Caucasians who make the VI their home are faced with challenges, but the main one is racism. Photo” VINO/File
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – They make up 7.28 percent of the Virgin Islands’ population, according to Wikipedia, but the Caucasians albeit Virgin Islanders or Belongers, feel they face the biggest challenge living in the VI, that is, racism.
Most of the individuals that were interviewed for this article echoed that sentiment of either being verbally or emotionally abused by some indigenous Virgin Islanders.
John Schultiess, a Canadian, who has been residing in the VI for the past 18 years, said he came here for the vast opportunities and because of the friendliness of the people. However, despite marrying a Virgin Islander and once the proprietor of a business, he found it unsettling that he was called a racist.
“I mean come on I have been called that several times to my face when I hold my ground on something that I think is wrong. I think it is very disappointing. The VI for most is an open-minded community but there are some who openly show contempt to the Caucasian community, which at times can be very uncomfortable…all in all I love living here.”
Another business owner, who owns a diving shop, lamented the hassle he sometimes experiences when he goes to bars that are frequented by the locals. Not wanting his name to be published, the 35 year-old man sees himself as a local after living here for the past 21 years yet he feels he cannot get that respect.
“I hate being called white boy. It jars my nerves and I have many local friends,” he said with a sigh. “But I have come to grips with it somehow mehson.”
Meanwhile, Aragorn Dick-Read, a proud Virgin Islander, took a more philosophical view on how “whites” are viewed here. He pointed out that certain individuals used the colour of one’s skin to divide a community to his or her advantage.
Aragorn Dick-Read, a proud Virgin Islander, believes that it is possible that the VI could have a white Premier. Photo: provided
“It’s a cheap tool because someone uses it when they want to dominate the community in the most unimaginative way…and it always backfires in the end,” Dick-Read opined.
Nonetheless, a United Kingdom citizen who is married to a Virgin Islander, admitted that although she has been welcomed into her husband’s family she still feels like an outsider because she is white.
“We have been married for eight years now, and to be honest if I say I socialise on a friendly basis with the Virgin Islanders females I would be lying! Most of my friends are whites and my daughter goes to Cedar School. Does that make me a snob? I guess some may say so but the reality is that the locals have snubbed me.”
Investment is crucial in any country but one businessman, who asked to be called JD, recalled the “nightmarish” process he had to go through to reside in the Virgin Islands.
“For the first three months, I was in Immigration at least thrice per week because of all the paperwork I had to get. To make matters worse I felt I was being royally screwed because I was white and the officers had this air about them,” the 53 year-old told this news agency. He is now living in the VI for 15 years and is the owner of one of the most stable businesses that employs 80 percent Virgin Islanders.
With a laugh he stated, “Maybe I should go back there and say shove it, after all the hassle I am here and contributing to society”.
Cliques?
There is the perception that the upper crust of the society consists of Caucasians and the uber-rich Virgin Islanders.
When this question was posed to a few “whites” in Cane Garden Bay over the week-end of May 26 through May 28, 2012, one Englishman working at one of the law firms candidly said “one can safely say so”.
A FSC report indicates that 46 percent of white earn over $50,000 or more annually.
The lawyer candidly stated that not many locals are into charities, snorkelling and wine tasting. “That’s why we are so close knit, we have the same interests that others shun or think is a waste of time.”
“If you go to the expensive restaurants like The Dove and Sugar Mill, it is inundated with trust companies employees, high ranking Government officials and lawyers,” he stated. “Then again these people are accustomed to a certain lifestyle before they came here so you can’t really criticise them for that.”
Even most Caucasians’ offsprings go to the two most prestigious private schools in the VI – The Century House Montessori School and Cedar International School.
A mother, who does not want her name to be published, bluntly stated that Cedar is the best choice for her children. “I know I will get knock for this, thank heavens my name will not be known…I could only shudder to think what my two boys would have learned if they went to one of the public schools.”
Likewise, Mona K. alluded that her daughter is able to get the education she needs, and is still able to interact with other Virgin Islanders’ students. “That is what I like about this school it is very diverse, hence the reason I enrolled her here and I don’t mind paying the fees.”
According to Cedar International School website, the annual fees and tuition for Kindergarten for the 2012/2013 term is $10,718; for the Primary level Grades 1 to 5 range from between $12,966 and $13,531 and Secondary level grades six to 12 are between $15,519 and $15,986.
Meanwhile, The Century House Montessori School, which caters for students 18 months to nine years, has an annual fee in the $9,000 range.
How can they afford it?
According to the Financial Literacy Survey Report 2011, whites seem to be the highest income earners among the ethnic groups in the VI.
The report, which was compiled by the Financial Services Commission (FSC), indicated that close to one in two whites or 46 percent carry home $50,000 or more – as compared to one in four blacks or 25 percent.
From research, most of the Caucasians are employed at law firms and trust companies. However, no data was available as to the exact number.
A white Premier?
While most who were interviewed for this article are sceptical of the day the Virgin Islands will be ruled by a Caucasian Premier, Dick-Read replied “Why not if he has all the rights, and if people believe and trust him.”
Asked if he as a white Virgin Islander would ever consider entering politics, the businessman stated, “Not right now but I would not discount it in the future. I am too honest to be a politician.”
Smdh….. a snob is snob… no matter the colour of one’s skin… Racism in the BVI goes both ways. So to the Caucasians in this article and their like-minded Black counter parts, who consider dining out at, or sending your children to over-priced businesses, consider the fact that in no way will that make your children less of a bigot than you probably are.
This is a joke, that they are on vino trying to be the victims…people do not take them seriously!!! who are more racist??
I agree especially with those white here from south africa
Dear kkk and the others making ‘racist’ statements. i don’t really think that anyone is trying to be a victim. People (Caucasions in this case) were asked specific questions and answered them and told you (the readers) how they felt living here. Everyone should be entitled to their opinion. Just because SOME white people send their children to Cedar School or Montessori, doesn’t make them racist….there are many other races attending those schools as well. Just because SOME white people earn more than locals or down-islanders, doesn’t make them racist…..I am sure there are many local and down-islander attorneys and professionals earning much more money than others as well. Why – especially when it comes to whites – is the issue always one of race? Certainly there may be some racist white people living here! But there certainly are some racist black people living here as well! Racists come in ALL sizes and colours! Although I am white…MOST of my friends are BLACK. BUT – I have been called a racist to my face many times by black residents. Who is actually the racist here? I would hope that this article motivates young BVIslanders to get as much education as possible so they can join the ranks of the professionals in the major industries here and earn the high incomes – instead of promoting more racism and hatred for the white residents that have chosen this beautiful country to make their home! It only takes a few nasty comments to stir up much hatred – no matter what race! And the many negative comments here already, just confirms that!
to white guy: the record shows that you all oppress blacks on this island and keep all the high paying jobs for whites and your family so get the hell off the net with your hogwash and piss trying to justify your racist actions and history..now talk that!!
To Keep it real,
Thank you for showing how ignorant you are. Blacks run the country and everything that happens in it. Sorry but the “blacks are always the victim” doesn’t work here.
the comment by “what a joke” is yet another example of how racism is overwhelming in this place for In the face of blatant discrimination in the BVI in terms of power, education, access, employment, wages, and the likes many people seemed immobilized by this fact and simply say there is a black government…its like racist whites who often say I have black friends or they are some who are to stunned to react to the reality of white supremacy in the BVI
I am not white nor am I “black” but I have all kinds of friends. And perhaps because I am neither but I have never looked at the colour of one’s skin to have someone as my friend. To do that is insecure. In fact, I make fun of them all – be it English, Antiguans, Trinidadians or Spanish. I do like people.
I also agree with Aragon that the BVI should not rule out a white Premier – think about Aragon hinself or Paloma at the Dove. Either of them will make a great Premier.
So what are you? Yellow? That’s the only other race
What the hell the whites are crying about??they have their government in the NDP that they finance and have all the access in the world too. They should be on cloud 9 for the next four years….on here wid dem cock-may-may claiming blacks are the racist…for god sake deman
REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY
I’M I READING WHAT I’M READING?
You will shudder to think that your child will not learn at a public school, as a teacher in our prestigious public school I shudder that you would think that your statement is not racist at all. Your statement has made me shudder to think that you could reproduce more of your kind to live in my beloved home.