Dear Source:
The arguments will never stop about who is a true Virgin Islander. Everyone will have a different opinion on that no matter which way it is turned. The bottom line is simple if looked at in a different light.
The question to ask is, who cares about the Virgin Islands and what is happening to it. Who cares about the crime rising? Who cares about our education, our health issues, our environment, and our economy? Who cares about what the future holds for our children, grandchildren, etc? Who cares about the corruption that has infested itself in our government? Who really cares?
You don't have to be black, brown or white. You don't have to be born here or not born here. If you live here, raise your children here, work here, you should care about everything in the Virgin Islands as a whole. What legacy do we have to leave the future with if we continue on the road we are on?
This is our home. The problem is not who is born here and who is not. The problem is we need more people to care about what is going on and make a stand on the issues that affect all of us. We need people to care enough to stand up to things getting done right, about the problems being resolved, and not just sit back complaining only and thinking things will fix themselves.
We have good people that were /born /here and have done great things for these islands. We have good people that were /not born /here and have also done great things for these islands. We have bad people who were born here and a part of the corruption, crime, and demise of these islands and we have bad people who were not born here and are part of the corruption, crime, and demise of these islands too. Who gets to say which one of these people are a true Virgin Islander?
Every person that stands up and fights for positive things in these islands, that tries their best to do good for and in these islands, that show their love for these islands with their heart and soul, that cares deeply about all that is taking place and do their part in making these islands a better place to live in for themselves and others too, in my opinion is the personification of a true Virgin Islander.
Carol Berry
St. Thomas
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