Dear Source:
It is with no surprise that I am reading the disappointment evident in the letters to the Source regarding the happenings, or lack thereof, within the Constitutional Convention.
First: Let me make it very clear that I love the Virgin Islands. So very many aspects of the Islands, the people, and the culture, will remain dear to my heart for the rest of this life. However, it is no longer my home, after having lived there almost two decades. That makes me sad.
What saddens me, even more so, is the fact that I chose to leave rather than have the love and adoration ripped from me by a mounting disgust and disappointment that was becoming more and more powerful. Disgust and disappointment over rampant mismanagement, chronic corruption and terminal, widespread apathy. Disappointment that social and distant-familial-connections and "status" held more importance than doing what was right, and in the greater good of the islands and the people. Disappointment and disgust from those that do nothing, other than grandstanding, riding on the coat-tails and hard work of those diligently persevering behind the scenes.
Disappointment and disgust that would rise up every time I would see someone try to move positively within the community and be battered down by the rampant bull-++++ that has become accepted as the norm. Disappointment and disgust that would come with each positive, progressive, professional effort being shot down by those that wouldn't, or couldn't, bring the same to the proverbial table.
The Virgin Islands are potential gems. There are so many concerned Virgin Islanders wanting a change for the better. Yet, they are downtrodden by those that are ruled by negativity, jealousy, and straight up wickedness. There are too many that feel that if some effort is not their idea, their initiative, or an opportunity to bring them personal gain, then it must be stopped! Or, discredited. Or, publicly spat upon! Crabs in a barrel syndrome? When is it going to occur to the good people of the VI that it doesn't have to be this way? When is it going to occur to the good people of the VI that these infamous individuals that are lifelong bearers of hate, dissention and negative propaganda, are outnumbered and can be stopped? When is it going to occur to the good people of the VI that enough is enough?
Enough waste. Enough corruption. Enough hatred. Enough apathy!
There is every opportunity to make the VI a paradise, indeed. All of the necessary ingredients are in place. It is going to take a movement of the positive to slay all of the negativity. It is going to take a collective movement of those that don't fear calling a jack-ass a jack-ass. Wrong is wrong–no matter who's cousin it is, who's neighbor it is, who's mother's aunt's father's girlfriend's brother is the culprit.
Stop accepting less than is right. Less than you deserve. Less than you've worked hard for. Paradise is in jeopardy. That, my friends, is a shame.
Leigh Miller
Sarasota, Florida
Editor's note: We welcome and encourage readers to keep the dialogue going by responding to Source commentary. Letters should be e-mailed with name and place of residence to source@viaccess.net.
