Former Resident Saddened

Letter to the Editor,

I have been “off island” for the last year while my mom has been battling lung cancer. The reason I am writing is I am so saddened by the state of affairs on St. John.

When I was a resident from Aug 2003 to May 2005 I knew that there were racial issues. I even supported the dialogue on race relations that Khalil Osiris and Beulah Dalmida Smith has started.

I have always felt at home on St. John and have missed it terribly. I just do not understand what is going on and why it all has to fall to race.

First it was about someone’s financial status, then if they were a native or not and now it is about the color of your skin.

We are all God’s people and we all exist I hope for the same reason to care for each other and to educate our children to be the most respectful and well mannered and genuine people they can be.

It does not matter how much money you have or the color of your skin or if you were born on St. John or not.

I will say that the W. Indian culture by far is the most respectful and genuine and family oriented I have ever met.

Right now I am reeling from all of this, it like a dam has broken and all the pain and anger that has been held back is rushing like the river to the sea.

Please people of St. John find a way to get back to accepting peoples differences and embracing change and standing up for what you believe in but in a respectful manner.

I plan to come back to St. John because it is the only place I feel that it did not matter any mistakes I made I could just be.

Honestly, all I can think of is how Bully must be feeling in heaven knowing that the place he called home all his life has come to this.

Rosi Perkins