Beautiful Virgin Islands


‘Lambert resort’ accused of racial discrimination against black locals

‘Lambert resort’ accused of racial discrimination against black locals

The Wyndham Tortola BVI Lambert Beach Resort has been accused of racial discrimination against some locals in the Virgin Islands, where non-white persons are being denied access to the facility.

The accusation came via a shocking review posted in the Real BVI community Board by social media commentator Ramoamasagana Pemberton aka 'Masa Pasa' on Sunday, August 29, 2021, about the alleged treatment at the facility.

“Heard about it from a friend. So they invited us today. Was my first time going there so we had to follow them? Pull up to the little buzzer thing. My local "white friends " gate went up. Friends went in.”

According to Mr Pemberton, “I pull up to the buzzer. Rang the buzzer and I was told sorry sir. We are closed to locals. Funny thing is my white friends got in and they've been living here for more than 15 years so yeah. Closed to black locals,” he wrote.

Locals infuriated by accusation


Meanwhile, the accusations infuriated locals who commented in the hundreds on the original post. They called for an explanation to the allegation.

One commentator, Ann Underhill-Warner said, “So Lambert/Wyndham if you are seeing the post we are expecting a response, don’t know what you will try to say but we need to hear from you!” she said.

Another commenter, Ian Clark remarked, “Everyone needs to not go there unless there is an explanation for this and I cannot imagine what that would be,” he said.

Others commented that they had similar experiences at the resort.

One person even stated that one such bad experience of racial discrimination experience occurred on their wedding day.

The resort in a statement on the accusation said, ‘Lambert Beach Resort is open to serve everyone no matter what colour you are, the people that buzz before said they are going to the restaurant, you buzz and said you are going to the pool."

The report further said, "To use the pool you have to either dine in the restaurant or be a guest in one of the hotel rooms.”

'Everyone deserves a second chance'


Meanwhile, the initial Facebook post by 'Masa Pasa' was subsequently removed on August 30, 2021.

"The previous post that I made was deleted. A private conversation happened between myself and persons of interest in the Resort. The management team have carefully read through every negative comment that was posted about the establishment, every bad encounter and are now reconfiguring certain things for change.

"I am mostly glad for the opportunity to revisit the establishment for the opening season. I encourage persons to look at the BVI as one BVI. Everyone deserves a second chance at something," Pemberton wrote.

In the past, there have been issues of white property owners denying locals access to beaches. All beaches in the VI are public.


The accusation came via a shocking review posted in the Real BVI community Board by Ramoamasagana ‘Masa’ Pemberton on Sunday, August 29, 2021, about the alleged treatment at the facility.

The resort in a statement on the accusation said the patron allegedly wanted to use the pool, hence they were denied access.

Meanwhile, the initial Facebook post by 'Masa Pasa' was subsequently removed on August 30, 2021, and replaced with an explanation.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
×