I have been reading the VI Daily News online. I've seen several letters to the editor concerning racial tensions on STJ. Are these problems limited to STJ? How about STT and STC, and the BVI and the rest of the Caribbean Islands? Are there racial problems there also?

I too am concerned about these ongoing problems. We will be in STJ in less than a month and are considering cancelling due to fear of being caught up in this awful mess...

Can someone there (or who recently got back) please update the situation? Are racial tensions rising? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Don't cancel your trip. We just got back two weeks ago today and experienced nothing but greatness. We were in town walking around many nights, eating, drinking and being merry. I am assuming these incidents that you are hearing about are separate incedents and are not widespread.

Enjoy your trip.

Thanks, Brady. Glad you had such a wonderful time. I appreciate your perspective. We'll continue to look forward to our escape to paradise!

Hi StJohnTraveler , I will be there in less then a month too, when will be there?

Texasgal,

Oops...had my dates wrong. We will actually be there in about five weeks. I wish we were leaving tomorrow!!!

Don't even let it enter your mind. Come on down and you will have the vacation of a lifetime!

~Marty Fredericks

I just got back from 2 weeks in St. John/St. Thomas and I didn't see any racial tension.

Now, having said that, I like to remind people that the population is predominately of African descent. If you can deal with that, you'll be fine. The people are genuinely friendly and treat tourists well. In my opinion the only thing that I ever see that resembles racism comes from tourists from the mainland.

Thanks for your reassurance, John. The main concern was over reported tensions among residents/biz owners, not visitors vs. residents. We have had nothing but excellent experiences with the residents of STJ and are happy to hear that that has not changed.

This board is a wealth of information & has been such a great help in planning our trip back to STJ. Thanks!!!

The issues on STJ are not related to tourism or visitors.

The tension is very specifically enveloped in resident/resident problems and relates back to land, economic depression of native St. Johnians, development and natives being priced out of their own community. The issues have a long history and it seems to be coming to a head out of frustration due to lack of fair oversight and trust of authority (rightfully so). The police and gov't are a mess.

Although the issues appear racial, they really aren't. It's an economic issue. It just so happens that native islanders are mostly of African heritage and those they are facing in opposition (wealthy landowners, developers) are mostly white. Thus, there's an illusion of it being a race issue.

And, of course, there are idiots who decide to capitalize and use the opportunity to vent their unrelated racial venom or commit crimes under the guise of race. Top this with an ineffective police force and you have a recipe for confusion, a wild coconut telegraph rumor mill, lots of fear, dissent and general fealings of tension.

I believe the underlying issue is economic tension between natives and ex pats. Then there's the usual criminal element that is using this opportunity to smokescreen their actions. The biggest issue is the failure of the gov't and police to control the situation and calm unnecessary fears.

But, with all of this said, this is not related to tourists and isn't racial. I believe STJ will emerge a better place. Maybe now it can become a paradise to visitors and residents alike - not just visitors. Go and support the island you love and it's people. Take lots of love down with you and leave some behind.



^^^^BLUWATER^^^^

i am coming down in december NO MATTER WHAT...
nobody is going to stop me from enjoying my favorite view from secret harbour!

god bless

Thanks a lot BLUEWATER. That clears it up. Glad to hear it is between locals. Have these problems been resolved or are they unresolvable? Hope this doesn't spoil paradise. I think the most beautiful sights I have seen are when you are cruising into and out of the islands. It is unforgettable. Thanks again.

I have just returned from St. John after being there for 2 weeks. I was there during the fire, etc. but I am very certain the tension is between certain individuals, not Tourists. You probably won't hear anything about it unless you want to.
ENJOY!

I live in St. Thomas, USVI, they hack my web site and my search engine position on Google! I have contacted the FBI and the Department of Justice for 501 (c) 3 violations. Non-profit organizations that organize in the Virgin Islands to help Virgin Islanders and help only white people from the states. If you speak out they hack your web site and censor you in the newspaper. I wrote "Corruption In America's Paradise" 2 years ago. Business life was much better in Louisiana white people didn't seem to hate blacks, like they do here.

You are right about racism coming from the states. Americans must practice the same manners when they travel, as they use with their circle of friends. I have art exhibits downtown and tourist walk up to retailers and say "bathroom" or "ATM", this is rude. When this rude behavior occurs 3 to five times an hour, your attitude is infected.

There is a race war brewing in The Virgin Islands that could erupt at anytime. Black women are being raped and black families are having their homes burned. People I know are very angry and ready to do something about it.

I don't know where this person has been,but where I live the people on St. Thomas are planning lots of trips to St.John to help protect our native black brothers and sisters. Native St.John Residents have reported Jim Crow Signs on St.John and the "N" is used a lot. I have been called a "B" by white men trying to pass me in traffic and I'm from L.A. Racially speaking, things are very bad here. Life was better racially speaking in Louisiana.

Gee, Nanci, if I didn't know better, I'd say we are living on two different St. Thomas'. I have been here almost 8 years, and I haven't heard or seen anything like what you describe. I've never even heard the "N" word in 8 years! Sure, there is sometimes the slight discrimination of whites by blacks and vice versa, or sucking of the teeth, but, in my book, that is the discriminator's or sucker's problem. I've never let it bother me, personally. I certainly don't see any of the "race war" you mention. I guess we just turn in different circles.

~Marty Fredericks

Nancy,

What exactly are you protecting your black brothers and sisters from? On St. John a white-owned business and a white-owned car were burned. These are facts. All else is only innuendo until the authorities tell us otherwise. I live on St. John and have never heard the N word nor seen any blatant racism practiced. Our West Indian friends and neighbors are some of the most homorable people we know. We don't need people from St. Thomas and St. Croix coming over here to cause trouble. You sound like a very bitter person who is letting personal issues affect your judgement. If everybody would solve their personal problems on a personal level, rather than blaming some other factor, imagined or not, we will all be a lot better off.

Does anyone else smell a troll?