I ran across this picture this morning. It’s a racist depiction of when the United States purchased the then Danish West Indies for 25 million dollars in 1917. The three little savages represent St. Thomas, St. Croix, and St. John, which later became known as the United States Virgin Islands. They are walking away with President Wilson as the Danish man holds a bag of money and the mother cries over her loss.
White supremacy has long viewed blacks as inferior. The language has varied over the years: savages, monkeys, uncivilized, cursed, criminals, thugs, unqualified, the list goes on. Thanks to this white supremacist mindset, I used to have to convince people that I didn’t grow up swinging on a vine in a jungle. Neither did I spend all my days relaxing on a beach, dancing to reggae, and drinking coconuts saying, “Yeah, mon!” When I told people that we actually spent most of our days at work or school, sometimes the response I received was, “DUDE! ARE YOU SERIOUS!?!?” Not to mention the times I’ve had to tell people that I didn’t grow up smoking or selling ganja. I can still hear the voices: “Joe Main! Wheh dee ganja, bru-dah?” 🙄🤦🏾♂️
I praise God for parents, teachers, leaders, and pastors that continuously reminded us of our value and worth, even as young kids. There’s who man says you are and who God says you are. No matter how I’m viewed or treated, I know that I’m wonderful in the eyes of the one who created me to be. And my soul knows it very well. Happy USVI Emancipation Day!
