Pastor urges religious leaders to condemn ‘reparation’ comments by Gov Jaspert
The Governor made the statements during a Monday, September 7, 2020, Facebook interview with 284 Media, where he also called for relics of slavery in the VI to be preserved.
“In terms of reparations, that’s not a position the United Kingdom has taken, that’s not something that here [VI], that’s is in the position, but I think it is always worth ensuring that we learn lessons from the past and we reflect on what a horrific period in history that was,” Governor Jaspert had said when asked about the possibility of compensation to the VI for slavery.
The Governor made the statements during a Monday, September 7, 2020, Facebook interview with 284 Media, where he also called for relics of slavery in VI to be preserved.
Governot still benefit from colonialism - Skelton-Cline
According to Skelton-Cline, “The monarch exists on the backs of black people, you work people from can’t see in the morning, to can’t see at night but you don’t understand the construct of reparations, of repair, of repay?”
He was at the time speaking on Honestly Speaking on ZBVI 780 AM on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, noting that even in today’s era the governor remains a benefactor of slavery through his office and benefits from VI taxpayers dollars for vehicles and housing.
“While you [Governor Jaspert] benefit… of what was wreaked upon a people and yet come before those very people and speak in that manner and you don’t see anything wrong with this?
“And people of the Virgin Islands, we don’t see anything wrong with this? Are we that asleep? I know there has to be a majority of voices... calling for a public apology.”
Media & religious leaders called out
The commentator called on the media, talk show hosts, the Government and local religious leaders to denounce the comments against the people of the VI. “If you want to know what’s in a man's heart, the Bible says, listen to what is coming out of his mouth.”
Skelton-Cline further urged the Fahie administration to start a Reparations Commission to document the story of slavery in the VI and present to the United Nations and the UK for reparations to be paid to the Virgin Islands.
“How much longer we as a people will continue to tolerate this kind of a treatment from the United Kingdom and its representative? It's out of order and, Governor Jaspert, you need to apologise to the people of these Virgin Islands!” Mr Skelton-Cline stated.
