Angela Burns
Monday, October 10, 2011
Having lived in the Virgin Islands for the past 15 years, I think I am finally at the crossroads (yes it took me a while!) and have now decided that should God spare my life to see the next four years and I am still domiciled here, that I will, subject to the grant of status, be joining the electorate and helping to decide which group of people is put in charge of shaping the future of this Territory!
As with thousands of persons who were living in Montserrat in July 1995, I was displaced and forced to seek refuge in another country when I couldn't handle the uncertainty of the volcanic crisis. I fled to the Virgin Islands because an opportunity presented itself and it was close to home (I seriously harboured the intention of returning home after about two years, when in my mind the volcano would return to dormancy). So here, I again extend much gratitude to the Ralph T. O'Neal Government in the Virgin Islands for rolling out the welcome mat for my family and others from Montserrat.
Over the years I have lived here, working as a media professional in radio, newspaper, television, online and public relations and marketing, I have had the distinct and unique opportunity and pleasure of interacting with a wide cross section of people. I have learnt so many things that I feel I have graduated from University!
Among the salient lessons I have learned, is that I have an important role to play in helping to shape the political landscape of my country or the country that has accepted me as a resident.
I must confess that in all of my years, I remember voting only once and the name Auk comes to mind! I have however been in a position to monitor multiple elections closely enough to analyze (in my own way) trends around voter apathy, party politics and then about government and opposition 'in power'.
I am not entirely sure that there is a scientific method to help one determine whether they should be sufficiently moved at all opportunities to cast a ballot, whether they should vote for personality or party, vote on principles or out of passion or relationship, or whether to be at all concerned about the process of General Elections.
I have lost out on the opportunity to vote in Montserrat's too many elections since I have been away from home. But that could be a good thing, as I still struggle to decide whether I support the argument that if you don't live there, you shouldn't be able to influence who governs there.
Be that as it may, I also have not been able to vote in the Virgin Islands. I have not yet applied for the privilege of doing so. That may be a decision I am totally regretting now, as for the fourth time I am about to witness the process in the Virgin Islands as a mere bystander. I regret this more every moment I speak to an eligible voter who has vowed not to vote or is confused about who they should give their 'x'. I fail to understand why people don't understand that taking an active part in helping to decide which government runs the country is crucial to their survival.
One should not be daunted by the proliferation of political parties and independent candidates that emerge in the weeks prior to an election, focusing too much on lambasting their opponents while trying to convince you that their platform is the most viable. In fact, record of achievements, whether in politics or professional life, should be pivotal in helping to ascertain how an elected official would operate. Again, this is not scientific, but if people would vote not for hand-outs, but rather based on an analysis of the current and hoped-for socio-economic and geo-political state of affairs, I am confident that most (not all) will be well.
That being said, the incumbent Virgin Islands Party is facing opposition from the National Democratic Party, the United Party, People's Patriotic Alliance and Party of the People and several individual candidates running in various districts and at large.
Nomination Day is set for October 24 and Polling Day is November 7.
For the good of the Virgin Islands, may everyone who can vote, vote and may the best 'group' win and guide this Territory positively forward!
Photo Credit To AAA-Calif
Angela Burns is a media professional who has worked in her native Montserrat, Jamaica and the Virgin Islands for Radio Antilles, CANA, AP, BBC, IRIE FM and the Virgin Islands Daily News, among others.
