Fraser suggests BVI has widespread inferiority complex
Opposition Leader Julian Fraser has suggested that members of the BVI society may be stricken with an inferiority complex which he argued is a widespread phenomenon.
Piggybacking on an earlier argument made by Fourth District Representative Mark Vanterpool, Fraser suggested that the issue at hand related to the inability of residents to appreciate their relative lack of freedom.
“There is a thing called an inferiority complex, and that inferiority complex comes through a person’s disbelief in themself to the point where they believe that others are better,” Fraser said.
Fraser was among a chorus of lawmakers who lunged for their bibles during the recent budget debate to help explain their position. In this instance, he guided fellow legislators to Ephesians 6 vs 5, even as he argued that the particular plight in reference was pervasive in the BVI society and was difficult for him to understand.
And while insisting that he did not come to the House of Assembly to offer a sermon, Fraser pointed out that the scripture in reference — which commended the obedience of slaves to their masters — was relevant at this time.
Fraser predicted that he will be accosted by residents to explain the scripture’s meaning – something he agreed to do – but he also urged those listening to figure out its meaning on their own.
“As [Vanterpool] pointed out, and said quite eloquently, we don’t need the approval of anyone to determine or decide whether we should be free. And freedom could only come through self-determination. No other way,” Fraser asserted.
He was adamant that persons should heed ‘the words of wisdom’ coming from Vanterpool.
“Of course, the average man on the street believes that he’s free,” Fraser argued. “Because when he’s finished working on Friday or any evening, he could go to the Pier Park and sip a margarita. To him, that’s freedom.”
He continued: “But there’s a different level of freedom when you reach a certain stage in life and you appreciate what your forefathers had gone through and you see that you are no different from them except the physical slavery. Mentally, you’re trapped.”
Fraser questioned why it should take someone attaining the age of 80 years before they could fully understand that they are not ‘free’ in the truest sense.