Ambush in the Night

- Bob Marley

History will always be our best teacher.

The British have always played the long game. They set both their pots, and plots, well in advance. Then they sit and simply wait for us to swim walk into.

We then get trapped.

Once we see or feel that there is no way out, we then turn on each other. Instead of turning on those that have set the traps.

That is how they conquered every continent on earth.

They are still doing it now.

Divide & Rule

Take a look at how persons are dividing themselves into small groups.

*  Indigenous Virgin Islanders

*  Belongers

*  Work Permit holders

Arguing amongst ourselves as to who has a right to decide our future.

Meanwhile, the British have already decided in their own minds, and legislation, what our future is going to be.

Let us be clear on one thing.

In a real-world setting, 10,000 Virgin Islanders have no numerical political clout. Protests every other week won't cause the British to suddenly respect us and change course.

Calling into radio shows or sending around Whatsapps messages won't deter the Foreign Office in London.

Regional Unity

A few folks standing outside of Government House with placards will never dissuade the British from their agenda of Global Britain.

As seen recently, it was only when regional collective bodies such as CARICOM, OECS, and UWI stood up for the Virgin Islands, that the British backed down.

Collectively, these organisations represent 20 countries, of which 14 have votes in the United Nations.

That is what is called unified bargaining power.

That is what keeps the British from doing what they really want to do.

At the recent CARICOM meeting in Suriname, every member state of CARICOM reaffirmed their commitment to defending the right of the Virgin Islands to determine their own destiny.

Reality check

At the recent CARICOM meeting in Suriname, every member state of CARICOM reaffirmed their commitment to defending the right of the Virgin Islands to determine their own destiny.

The reality is the Virgin Islands' population is majority persons from other islands. Some have gone on to become Belongers.

Others will most likely be long-term residents. It is their very same countries that have stood by our side.

The days of thinking only Indigenous Virgin Islanders will be enough to keep our economy going are long gone.

So, let us ask ourselves these questions

Will we understand that we need our Caribbean family as much as they need us?

Or will we allow ourselves to fall into the traps set by the British?

"To divide and rule is their only plan"