Dear Source:
In case you're thinking that the unfavorable recommendation of the governor's appointee to the task of Education Commissioner, Lynn Spampinato; was racism, pure and simple, let me explain that nothing is ever that 'simple' in paradise.
Buried under all the debris of politics as usual, bull headed pride, fear of change, ignorance of the business of education on the mainland, knit picking for some issue that the Senators could use to make themselves look like they are protecting the public, is racism, but not black vs. white, as most people see racism.
The racism practiced here has to do with the native Virgin 'Eylanders', as they call themselves, keeping the 'down islanders'down – maintaining the status quo. The protest that our schools are not in trouble can be translated “Our schools are good enough for the children who go there."
Over 80% of the children in the public schools are descendents of the immigrants who have come from other Caribbean islands, originally to fill positions in the service industry under contract. Old habits die as slowly as Castro. Yes, there are children who come out of the public schools pretty well prepared to take on the world but this is usually the result of middle-class parental input. There are also many, many very bright children who come out of the public schools before they are prepared to fulfill their potential and make a positive contribution to the community.
No thought whatsoever is being given to what will happen if Dr. Spampinato is not confirmed by the whole Senate next week – about the utter turmoil and long period of limbo that the system will continue to endure while the governor selects another candidate and we go through this process all over again. It will be actually worse than it was before she came because she gave many people a glimpse of a wonderful education system we could all be proud of – 'twas better not to have known the possibilities.
The Governor and the Police Commissioner are trying to get the guns off the street. If the Senators would stop shooting us in the foot with decisions like this we wouldn't have children on the street with the guns in their hands in the first place.
Carol Lotz-Felix
St. Thomas
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