US Politics in the BVI

(I never thought this sailing adventure would lead me to write the following, but here goes:)

One unintended consequence of the damaged keel has been the need to travel back and forth across the island to meet people who will help us in the replacement work.  We’ve taken bus and taxi rides.  The other day, I was traveling in a taxi with two other riders.  One of them asked where I was from and I replied the United States and immediately the conversation went to Donald Trump.  “How can you possibly elect this person?” came the question.  I said, “Look, I’m a Democrat, and I agree.  I think Mr. Trump is someone who shoots first and aims second.”  Suddenly, I was in the midst of a firestorm of criticism about our political process falling apart.  We all were friendly enough, but the emotions were intense.  (I suspect these folks don’t have this kind of conversation very much.  I suspect that most of the boat charterers are more Republican, and that most of the boat cruisers are more Democrat.)

That got me to thinking.  This is not the first time this conversation has happened.  It’s happening a lot to me.  I’ve yet to meet a BVI native (Belonger), or a Caribbean nation worker here, who thinks Donald Trump would be a good President for the United States or the rest of the world.  They are repeatedly shocked that he is receiving the support he does.  Not one person.

Their criticisms are many.  These are informed people from another nation watching the political process in the US unfold and conceivably move into disarray.  God help us if the post-election legal battles over the latest version of  “hanging chads” should delay the announcement of a result. 

In addition to the criticisms of fear-mongering, this man’s vision to make America “great” again is by pandering to the emotions of anger and bitterness and racism and hatred.  Keep the Muslims out.  Build a wall.  From an international point of view, you can understand how becoming great by isolating ourselves from other nations and people-groups is offensive.   And, impossible to defend.

So, God opens doors, sometimes through the Church.  The BVI is in a season of three Monday national holidays in a row.  Earlier this week (Monday, March 14), was one of them and the Methodist pastors on the island gathered for a wonderful dinner (mid-day) at the manse of the Road Town Methodist Church.  Our new friends, Helen and Jeanty, invited us to come along.

It was a smallish crowd, because there are only nine Methodist churches in the BVI and four of them are pastored by Helen and Jeanty.  Among the folks, however, was the recently retired (2015) Premier of the British Virgin Islands, Ralph O’Neal.  He is the “longest ever serving representative of the BVI” (Wikipedia). 

Also present was Andrew St. Hilaire, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Communications and Works  (this government department is responsible for the infrastructure of the island – sewage, water supply, electricity, public roads, taxis and buses and ferries and drivers licenses, oversight of the internet providers, the ports and cargo facilities (the harbors and the airports), building permits, installation of emergency generators. phone bills, and “blasting caps licenses.” (Dept. web site).  Andrew was present because he is also one of the two financial secretaries for the Methodist district, receiving the checks and distributing the funds.  And he has commuted by ferry from the island of Virgin Gorda every day for twenty years to do this work.  (I don’t think I’ll ever complain about my old Executive Presbyter Position Descriptions and commuting woes again.)

Andrew brings energy, enthusiasm and hope to his work.  He talks about how the government is expanding its telecommunication services so that one of these days, “checking in and checking out” of the BVI will be as simple as in the US Virgin Islands. 

Mr. O’Neal brings wisdom and vision.  He went into government service in 1975 and stayed there until 2015 – forty years (actually 39 years, 280 days J).  And in his post as Premier (formerly called Chief Minister), his job was to cast vision for the BVI’s future.  He’s the one who oversaw the relationship with the Moorings Charter Company, from 6 boats in the 1970’s to the largest charter company base in the world, with hundreds of boats today and many hundreds of employees.  He’s the one who oversaw the establishment of the “full-service” resorts, beginning with the Little Dix Bay Resort on Virgin Gorda, developed by the Rockefeller family.  And he’s the one who set in motion the dream of the new cruise ship dock in Road Town (recently opened).  We talked about unemployment and the shifting of tourism, as more resorts are closing and more cruise ships are arriving.   I was amazed at his sharp mind and entrepreneureal background (he studied economics at Oxford University and owns several land-development businesses).

And I was awed at the huge responsibility of leading an island nation as a work in progress.  No one is elected ten times (three to the position of Premier) unless he or she knows how to cast vision in inviting and positive ways, and clearly wants the best for all of the people.  I saw in him wisdom and civility and left the day energized, and …saddened.

We all talked again about Donald Trump.  That’s what people think of these days when they think of the United States.  While the words were more polite than in the taxi, the message was the same.  “I can’t imagine the US electing someone like him.”  And the smiles reflected the dissonance (as I suspect many dismissed Mr. Trump’s candidacy at first - surely it couldn’t happen).  Here is seen as an entertainer who has used the concept of “real” to cast unrealistic dreams and images of success on television.  Here is perceived as a self-centered person – not a politician – who associates greatness with individual achievement and not the common good.  The recent incidents of violence at Trump rallies has left a scar here.

From the porch of the Road Town manse, the view of the small city and harbor were stunning.   Even as the BVI wrestles with all the development issues of an island nation, I saw the streets and buildings in a new light.  I looked out and imagined how one builds a nation, and a life: 

…With positive, constructive, hopeful words, civility towards those who disagree, perseverance and I suspect a trust that all things are in even greater hands than one’s own.

I’m ever more grateful for this time here – this “adventure”.  And it’s not just for the sailing, and a church community, but for the opportunities to meet people who love and lead this land – from taxi drivers to retired Premiers and government workers.

 

At the Manse of the Road Town Methodist Church
Pastor is Rev. Franklin Manners (lime green shirt)

Mr. Ralph O'Neal, former Premier of the BVI (retired 2015)

Road Town, Tortola, BVI:
Looking east toward the Moorings Charter Base - largest in the world

Looking north and east into the business district 

Looking south and east to the harbor and new cruise ship dock extending into the water

 Fair winds and calm seas, friends

Dave