Contributing writer Dickson Igwe
This second of three stories on migration into the Virgin Islands states that the end of residency, citizenship, and belonger status, through length of stay, is on the horizon. This narrative begins by alluding to the debut of a wonderful stage performance of Virgin Islands art and culture.
Virgin Islands culture and history was clearly on display in March 2013. An enchanting play in these Lesser Antilles: ‘’THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS IN TIMES PAST,’’ had its first showing at the Community College Auditorium. Here was a wonderful rendition of Virgin Islands culture, history, and folklore: a piece of native excellence that was a sold out affair.
This Observer believes that this latest epiphany of local theater is world class, and the play, with similar Virgin Islands cultural masterpieces of writing, music, art, and drama, will contribute to Caribbean and Virgin Islands culture, society, and life, in ways yet to be seen.
The two hour rendition was a classic: a work of theatrical genius. The story and plot was brilliant, exhilarating, provocative, funny, and deep. It was a very colorful and charming affair: a prism into the Virgin past. But interestingly, even amazingly, the live narrative linked the past with the present and future. ‘’The BVI In Times Past’’ was a mural of the Virgin Islands for all who would appreciate and understand the root, trunk and branch of a way of life that is the very essence of these spectacular nuggets of geography.
The Virgin Islands like all West Indian countries possesses a unique and very valuable way of life. This is an eclectic Modus Vivendi steeped in Judean Christianity. The Virgin Islands, together with the rest of the West Indies, possess a cultural blend that evolved from the earliest days of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade. This was a theme that continued to evolve through to emancipation from slavery, and the thereafter of a post World War Two nationalism and independence.
That culture is a cocktail of themes: African, European, Middle Eastern, Asian, and Native Indian. And it can be found in all aspects of life: from food, drink, music and entertainment, to architecture, dress, church, sport, and education, add, family, commerce, community, and society.
Road Town harbour. British Virgin Islands. toptravellists.net
And the Christian Church, despite much criticism of its current Modus Operandi, remains the key institution of Virgin Islands culture. That is not going to change any time soon despite what some of a more secular cloth may assert in their very interesting news stories.
These Antilles must furthermore ensure that the more nefarious aspects of large and powerful countries are not allowed to adulterate, negate, and damage a unique heritage. And it is the duty of all who love these Antilles to protect, and even fight for, the culture and heritage of these islands, from dangerous and immoral influences, flowing in from various parts of the world. Yes, Virgin Islands culture, albeit eclectic, has been very well defined and established. It is there for all to see.
That unique heritage and its adoption is also a critical test for all who aspire to truly integrate into this community. Either you accept the Virgin Islands way of life: its customs and traditions, its history and its folklore, its dress, habits, and so on, or face marginalization.
It is nigh impossible changing a national culture and national way of life, despite the import of various alien sub types. Yes, tolerance of other cultures is a feature of a free democracy: but that does not mean subjugating one’s own value system to a model that is alien.
OK, returning to the migration story and it may indeed appear unfair, this assertion: that the opportunity to obtain residency and citizenship in the Virgin Islands by the future migrant through length of stay in the country is no longer viable. Sad indeed is that notion. And this is something the pontificates on the subject have failed to admit, state, and address.
The fact that the Virgin Islands possess a majority alien population is a fully understandable concern of the Virgin Islander. But even for migrants, this fact of a majority alien population should be of concern for one very crucial reason: a population dynamic, such as an overwhelmingly migrant majority, if that ever became unsustainable, say for example a ratio of 4 to 5 foreigners, to every Virgin Islands national, then that type of population metric could create national instability and even foster local unrest. The fact is this: the vast majority of migrants with some type of status are in the country for good. That is not going to change. And it is a demographic that establishes critical implications for the country, socially and economically.
OK. How and why is an increasing majority migrant population a problem? Well, one result of the influx of foreign nationals into the Virgin Islands is that this continued migration could lead to such a population imbalance between locals and foreigners, that a breakdown in the relations between Virgin Islanders, and belongers on one side, and non national residents and work permit holders on the other, is certainly possible. This breakdown is even more likely with the arrival of aliens from far flung regions of the planet, bringing to the melting pot a much more different cultural and social type, than say migrants from the immediate region.
In a tiny community, this could lead to an unacceptable level of hostility and tension, creating division and divisiveness. On another level, migrants unclear of their present and future status, owing to a lack of legal and legislative clarity may not possess the level of loyalty and attachment to Virgin Islands society that migrants with status possess.
Worship. A staple for Virgin Islanders. Photo courtesy www.cocorioko.net
In any event, and some years ago, this Observer foresaw this current paradigm; that the current migrant to Virgin Islander equation, would eventually become unsustainable, and an issue. And he penned a series of articles in the national media, propagating the imbibing of a Virgin Island’s nationalism into the country’s way of life, especially into the life of the migrant: in other words, integrating the migrant into the culture and way of life of the Virgin Islands.
That narrative spelled building a Virgin Islands national pride into the life of every resident: whether native, local, and belonger; or foreign, immigrant and expatriate. He saw that idea of Virgin Islands nationalism as the only answer to the current fear brought about by a radically changing demography caused by the influx of foreign nationals into the territory.
He stated in these stories on Virgin Islands nationalism, that an overtly nurtured Virgin Islands national pride, identity, history, culture, and personality, would ensure the preservation of Virgin Islands character, and way of life. He still believes that that is the only viable solution to the current migration reality of an increasing alien population in the territory. Virgin Islands culture, values, and nationality, should be adopted by all who desire to make these islands their permanent abode. See part I of this series here.
Dickson Igwe is an education official in the Virgin Islands. He is also a national sea safety instructor. He writes a national column across media and has authored a story book on the Caribbean: ‘The Adventures of a West Indian Villager’. Dickson is focused on economics articles, and he believes economics holds the answer to the full economic and social development of the Caribbean. He is of both West African and Caribbean heritage. Dickson is married with one son.
