Look at the schools, see the job potential, talk to both white and black "locals." Get a feel for your own safety. Only you can judge by your own standards.
I will be happy to talk with you more in-depth via e-mail. Also, just to let you know: We will be moving back to St. Thomas someday; we just don’t know when. One thing I can say: It will always be our home.
Jah bless you and your son.
Linda Benjamin
