Do you have to be white to be racist?

Sorry to lurk, but this subject can get very annoying. It is hard to get inside the head of someone who is racist, the whole concept of it is so alien to me. For some reason some people think it is okay to be racist, even be proud of it. Ignorance comes in all colours.

I might be naive, but I have a hard time believing that most people are grossly racist. We all have biases, prejudices, pet peeves, etc, but we use common sense to make decisions on day to day issues, and let many factors influence our thinking.

So, is it possible that mixed in with a small bit of black on white prejudice, that perhaps the bigger issue in the delegates minds is the thought that the islands could be over-run with a kind of Disney mentality... let's turn the island into one big amusement park, or casino, or gated billion dollar estate housing projects. Is the fear that big money high rollers could buy control of the government or single issues that ruin the west indies culture. Then perhaps the fear is that only native VIs have the cultural "sensitivity" to make sure this doesn't happen... mainlanders come and go, have their big ideas, etc. I'm not saying that this notion is not also a bit misguided... but it might not be a black/white thing... it's more a local/mainlander thing.

EngRMP,

I don't think you're naive. It's just that you don't live in the VI so it hard to believe the way things are here are so far from your experience with how civil societies operate.

antiqueone, dntw8up, Sabrina and EngRMP - it is not uncommon for someone to seize upon the greatest angst of a people and use it to further a goal. It may be a noble goal, the end does not always justify the means, in my opinion.

I understand what former Sen. Bryan wants for his people, but his method of negotiating is abrasive. His followers eat it up, thinking that he is fighting for their rights.

And, please keep in mind, that I will never be one of "his people", I've already rubbed him the wrong way. I do, however, stand up for his right to express himself. He does not care if anyone finds him warm and fuzzy, as I'm sure you've figured that out by now.

I just make it my business to do my thing while he does his.

Anita,

I am sure that you are correct about the majority not agreeing with former Senator Bryan's views. But he did have enough of a following to get elected to the constitutional convention. And his protegee Usie will probably get reelected again and invite Farrakhan down to speak again. Subtle racism by a few does not concern me as much as public racism by elected officials which goes uncriticized.

I see subtle racism almost every day here in the VI. As dntw8tup mentioned previously, things like register lines closing just as you get to the register and sales people ignoring you even though you have been waiting for a long time are routine. I just ignore this. I am sure that blacks in the states get this all of the time. But what bothers me is the lack of criticism of overt racism by elected officials. Not a single senator criticized Juan Figueroa-Serville's KKK rant on the senate floor. Not a single senator criticized the idea of inviting Farrakhan to speak to the senate. At least the governor had the good sense not to attend Farrakhan's rally in Fredricksted, and he got criticized for that.

John

Until there is accountability through districting or numbered seats, the legislature will not be sensitive to the needs of the voters of the Virgin Islands.