I have a question to ask. If someone were to ask you about your cultural background, exactly how would you explain it? Sometimes, our cultural backgrounds can be a very complicate thing to explain. For someone like me, it could possibly get very messy. As a native of St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, it is something that has essentially defined my life. Growing up in a United States territory in the middle of the Caribbean has more than likely exposed me to things that I may never have experienced in any other place on earth.
For those who may not be aware, my home island, as part of the US Virgin Islands has been a part of the United States of America since March 31, 1917. We have been United States citizens since February 25, 1927. This technically qualifies us as “American”. However, because we are located in the Caribbean Sea, we are distinctively Caribbean. We even have one commercial advertisement that bills the United States Virgin Islands as “Americas’ Paradise”. We’ve always seen ourselves as West Indians first, but under other circumstances, we are American.
A facebook user decries US Virgin Islanders as “American”. Source: twitter.com
A few month ago, I came across a posting on social media that decried that we were not Caribbean, but solely American. It is completely impossible for us to be both? We wear both hats with pride quite often. For example, local Virgin Island governments and education is modeled heavily on that of the Unite States. We elect our own governor and senators and send a delegate to the United States Congress. In line with many other Caribbean Islands, when we hear its Carnival time, it’s time to party, drink, dance and blast soca and reggae to insane levels. We will fill the streets on J’ouvert morning.
An aerial view of revelers during St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands J’ouvert 2014. Source, Instagram user jessicaarose
I can turn on the radio back home, and hear almost everything. many styles, including Bouyon, Soca, Calypso, Hip-Hop, Reggae, Dancehall, Reggaeton, Pop and even Country to a degree. Sometimes, the United States influences our local music scene when local artists remix and modify current hits to fit our own unique style. my identity as an American, but still as a Virgin Islander, is something that is very unique, and I celebrate it every day.
Jamal A. Potter is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Originally from St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands. He now resides in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Interesting. Although the same scenario applies to Puerto Ricans. They are American but they see themselves mostly as Puerto Ricans because they have a rich history and culture they want to hold on to. I guess the same applies to USVI prior to 1917 your history and culture wasn’t much different from the rest of the Caribbean.