Dear Source,
Greetings my People, forgive me if I don't sound to surprised at what's happening on St. John right now. Last year I attended a meeting and expressed the pain the people on St. John were feeling and the imminent threat that lurked within it's borders. A reporter for a local paper took my words out of context and said a guy named Grasshopper got up and said "We will fight you! We will pick up arms and fight you!" I just want the reporter to see where I am at the present time! I've been on tour with Inner Visions since June and know nothing of the happenings except what little bits and pieces I collect from friends and family. I hope she is out covering this in detail!!!! I never wanted to incite anyone. My words were ignored and I was basically looked at as a rebel. Anyone who truly knows me, know my love for St. John is in the heart. It's why I never left in the first place (as many of my classmates did) and would never do anything to harm anyone there. I roam the streets and feel the pulse of the people. All I did was put out the warning. However if migrants who move there continue to act with impunity as if we don't even exist, what you can expect will be nothing lest than violence. I blame the Governors and Senators of the past as well as the current Governor and crew for not making sure St. Jonians get their fair share of the pie, (High School, Hospital, Police, fire, Trash, etc.) We are sick and tired of being treated as a step child in St. John and now all this is a result of your behavior. To long we have complained. If you need Govt. assistance, catch the boat and heaven help you if you get things done on that day. The result? Catch the boat again!!! We pay Ambulance on St. John and plus Ambulance on St. Thomas just to get health care when our St. Thomas counterparts don't have to. I may sound as if I'm going on and on but the truth is, we see others come here with nothing and because they happen to come from New York or Miami or somewhere their plans are passed with ease and they get everything. Don't know who's paying who? I guess if I had money I'd have clout too!
Yes it's been festering a long time and when all these things combined with the seemingly racial tensions that exists, it's a catalyst for destruction. The Solution? Respect!!! It may be your US paradise but it's our VI home and the bottom line is before you own it (again I say), I know my people will destroy it! If you see yourself as White, Red, Yellow, Black, Brown or Other and you love St. John as I do, then I'm speaking to you! We must live together in peace or suffer and perish as idiots! Please don't take this warning lightly!! We must float together for the betterment of St. John or sink in the same boat. This choice belongs to all of us. Almost every St. Johian has got a racial story to tell. Just ask anyone. If we don't wake up quickly, another Fountain Valley will be on our hands. Ask yourself. Can we really sustain this?
Wake up People!!
Blessings,
Phillip "Grasshopper" Pickering
Editors note:We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
