You People!

You have proven, response after response, you will not understand or accept my point of view..

Oh I do understand it, and you are right - I don't accept it. It is not about you or I, it is about all of us, together.

I took a look at some of your postings and things written about you around the net. You very much are a separatist.

Edit: at least I can say you are right about this: "Knowledge cannot be given, it has to be earned, once earned it cannot be taken away."

Would it surprise you that I only have completed the 9th grade? You should see the library of books I have, numbering in the hundreds. My favorite book that sits in front of me, here, along with a selection of 20 other books that covers a full range (including one old copy of Grimm's Fairy Tales) is the Encyclopedia of Networking. When I first bought that book I read it cover to cover three times in a row, so I could fully absorb the information. I have no idea how many times I have used it as a reference...

Edit Edit: I also strongly agree with this statement:

"Today’s educational system is out dated and under funded. We graduate thousands every year and the thousands of dropouts, are sent out into our communities with a certificate / diploma."

It is really too bad that funding is being cut to the arts and sciences. Hell, the government spends more on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan than the entire budget of NASA!

Hell,the government spends more on air conditioning in Iraq and Afghanistan than the entire budget of NASA

NoOne:
Thank you for pointing that out.
Swan

I'm going to add one last thing to this concerning what I said about the arts and sciences:

Science is art. Art is science. Just look at what Beethoven did, and how mathematically correct it is. After all, the piano is a machine. There is a certain beauty even in science.

I came across this article, and I feel it is very relevant to this topic, and to some of the responses to my situation

I do not think all White people are Racist.

But, a lot stand silently by when witnessing in injustice or discrimination, especially those benefactors to such practices.

Are Most White People Racist?
http://newsone.com/newsone-original/rk-byers/opinion-are-most-white-people-racist/?omcamp=EMC-CVNL

Comment by
Crammaster

It is useless AND deceptive to attempt to answer such an important question by calling some whites "dumb." The SMARTEST and MOST POWERFUL white people on the planet practice racism/white supremacy 24-7/365 days a year.

That is the ONLY way 9 percent of the population could control and oppress the other 91%, and DUMBNESS has nothing to do with it.

To help blacks understand how MOST whites practice racism -- or assist other racist whites in practicing racism, here's an excerpt from the book, 'Trojan Horse: Death of a Dark Nation" by Anon

(www_trojanhorse1_com (couldn't post this as a real link)

EXCERPT

Q: How can a non-white person determine if a white person is a racist?
A: Non-whites cannot always determine who is a racist, and who is not, because it is impossible to monitor (or judge) all the individual actions and words of any white person at all times.

It is the crime of commission AND omission that allows the system of racism/white supremacy to function so effectively. The system does not require all whites to practice racism at all times, but it does require that the majority of whites say and do nothing when racism is occurring andallow themselves to benefit from the victimization of non-whites.

Those benefits include better jobs, housing, food, medical care, education, police protection, justice, etc., than non-whites. If the majority of whites were opposed to racism/white supremacy, it would NOT be the most powerful social, economic, and political system on the planet.

It is LOGICAL to assume that the majority (or possibly all) white people have made a DELIBERATE DECISION to do one or all of the following:

• practice racism
• do nothing and say nothing to stop others from practicing racism
• deny racism is being practiced even when they know it is happening
• refuse to help the victims of racism with the information they have

That’s why simple-minded thinking is useless when determining which white person is a racist and which one is not. It cannot be determined by a white person’s sexual behavior. White slave owners had sexual relations with male and female slaves but they were still white supremacists (racists).

Whites have engaged in sexual relations with black people, but that doesn’t mean they are not racists. Whites who have black friends, wives, husbands, or children are still “racist” if they are practicing racism against non-whites.

It cannot be determined by observing the words or the actions of a particular white person, who may or may not be practicing racism at that particular time. It be determined by a random (or deliberate) act or acts of kindness toward a non-white person.

Mass child-murderer John Gacy was “kind” to children when he performed in his clown costume. There were slave-owners who were “kind” to their slaves, but not kind enough to stop selling human beings.

AXIOM #1: YOU CANNOT OPPOSE SOMETHING AND KNOWINGLY BENEFIT FROM IT AT THE SAME TIME.

It is LOGICAL in a white supremacist society (like America) to assume the majority of whites are either practicing racism (the act of commission), or are cooperating with those who are, by saying and doing nothing to stop them, refusing to help the victims of racism with the information they have (the act of omission), and are benefiting from the practice of racism.

END OF EXCERPT

I think this part needs to be highlighted the most out of Mr. Butcher's quote and what he wrote, because it outlines his mentality:

To help blacks understand how MOST whites practice racism...

It is LOGICAL to assume that the majority (or possibly all) white people have made a DELIBERATE DECISION to do one or all of the following:

I like this part the most:

Neil refuses accept what I have written, and chooses to interpret my statement as I lumped everyone together, as I was stereo-typed.

Wow, that is sick and racist article. I'm not going to look at this thread anymore, it's just become more and more disgusting.

**and I reported it, no one should have to read that. It just encourages more racism. If you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.

Got to agree - this has really headed off the rails.

The real irony is that the poster is riling people up with separatist rhetoric, as he also comes across in the letters published in the newspapers, acting as some kind of teacher, protectionist, and leader of the locals. But he isn't a 'born-here' crusian? To me that reeks of some kind of self-empowerment kick, and has little to do with real change or improvement. It just further fuels the flames of racism against us pakeha's.

In the words of Dennis Miller "Of course that's just my opinion. I could be wrong". 😎

So tell me, Mr. Butcher, why do you feel that the at least 75% overall black population, which is the majority of the population of the islands, are oppressed?

Hiya

I agree with you, this is exactly why I posted tis article, to show I understand your position, because there are Black Racist, too.

The response by Crammaster, offer a different point of view, which you totally seem to have overlooked. It is hard deny that there is truth to his comment.

A major problem in America is the inability to discuss Racism, regardless of who is guilty.

Open dialogue is the only solution to any discord.

A bigot, a racist, I am not.

A Black Chauvinist, I can accept that, because I am about empowerment for myself, my family, my neighbors, my community, my people, who are mostly Black. This is not about discriminating, persecuting or denying anyone else their rights.

It is clear that family and social values are paramount in connecting with humanity. We African Americans are a Family and it is time that we begin working toward our own Families’ interests. “Charity begins at Home”, is not separatism nor selfishness. The neglecting of ourselves and relying on others to provide for us, nurtures that negative perception other families have of our communities.

Hating on Me, will not change what is happening in our community. In fact the Haters are making my point to anyone who is trying to be Objective.

I have nothing else to share.

islandhops

My father was born in Trinidad, WI, his father was born in Barbados,WI.
His father was from Scotland (French-Scottish)

My Father’s mother was born in Martinique raised in Grenada ( French -African) I was told that my great- grandmother’s african roots was Rhodesia, Africa.

My mother was born outside of Appomattox Va., both grandparents very born in the same area. My grandfather’s people were African. My grandmother’s mother was Cherokee/African.

Now that there is the use of DNA for tracing someone roots, I recent realized that because of my lineage my blood type is A+. This means that the majority of Africans and African Americans blood types are O+ and B+

I have to go to Others for a blood transfusion if I ever needed one.

When people meet me they are often curious to my background and religion. They ask if I’m Muslim, Rasta, African, West Indian................etc.

My usual response is that, I am Human.

I am 64 yrs. and I have been a teacher on St. Croix since 1969, when they were recruiting teachers from the States.

I have had thousands of students, who hold major position here in government.

My children are born here, and I have blood relatives that go back to the early 1900's.

Is this justification enough?

"I have to go to Others for a blood transfusion if I ever needed one."

Another statement.

It is obvious that you are confused by your background.

A Black Chauvinist, I can accept that, because I am about...

And the definition of chauvinist is:

chau·vin·ism (shv-nzm)

chauvinist - a person with a prejudiced belief in the superiority of his or her own kind

and a synonym is:

bigot - a prejudiced person who is intolerant of any opinions differing from his own

Do black supremicists wear funny pointed hats? 😎

noOne

You are the perfect example of why I feel home-schooling and self-teaching, sometimes leaves the student with a one-side or narrow perspective on Reality, which I know is relative,

Open exchange and dialogue are essential to Objective Comprehension.

Keep picking, you are really supporting my position with those who are reading with a wanting to really see an equitable solution to this issue.

Don't attack my education, because I will attack yours. That is a fair warning.

Hi Cruz.... I'm replying to you comments on my recent post where you suggest some of them are ignorant or clueless.

1.

Neil wrote: Now the OP has stated his concern that somehow the local children won't be able to own land here. Last I looked, there was plenty for sale.

Cruz responded: ~ this comment shows me that you're totally clueless, since you can't comprehend that the OP is speaking about locals, specifically natives, not being able to AFFORD to purchase land

-------
Neil responds to Cruz: "Natives" as you call them (whatever a 'native' really is, unless you are referring to Tainos or Caribs) is a loaded political concept. If by "natives" you mean "poor people who have lived here a long time" ...I have no problem helping poor people, regardless of how long they've lived here.

You and the OP make the assumption that land here is out of people's price range. It is not for 'most' of the people. Unless you are referring to prime-oceanfront land, or retail space, there is plenty of land for sale at extremely low cost. You suggest I'm "clueless" on this subject, but I would suggest that THE GOVT and the VOTERS are clueless when it comes to land ownership. Rather than build "housing projects" as they have for decades, and turned poor people into perpetual renters who don't pay property tax, why haven't they offered land and building help? I'll tell you why... because it is THEY who are ignorant (or perhaps 'smart' as it's given them a captive voting base). --Neil

-------

Neil wrote: Heard a man on 1620 the other day say they he felt entitled to free land because he was a veteran. I have no problem with that. It's another form of "40 acres and a mule." But make them work for it, such as, graduating from H.S. without fathering a child. Or serving our country, or staying out of jail.

Cruz responded: I'm not even going to waste my time with the ignorant comments that you just stated....and for the record, I don't fully believe in entitlements

Neil responds to Cruz: It is you are who ignorant of history.
"40 acres and a mule" refers to the giving of land and livestock to freed black slaves after the Civil War. Similar policies helped settle most of the Midwest and West. They were incentives, not entitlements. Throughout history, governments have given land to soldiers and others. It's as old as the Roman Empire (and one of the ways they were able to settle so much land). Land ownership creates income, generates taxes, promotes political stability, and supports family building. Too bad the USVI govt doesn't do more to promote it.

Note: The VI govt owns 15% of all housing in the USVI. The USVI has a 49% homeownership rate, compared to 54% in New York State.
--Neil

-------

Neil wrote: But I'm afraid that underlying the argument (fear) is the insinuation that "you people" (whoever "you" might be) are now conspiring to take away land from people who haven't paid their property taxes. And that's where I start to barf. It's one thing to argue tax codes and issues of fairness and relief. It's another thing to interject boogeyman conspiracies into it. It's called pandering to people's fears, and it's wrong.

Bill Cosby was right. "Time to stop blaming ______ people."
If you haven't read it, you should: http://www.eightcitiesmap.com/transcript_bc.htm

Neil writes: Cruz, have you read it? It made news for weeks when Cosby originally said it. Ticked a lot of people off.
Essentially Cosby says what many of us believe in both the "us and they" community ...that we must stop the politics of "victimization".

You suggest I'm "clueless" on this subject, but I would suggest that THE GOVT and the VOTERS are clueless when it comes to land ownership. Rather than build "housing projects" as they have for decades, and turned poor people into perpetual renters who don't pay property tax, why haven't they offered land and building help? I'll tell you why... because it is THEY who are ignorant (or perhaps 'smart' as it's given them a captive voting base). --Neil

Yes, you are clueless and I really don't feel like picking apart your comments right now, but the above is the one thing that I agree with you on.

Also, please find for me on St. John "plenty of land for sale at extremely low cost"? I would like to see it.

HEY Ivan BUTCHER,
Maybe to support your original Post first Paragraph last sentence. There is a Beach in Atlantic City New Jersey called (Chicken Bone Beach). It is still called that today. You can research the who, what, when, why, and how, It's available on the internet.

What a bunch of silly bickering posts - destructive and petty - Mr. Butcher, you are not helping your cause here! Everyone just let it go..it has degenerated to the "I am not...so are you..." of the Second Grade.
That article that you quoted, Mr Butcher, was ignorant, hateful and very poorly written...it does not reflect well on your critical thinking skills...now let's move on to helping people who have questions about relocating to the islands.

and you wonder why the schools are F'd up!:-(

Have to agree with poorthang*-)(tu)

OMG...I missed that part of his post!

poorthang wins the internet! 😎

You suggest I'm "clueless" on this subject, but I would suggest that THE GOVT and the VOTERS are clueless when it comes to land ownership. Rather than build "housing projects" as they have for decades, and turned poor people into perpetual renters who don't pay property tax, why haven't they offered land and building help? I'll tell you why... because it is THEY who are ignorant (or perhaps 'smart' as it's given them a captive voting base). --Neil

......

Also, please find for me on St. John "plenty of land for sale at extremely low cost"? I would like to see it.

I think St. John is a rather unique case because of its land use, economy, and very limited population (by comparison to the other two islands) and perhaps should be handled uniquely.

The 2000 Census Data paints a decent picture of housing and housing costs in the USVI.
Half of homes owned. 54% with no mortgage. Most people not paying more than 1/3 of their income on mortgage/rent.
Economic and affordability issues, yes (like everywhere), but "people are taking our children's land" -No.

"people are taking our childrens land"-only because you chose to sell it.