Oct. 8, 2006 — A birthday celebration honoring Sherett James in Emancipation Garden Sunday evening proved bittersweet for friends and family members, mixing joyous celebrations of her life with sadness and outrage over the way she died.
While there was lots of laughter, singing and even boxes of cake, there were also tears and passionate speeches from individuals rallying against the spread of domestic violence in society and speaking out against the V.I. Police Department.
James, who would have turned 23 on Sunday, was killed on March 25. Police Detective Joel Dowyde has been charged with the crime, and will be tried at the end of February. (See "Murder Trial of VIPD Detective Postponed Until February").
Many family members attending Sunday evening's event said the incident was still fresh in their minds.
"It seemed like it just happened yesterday," said Caroley Brunn, James' mother. "And I'm still so sad. I have a lot of sadness in me, and I'm still angry. That this crime was committed by a police officer, someone who is supposed to be protecting us, is even more disturbing. But I wanted to do this tonight so everybody could be aware of what's happening — that this could have been anybody's mother, daughter or sister."
The idea of crimes perpetrated by police officers and the spread of violence within the community engendered much discussion throughout the evening.
"Crime, violence, corruption and guns are things that surround us in the Virgin Islands every year," Monifa Potter, a friend of James, told the nearly 60 people in attendance. "And nothing is happening. Instead, this paradise is full of selfish, cold-hearted people who give justification for why this happened."
Potter targeted her anger at the local law-enforcement community.
"I really, really hate that person who took Sherett away from us," she said. "And I think that the entire police force … should be investigated. Everyone deserves a chance at life until God calls them, not until man calls them."
While Potter wiped away tears, she turned her comments to James, describing her as a person who was "full of life because she enjoyed life."
"Happy Birthday, Sherett," she said. "I wish I was saying this under better circumstances, and I wish that we had gotten to do everything you had wanted to do for your birthday."
Echoing Potters' words, Sherry Stapleton, a member of James' Carnival troupe, said that society has to "take a stand" against violence — especially incidences of domestic violence committed against women.
Louis Sylvester, James' former chemistry teacher at Charlotte Amalie High School, suggested that community members, churches and schools also spread more spiritual ideals, including the need for one to "treat others as you would like to be treated."
Society today is "experiencing a spiritual meltdown" characterized by unhealthy relationships and a degrading attitude toward both men and women, Sylvester said.
"If we teach in the schools, in the streets and on television that we must treat others as we ourselves would like to be treated, and if we love others as we love ourselves, then we will begin to see a change," he said.
Sylvester, like many other speakers on Sunday, also offered his memories of James, and described her as a "very bright student — one who would definitely excel in college."
"I had a very high opinion of her, and knew that she was on her way to having a very promising life," Sylvester said.
Others in the crowd, all wearing bright white T-shirts emblazoned with James' picture, also characterized James as "bubbly" and "enigmatic," with a "warm and luminous smile."
"A smile like that shows us joy, shows us life, shows us peace," said Lisa Smith Jones, James' cousin. "A smile like that will never end — thats how we know that she's still with us."
The evening finished with a candlelight vigil in honor of James, along with a song — "Happy Birthday" — and a toast to her "life and spirit."
"She was wonderful," said Monica Williams Carbon, James' aunt. "And we will continue to miss her and love her every day."
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