Dickson Igwe, Resident Socio-Political Commentator
Is there hope that this unethical and dishonest subculture of the past two decades will be reversed? This Old Boy believes that this will happen only when there are consequences for bad behavior.
Presently, history reveals that there are no consequences for bad behavior for the ‘’big shots’’ in the Virgin Islands. It is rare a high official is charged for criminal misconduct. On the other side of the scale, Joe Average cannot get away with what Julius Caesar can get away with. That is simple reality.
Now. Public corruption; official graft; drug, gun, and gang crime; weakening family ties; the disappearance of the village community; these preceding behaviors threaten to destroy Virgin Islands culture and community.
And the Commission of Inquiry is simply the result of a disturbing amoral trend that is evidenced at the lower end by increasingly illegitimate behaviors such as illegal scooters and vehicles, sexual crimes against minors, theft, burglary, assault, and drug dealing. On the higher end of the social ladder there is conflict of interest, unethical practices, and white collar crime.
However, at the root of crime, poor ethics, and corruption, whether here in the Virgin Islands, or elsewhere, is neither poor policing nor poor political and social leadership.; it is the love for money, that drives immorality, especially greed.
If one aspect of Christian theology rings true, it is the fact that the love of money is at the root of all evil: not money, but the love of money. And when one assesses illegality and illegitimacy in any society, at source is the love for ‘’ Mammon.’’
The preceding assertion is at the root of what is taking place in the Virgin Islands today. Greed and envy are the drivers of present Virgin Islands crime, and the new immorality stems from the love of money, especially obtaining money without hard work and sacrifice.
The wholesome culture, morals, and values of yesteryear, are swiftly disappearing.
The days of a moral, honest, pleasant, respectful, and slow paced community, are long gone.
The present generation at core is singularly interested in a crude Americana, with its love for fast cars, fast boats, promiscuous women, night clubs, and the quick buck.
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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.
