Dear Source:
In response to the call for change through political activism and the optimism that is inspired by the accomplishments of Governor John P. deJongh, Jr., I feel compelled to express my thoughts and sentiments in regards to the proposed VI Constitution.
At this precious but volatile moment in Virgin Islands History, it is crucial that the voices of ordinary citizens be heard, respected and recorded. Virgin Islands residents have been waiting for decades to adopt a constitution. Our desire for self-governance is immense. We cannot remain passive any longer. It is time to take a stand and participate fully in a process that affects our future.
Civic-minded Virgin Islanders are paying attention to the proceedings involved in establishing a constitution and have observed that President Obama did not offer a personal opinion about the draft transmitted by our governor; however, a thorough analysis of the language by officials in his administration echoes the concerns articulated by our governor and alerts the Congress of the urgency to make modifications to the document.
It should also be noted that President Obama is a legal scholar with expertise in constitutional matters. This explains our governor’s embarrassment to send a document that insults the intelligence of the President. Objective minds understand the legal implications of the draft and can identify the glaring defects of the language. I am confident, though, that the evaluation of the document that Governor John deJongh forwarded to the President will result in the positive changes that we seek.
Several of the delegates who served on 5th Constitutional Convention have opined by writing that the document forwarded to the President is flawed. Nevertheless, persons who feel otherwise have an opportunity to testify at the Congressional hearings scheduled for March 17, 2010.
I am proud of my Virgin Islands Heritage and passionate about securing a better United States Virgin Islands (USVI ) for the succeeding generation. Our governor has demonstrated a commitment to achieving this goal by ensuring equal social, political and economic rights and opportunities for every citizen of the USVI . He has strived to maintain harmony, neighborhood stability and the ideals of democracy in the Territory since winning the 2006 gubernatorial election with the slogan "Together We Can."
Unfortunately, previous attempts to ratify a VI Constitution have created a lingering anxiety in our home. Inserting native rights clauses in the most recent draft has intensified the tension among the various minority groups and native Virgin Islanders. Despite the governor’s effort to prevent civil unrest, there is still a fear that a lack of federal endorsement of the proposed constitution will result in Congress not taking any action on the document. The idea that this could be another failure threatens to demoralize our VI community.
It is my hope that history does not repeat itself. If the draft is sent to us in its original form, it would be a devastating blow. This would mean another setback and more uncertainty about our political destiny. Since the enactment of the Revised Organic Act of 1954, we have struggled to adopt a constitution and have wasted a tremendous amount of money & energies doing so. In 1980, President Reagan declined to recommend any revision to the 4th draft and Congress returned it, unaltered to the USVI. Consequently, it was rejected by the electorate in the same year.
Throughout the convention, delegates were repeatedly cautioned by their legal counsels that the document they were preparing might be ruled unconstitutional; they ignored the warnings and hastily approved a final draft. When the entire document was publicised, it was a shock to learn about its explosive language. To most USVI residents, this proposed constitution is repugnant and reopens the wounds of ‘bigotry, hatred, divisiveness, and discrimination."
Although the USVI has not yet attained a permanent political status and the draft implicitly recognizes sovereignty of the United States, I understand that the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution is extended to the USVI by statue. It is my prayer, therefore, that peace and unity be restored to our home which is called the "American Paradise." While we seek greater autonomy and self-sufficiency, I believe that our political affiliation with the United States needs to be strengthened and any constitution that is adopted should promote equality.
Presently, there is an atmosphere of discontent in our Territory. Many residents feel betrayed by the prevailing convention delegates. A rum war between our neighbor, Puerto Rico, compounds the situation further. We wished for a constitution that would address our special needs and fulfill the promise of a brighter future for all Virgin Islanders. Instead, we have not made any advancement towards this goal and frustration, division and uneasiness seem to be escalating.
Hence, I have written this letter to heighten the awareness of the emotional cost that would be incurred if Congress fails to amend the draft and to focus attention on the turmoil that have ensued since the 5th Constitutional Convention was formed. Virgin Islanders, this is a call to take positive action to unite as one people, one Territory and one future for a better Virgin Islands.
God bless America and the United States Virgin Islands.
Verdel L. Petersen
St. Croix, USVI
