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Charlotte Amalie
Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesEd Brown vs. Vernald Turnbull

Ed Brown vs. Vernald Turnbull

Dear Source:
I read the quote from Vernald Turnbull, which to me was quite interesting, so I would like to respond to a particular section in his comments.
Educating kids and adults is a very complicated matter that involves socio-economic issues revolving around race and class and gender and attitudes.
What does race in the U.S. Virgin Islands and socio-economic issues have on education? Education is something that should have nothing to do with race or socio-economic issues in the way he is stressing. Education is for everyone and we need to make sure all are receiving a good education no matter race or socio-economic conditions. Remember, things related to race and socio-economic issues were not created overnight, and it takes more than education to resolve them.
You need the input of the family, the community, civic groups, etc. What you don't need is mindless political criticism but constructive criticism along with creative ideas and personal involvement.
Yes, we do need input from the family and community, but we need to be careful about including civic groups who use their power and influence to push their own agenda. As for calling concerns mindless and criticism bad, I see that as trying to cover up for a family member, someone you work for or a friend. We need this type of focus to keep people like the governor on track. If the community who vote these politicians into office cannot comment positive and negative, then why vote if we cannot criticize our senators as many times as needed and in any fashion to get at the truth. So, Mr. Turnbull, I think your comments are out of place, and if the governor had taken some of these constructive negative criticisms in a positive way, maybe, just maybe, our community will be more economically sound and the Virgin Islands will be a safer place to live. Thank God this is the last year for the current administration.
In the face of this criticism, it is ironic that just yesterday the extremely able and talented Commissioner of Education announced the initiative to obtain accreditation for the Junior and Middle schools in the territory. Furthermore, one of the High Schools on St. Croix won accreditation for the first time last year.
In the face of criticism, these people need to be criticized stronger than in this e-mail. It scares me when people like you feel that in eight years of this administration's service to the Virgin Islands one High School has been accredited and you are bragging about this as an accomplishment. I see that as a non-accomplishment, in eight years at least 75% if not 100% should have been accredited. So let's make sure when making comments about something dear to our community, like education, we verify that the accomplishment being promoted has value to the community. Concerned Virgin Islander.
Ed Brown
Atlanta, Ga.

Editor's 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.

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