Lunch and a Movie at the Humanities
By Amber Knight
“Songs Around the World,” a film by the group Playing For Change, was the feature presentation of the Humanities Department’s first “Lunch Hour Film Festival”, held last week Thursday at noon in room 200 of the Humanities building.
This film was chosen by Mary Alexander, the administrative assistant for the Humanities Department. Alexander could not resist the “urge to share” after discovering the film and the group through YouTube and late night television, Alexander siad.
Experiences like these are what led Alexander to create the Lunch Hour Film Festival. “I have been thinking of doing this for some time now,” Alexander said. She will be showing films with a humanitarian focus, on the last Thursday of every month to any one on the St. Thomas campus who is attracted to interesting films that are not always shown at the Market Square Theater.
The people in attendance last Thursday enjoyed their lunch as they were taken to 22 different countries around the world. Street and professional musicians contributed their talents for one mission. Their mission is to inspirer each other and come together as a human race through music. These musicians have never meet, yet there voices and instruments are united for twenty minutes as they playing five universally known songs.
Some of the upcoming films include “Short cut to Nirvana” which portrays the Kumbh Mela, a spiritual festival in India that more than 70 million pilgrims attend every twelve years, and “Rivers and Tides” about Andy Goldsworthy, an artist whose specialty is ephemeral sculptures made from elements of nature according to the IMDb website
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Tourists Hold on to their Pennies: What Happened to the BIG Spenders?
by Louise Mitchell
“NO DISCOUNT?” is the cry of many tourists as they browse through different stores on the tourist based streets of St. Thomas. They spot a lovely ray of unique souvenirs, the prices, however, attached to those eye-catching items are not as attractive to their “empty” pockets. Whatever happened to the tourists who would buy tee-shirts from welcoming vendors who sold them, 3 for $10.00? In addition, even a unique sea shell design belt for $15.00, is too much for budgeting tourists. They would rather spend $15.00 in a local restaurant, like Cuzzins on the back road of Main Street. Seems like they come out to eat and enjoy the weather, forget souvenirs!
This limited spending behavior is having a great impact on the Virgin Islands yearly revenue.
Charmaine Thomas who has been working in the tourism industry for the past ten years said, “The way tourists spend nowadays is not quite the same way they use to spend before…everyone is looking for a bargain.”
Mrs. Thomas and many other vendors, who own a tent by the water front on Vendors Plaza, are suffering from the effects of tourists spending less money on tee-shirts, jewelry, and attractive art sculptures. Some tourists tend to compare the currency rate of the other islands that they visited in the Caribbean before the United States Virgin Islands. Then they figure that the prices on those other islands are much cheaper. However, those tourists fail to realize that an island like St. Martin, for example, is a Freeport, which means that some taxes are exempted when products are imported. Unfortunately, taxes must be paid in the USVI.
In addition, tourists this year are walking in the blazing sun with fewer bags in their hands compared to at least two years ago.
Although some restaurants are doing ok with their businesses, Jennifer Berry who is the manager at Jane’s Café and Deli Shop has had a moderate flow of tourists this year. On the other hand, she has also been feeling the effects of the decreasing big spenders. As a result, Mrs. Berry said, she had to let four employees go due to this effect. In addition, this impact has thwarted Mrs. Berry’s ability to keep up with utility expenses, and increasing costs of running a business in the USVI.
“We have no EDC funding… the cost of running a business in the US Virgin Islands has increased, while the flow of income has declined,” calmly expressed by Mrs. Berry.
Tourism is the main source of economic movement in the United States Virgin Islands, especially in St. Thomas. It accounts for 80% of GDP and employment, according to an online Business Opportunity Report. St. Croix’s main source comes from having one of the largest petroleum refineries in the world. However, St. Croix contributes about 12 percent to the GDP. St. John feeds off of the tourists who visit St. Thomas, but it is well known as being a honeymoon sight.
So is the United States deflation having an impact on the USVI economy?
The Department of Tourism commissioner, Beverly Nicholson-Doty says yes, in a luncheon meeting she held last year with Hotel executives and Governor John Dejongh’s financial team. According to St. Thomas source online newspaper, Mrs. Nicholson-Doty said, “the U.S. economic recession has finally hit the Virgin Islands, causing a projected $43.5 million drop in government revenues… forcing the need for "well-timed" economic policies and initiatives, including strong tourism-marketing campaigns.” Mrs. Nicholson-Doty expressed great concern about the decline in tourists traveling via air, which the percentage of travelers dropped by 2.9 percent in September of last year. She is, therefore, targeting flight services in order for there to be more incentives offered to “attract visitors with strapped pocketbooks.”, she states. Other ideas include a travel –agent- training program. People who complete this program will be rewarded after selling the required amount promotions offered in the territory to bring in more tourists. In addition, the source article states that the commissioner also announced the 24- hour answering service for tourists to call regarding information about the United States Virgin Islands.
Nine years in the tourist business, Tony who is the manager of Havensight Royal Caribbean, one of the largest stores specializing in watches, jewelry and cameras, suffers from the economic hardship. Tony said, “The ships are coming in, but there are more onlookers.” Most of the tourists browse through each store and become drawn away from attractive items because of the “unbelievable” prices. Tony disappointedly said, “The economy is weak, therefore, people don’t want to spend the money.”
Hotel occupancy numbers on St. Thomas and St. John also dropped off, with a 48.6 percent occupancy rate - down 11 percent from the October 2007 rate, says the Bureau of Economic Research. In addition, big hotels like the Marriot, and the Wyndham Sugar Bay and Spa Resort are suffering from a decline of tourist bookings. Both hotels have had to lay off hundreds of employees due to the drastic drop in guests booking hotel rooms. An article in the VI Daily Newspaper says that hotel room revenues have dropped in November of 2008. Last November, a total of $580,205 in revenues was collected, which is $104,040 less than in 2007. According to an anonymous Marriot hotel employee, people are being laid off from left to right because of the decreasing flow of guests. Hotel managers are keeping a close eye on employees who are careless on their job, and also employees who disregard company policies. Those employees make themselves an easy target to either getting laid off or even fired. The result, more and more people are looking for other jobs, which is not easy to find in the territory presently. Statistics show in an online Business Opportunity Report, that the estimated rate of people unemployed in St. Thomas was 5.9 percent in 2007. Considering the hundreds of people who have lost their jobs this year so far, that rate has obviously increased.
October and November are the leading months of the year for tourism to increase in the Virgin Islands, however, statistics from an article in the Virgin Islands Daily Newspaper show how much the number of visitors to the territory traveling by cruise ships and by aircrafts, has drastically dropped. Comparisons were made of the leading months from 2007 to 2008.
“October saw 39.4 percent fewer visitors in the territory - the largest tumble in visitor arrivals so far in 2008. November's arrivals also did not meet the 2007 mark but were not quite as lacking as October's figures. The visitors in November were down 14.6 percent from a year before…” according to the VI Daily newspaper.
The VI Daily newspaper also reports that 51,681 fewer visitors were brought to the territory on those 28 cruise ships in contrast to the 48 ships that came a year earlier.
St. Thomas also saw 60 cruise ships in November of 2008, which were 16 less than in 2007. Those cruise ships brought 155,791 people to St. Thomas in November, down 16.2 percent from the 185,857 passengers who arrived by ship in 2007.
Sources from the Daily Newspaper also note that air arrivals have declined. In October 2008, 19,861 people flew to St. Thomas. However, 2007 brought 13,869 more people, which mean in October 2008, 41.1 percent fewer people landed on St. Thomas.
The neighboring island of St. Croix had a huge decline in air arrivals in October. A total of 6,211 people flew to St. Croix in 2008, which is 26.6 percent less than the previous year. St. Croix also had 9,561 visitors arrive in November of 2008, which are 821 fewer than in 2007.
Furthermore, the article states that air arrivals were down about 10 percent at each airport. On St. Thomas, 37,853 visitors landed at the airport in November - 4,358 fewer than in 2007. In turn, hotel occupancy was down 13 percent in St. Thomas and St. John in November - 57.2 percent, as compared to the 70.2 occupancy rate in 2007.
“Robbing Peter to pay Paul,” is how Mrs. Berry describes the hustle of those in the tourism industry. From “back to the ship!” taxi drivers to dazzling diamond co-operations, everyone is trying to scrape pennies together to keep up with the Virgin Islands’ high cost of living. Therefore, the unemployment rate is flooding the labor department because of laid off workers. So what are some other alternatives if tourism in the United States Virgin Islands continues to plunge downhill?
“I’ll go back to the mainland.” said the manager of Royal Caribbean in Havensight. However, working for 20 plus years as a tour guide, Jose said “I hope for better”. In addition, Mrs. Nicholson-Doty hopes to develop an increase in the flow of air arrivals. Therefore, targeting traveling agencies is her main goal to increase the VI’s pertinent source of revenue. The only positive outlook for the Virgin Islands economic growth is to be optimistic that tourists will bring back the revenue there was two years ago.
“NO DISCOUNT?” is the cry of many tourists as they browse through different stores on the tourist based streets of St. Thomas. They spot a lovely ray of unique souvenirs, the prices, however, attached to those eye-catching items are not as attractive to their “empty” pockets. Whatever happened to the tourists who would buy tee-shirts from welcoming vendors who sold them, 3 for $10.00? In addition, even a unique sea shell design belt for $15.00, is too much for budgeting tourists. They would rather spend $15.00 in a local restaurant, like Cuzzins on the back road of Main Street. Seems like they come out to eat and enjoy the weather, forget souvenirs!
This limited spending behavior is having a great impact on the Virgin Islands yearly revenue.
Charmaine Thomas who has been working in the tourism industry for the past ten years said, “The way tourists spend nowadays is not quite the same way they use to spend before…everyone is looking for a bargain.”
Mrs. Thomas and many other vendors, who own a tent by the water front on Vendors Plaza, are suffering from the effects of tourists spending less money on tee-shirts, jewelry, and attractive art sculptures. Some tourists tend to compare the currency rate of the other islands that they visited in the Caribbean before the United States Virgin Islands. Then they figure that the prices on those other islands are much cheaper. However, those tourists fail to realize that an island like St. Martin, for example, is a Freeport, which means that some taxes are exempted when products are imported. Unfortunately, taxes must be paid in the USVI.
In addition, tourists this year are walking in the blazing sun with fewer bags in their hands compared to at least two years ago.
Although some restaurants are doing ok with their businesses, Jennifer Berry who is the manager at Jane’s Café and Deli Shop has had a moderate flow of tourists this year. On the other hand, she has also been feeling the effects of the decreasing big spenders. As a result, Mrs. Berry said, she had to let four employees go due to this effect. In addition, this impact has thwarted Mrs. Berry’s ability to keep up with utility expenses, and increasing costs of running a business in the USVI.
“We have no EDC funding… the cost of running a business in the US Virgin Islands has increased, while the flow of income has declined,” calmly expressed by Mrs. Berry.
Tourism is the main source of economic movement in the United States Virgin Islands, especially in St. Thomas. It accounts for 80% of GDP and employment, according to an online Business Opportunity Report. St. Croix’s main source comes from having one of the largest petroleum refineries in the world. However, St. Croix contributes about 12 percent to the GDP. St. John feeds off of the tourists who visit St. Thomas, but it is well known as being a honeymoon sight.
So is the United States deflation having an impact on the USVI economy?
The Department of Tourism commissioner, Beverly Nicholson-Doty says yes, in a luncheon meeting she held last year with Hotel executives and Governor John Dejongh’s financial team. According to St. Thomas source online newspaper, Mrs. Nicholson-Doty said, “the U.S. economic recession has finally hit the Virgin Islands, causing a projected $43.5 million drop in government revenues… forcing the need for "well-timed" economic policies and initiatives, including strong tourism-marketing campaigns.” Mrs. Nicholson-Doty expressed great concern about the decline in tourists traveling via air, which the percentage of travelers dropped by 2.9 percent in September of last year. She is, therefore, targeting flight services in order for there to be more incentives offered to “attract visitors with strapped pocketbooks.”, she states. Other ideas include a travel –agent- training program. People who complete this program will be rewarded after selling the required amount promotions offered in the territory to bring in more tourists. In addition, the source article states that the commissioner also announced the 24- hour answering service for tourists to call regarding information about the United States Virgin Islands.
Nine years in the tourist business, Tony who is the manager of Havensight Royal Caribbean, one of the largest stores specializing in watches, jewelry and cameras, suffers from the economic hardship. Tony said, “The ships are coming in, but there are more onlookers.” Most of the tourists browse through each store and become drawn away from attractive items because of the “unbelievable” prices. Tony disappointedly said, “The economy is weak, therefore, people don’t want to spend the money.”
Hotel occupancy numbers on St. Thomas and St. John also dropped off, with a 48.6 percent occupancy rate - down 11 percent from the October 2007 rate, says the Bureau of Economic Research. In addition, big hotels like the Marriot, and the Wyndham Sugar Bay and Spa Resort are suffering from a decline of tourist bookings. Both hotels have had to lay off hundreds of employees due to the drastic drop in guests booking hotel rooms. An article in the VI Daily Newspaper says that hotel room revenues have dropped in November of 2008. Last November, a total of $580,205 in revenues was collected, which is $104,040 less than in 2007. According to an anonymous Marriot hotel employee, people are being laid off from left to right because of the decreasing flow of guests. Hotel managers are keeping a close eye on employees who are careless on their job, and also employees who disregard company policies. Those employees make themselves an easy target to either getting laid off or even fired. The result, more and more people are looking for other jobs, which is not easy to find in the territory presently. Statistics show in an online Business Opportunity Report, that the estimated rate of people unemployed in St. Thomas was 5.9 percent in 2007. Considering the hundreds of people who have lost their jobs this year so far, that rate has obviously increased.
October and November are the leading months of the year for tourism to increase in the Virgin Islands, however, statistics from an article in the Virgin Islands Daily Newspaper show how much the number of visitors to the territory traveling by cruise ships and by aircrafts, has drastically dropped. Comparisons were made of the leading months from 2007 to 2008.
“October saw 39.4 percent fewer visitors in the territory - the largest tumble in visitor arrivals so far in 2008. November's arrivals also did not meet the 2007 mark but were not quite as lacking as October's figures. The visitors in November were down 14.6 percent from a year before…” according to the VI Daily newspaper.
The VI Daily newspaper also reports that 51,681 fewer visitors were brought to the territory on those 28 cruise ships in contrast to the 48 ships that came a year earlier.
St. Thomas also saw 60 cruise ships in November of 2008, which were 16 less than in 2007. Those cruise ships brought 155,791 people to St. Thomas in November, down 16.2 percent from the 185,857 passengers who arrived by ship in 2007.
Sources from the Daily Newspaper also note that air arrivals have declined. In October 2008, 19,861 people flew to St. Thomas. However, 2007 brought 13,869 more people, which mean in October 2008, 41.1 percent fewer people landed on St. Thomas.
The neighboring island of St. Croix had a huge decline in air arrivals in October. A total of 6,211 people flew to St. Croix in 2008, which is 26.6 percent less than the previous year. St. Croix also had 9,561 visitors arrive in November of 2008, which are 821 fewer than in 2007.
Furthermore, the article states that air arrivals were down about 10 percent at each airport. On St. Thomas, 37,853 visitors landed at the airport in November - 4,358 fewer than in 2007. In turn, hotel occupancy was down 13 percent in St. Thomas and St. John in November - 57.2 percent, as compared to the 70.2 occupancy rate in 2007.
“Robbing Peter to pay Paul,” is how Mrs. Berry describes the hustle of those in the tourism industry. From “back to the ship!” taxi drivers to dazzling diamond co-operations, everyone is trying to scrape pennies together to keep up with the Virgin Islands’ high cost of living. Therefore, the unemployment rate is flooding the labor department because of laid off workers. So what are some other alternatives if tourism in the United States Virgin Islands continues to plunge downhill?
“I’ll go back to the mainland.” said the manager of Royal Caribbean in Havensight. However, working for 20 plus years as a tour guide, Jose said “I hope for better”. In addition, Mrs. Nicholson-Doty hopes to develop an increase in the flow of air arrivals. Therefore, targeting traveling agencies is her main goal to increase the VI’s pertinent source of revenue. The only positive outlook for the Virgin Islands economic growth is to be optimistic that tourists will bring back the revenue there was two years ago.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Dr. Doris Battiste – The all rounder
By Jáedee S.K. Caines
While many talk about the recent incidents of crime in the Virgin Islands territory, one hardworking and community-driven Virgin Islander recalls the early 1990s when crime in the VI seemed like a new discovery. She used those incidents as a foundation to help construct one of the most recognized awareness programs at any Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
Dr. Doris Battiste is that person.
She is currently employed by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) as the Associate Campus Administrator, a title equivalent to Dean of Students at other universities. She also holds the post of Administrator of the Substance Abuse, HIV and Hepatitis Prevention Program: a title that has given her much recognition as a woman focused on empowering youth.
Dr. Battiste believes that through involvement in this program, she has had a bright and prosperous career. “I have always had an interest in helping the less advantaged students and I always try to find creative and innovative ways to help students grow and develop,” she said.
After returning to the VI in 1992, following her post graduate studies at Howard University and George Washington University, she was asked to head the drug prevention program that the university had recently received a grant to fund. Since then, Dr. Battiste has spread her wings over a number of other organizations and groups.
She started a volunteer mentoring program with the Michael J. Kerwin Elementary School where UVI students served as mentors to those at the elementary school. This interactive program fostered teamwork, leadership, caring and friendship building and led to the program receiving heavy recommendations from the community.
Dr. Battiste was also instrumental in the functioning of the Family Life Center for Violence Prevention which was an integral part of the university for six years. This program had a very similar concept to the volunteer mentoring program but was located at UVI. To date, some of the students who participated in the program gained employment as teachers of elementary school children.
It was in the year 2005 that she started the Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Program, also known as the Student Peer Educators program (SPE). The name changed in 2007 to include Hepatitis education as another explored avenue. The program, which was funded by a federal grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMSA) has evolved into a dynamic mentoring initiative for the students of UVI by the students of UVI.
The program, which has become very popular on both UVI campuses, has a present role of 29 active Student Peer Educators (SPE): 11 on St. Croix and 18 on St. Thomas.
For Senior Biology student, Cliaunjel Williams, life in the workplace would not be the same without the presence of Dr. Battiste. “I met Dr. Battiste through Student Housing events and through the Student Peer Health Program. I have known her for three years. She encourages me to take advantage of all that UVI has to offer,” Williams said.
As she prepared herself to talk about her student peer educators, Dr. Battiste leaned back in the “semi-rocking chair,” folded her arms and smiled as she said, “My whole life has to be around young people to try and help them, to understand some values that were passed on to me.”
Despite her busy schedule, Dr. Battiste always seems to find the time to assist students with their concerns. Her job as program administrator entails organizing training sessions, providing work plans, interviewing SPEs and providing reports to the federal organization, but her job as Associate Campus Administrator charges her with the responsibility of overseeing the entire Student Affairs component. She credits much of her success to her team at Student Affairs. “My job is sometimes tough. It means long nights but I have a very capable and dedicated staff that manages their units well and makes my job easier,” Battiste said.
Student Peer Educator and junior Biology major, Cherissre Boateng was thrilled to talk about Dr. Battiste’s impact on her life. “I work closely with her. I have known Dr. Battiste for approximately three3 years now. Dr. Battiste is a very professional, outstanding, phenomenal woman who takes her career very seriously. Dr. Battiste motivates me to work hard, work for what I want and always go the extra mile.”
Realizing that she has impacted the lives of her students and possibly others, Dr. Battiste says that only happens because she genuinely cares about what she does. “I always give my all, even if money isn’t involved. That’s just me, very passionate.” She added that the people she chooses
to surround herself with also help to motivate her. “I like to be around people who love to work smarter not necessarily harder.”
Dr. Battiste continues to remain focused on educating students about substance abuse, HIV and Hepatitis. While she wants students to be equally educated about the different topics that the student peer educators explore, the greatest awareness seems to be in Hepatitis. Because students have to complete pre and post tests about the different presentation topics, Dr. Battiste and her team are able to monitor the knowledge received by students.
With a Masters in Guidance Counseling and a Doctorate in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Development under her belt, Dr. Doris Battiste continues to make her contribution to the VI community by facilitating programs geared towards educating youth about potential harmful issues around them.
While many talk about the recent incidents of crime in the Virgin Islands territory, one hardworking and community-driven Virgin Islander recalls the early 1990s when crime in the VI seemed like a new discovery. She used those incidents as a foundation to help construct one of the most recognized awareness programs at any Historically Black College and University (HBCU).
Dr. Doris Battiste is that person.
She is currently employed by the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) as the Associate Campus Administrator, a title equivalent to Dean of Students at other universities. She also holds the post of Administrator of the Substance Abuse, HIV and Hepatitis Prevention Program: a title that has given her much recognition as a woman focused on empowering youth.
Dr. Battiste believes that through involvement in this program, she has had a bright and prosperous career. “I have always had an interest in helping the less advantaged students and I always try to find creative and innovative ways to help students grow and develop,” she said.
After returning to the VI in 1992, following her post graduate studies at Howard University and George Washington University, she was asked to head the drug prevention program that the university had recently received a grant to fund. Since then, Dr. Battiste has spread her wings over a number of other organizations and groups.
She started a volunteer mentoring program with the Michael J. Kerwin Elementary School where UVI students served as mentors to those at the elementary school. This interactive program fostered teamwork, leadership, caring and friendship building and led to the program receiving heavy recommendations from the community.
Dr. Battiste was also instrumental in the functioning of the Family Life Center for Violence Prevention which was an integral part of the university for six years. This program had a very similar concept to the volunteer mentoring program but was located at UVI. To date, some of the students who participated in the program gained employment as teachers of elementary school children.
It was in the year 2005 that she started the Substance Abuse and HIV Prevention Program, also known as the Student Peer Educators program (SPE). The name changed in 2007 to include Hepatitis education as another explored avenue. The program, which was funded by a federal grant from the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention (SAMSA) has evolved into a dynamic mentoring initiative for the students of UVI by the students of UVI.
The program, which has become very popular on both UVI campuses, has a present role of 29 active Student Peer Educators (SPE): 11 on St. Croix and 18 on St. Thomas.
For Senior Biology student, Cliaunjel Williams, life in the workplace would not be the same without the presence of Dr. Battiste. “I met Dr. Battiste through Student Housing events and through the Student Peer Health Program. I have known her for three years. She encourages me to take advantage of all that UVI has to offer,” Williams said.
As she prepared herself to talk about her student peer educators, Dr. Battiste leaned back in the “semi-rocking chair,” folded her arms and smiled as she said, “My whole life has to be around young people to try and help them, to understand some values that were passed on to me.”
Despite her busy schedule, Dr. Battiste always seems to find the time to assist students with their concerns. Her job as program administrator entails organizing training sessions, providing work plans, interviewing SPEs and providing reports to the federal organization, but her job as Associate Campus Administrator charges her with the responsibility of overseeing the entire Student Affairs component. She credits much of her success to her team at Student Affairs. “My job is sometimes tough. It means long nights but I have a very capable and dedicated staff that manages their units well and makes my job easier,” Battiste said.
Student Peer Educator and junior Biology major, Cherissre Boateng was thrilled to talk about Dr. Battiste’s impact on her life. “I work closely with her. I have known Dr. Battiste for approximately three3 years now. Dr. Battiste is a very professional, outstanding, phenomenal woman who takes her career very seriously. Dr. Battiste motivates me to work hard, work for what I want and always go the extra mile.”
Realizing that she has impacted the lives of her students and possibly others, Dr. Battiste says that only happens because she genuinely cares about what she does. “I always give my all, even if money isn’t involved. That’s just me, very passionate.” She added that the people she chooses
to surround herself with also help to motivate her. “I like to be around people who love to work smarter not necessarily harder.”
Dr. Battiste continues to remain focused on educating students about substance abuse, HIV and Hepatitis. While she wants students to be equally educated about the different topics that the student peer educators explore, the greatest awareness seems to be in Hepatitis. Because students have to complete pre and post tests about the different presentation topics, Dr. Battiste and her team are able to monitor the knowledge received by students.
With a Masters in Guidance Counseling and a Doctorate in Higher Education with a concentration in Student Development under her belt, Dr. Doris Battiste continues to make her contribution to the VI community by facilitating programs geared towards educating youth about potential harmful issues around them.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Local Church Outreach to Orphanage in Nigeria
By Marah Joseph
Yes, the economy is in crisis and things are tough globally. Food prices have risen and cost of living has also increased. Imagine what it’s like to maintain an orphanage and support tons of people during this economic crisis. Bishop Elijah Mboho knows exactly what it is like.
Kingdom Life International Christian Center (KLICC), a local church on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is an active supporter of the Nigerian ministerial orphanage Gospel Village, presently under the leadership of Bishop Elijah Mboho. KLICC, under the headship of senior pastor Ashley C. Estrada, assistant pastor Bernaby Joseph and with the help of approximately seven hundred members, this orphanage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria is faithfully being supported.
Gospel Village was established in 1965 by Bishop Elijah Mboho. This five acre land is currently home to approximately 1000 individuals
, 80 percent of which are adolescents under the full-time care of Mboho and assistants and 20 percent are older individuals with disabilities who are incapable of providing for themselves. The majority of the children taken to Gospel Village are orphans. Many were abandoned by their parents at birth, and some were found in the woods given away as sacrifice to wild animals. “Some of these children didn’t even know their names, and many have no idea who their biological parents are,” said Carlton Leslie, correspondent person for the Gospel Village mission in KLICC.
Gospel Village, with the help of KLICC mission has helped individuals in so many ways. It provides shelter for all who come seeking help. “Bishop Mboho has never refused anyone help. He welcomes everyone in the name of God,” Leslie said. Even spiritual help is offered in Gospel Village. Leslie said that many people come to Bishop Mboho for help in their spiritual life; some come for deliverance and others for prayer.
“Living conditions may be tough in Gospel Village but Bishop Mboho never allows anyone to call these children less fortunate. He hates that term,” Leslie said during Sunday morning service. Infants only a few months old to four years of age receive three meals a day, children from the ages of five to 11 years are given two meals a day and those above age 12 receive one meal daily.
Each year, more individuals come to Gospel Village for food, shelter, or security, thus, cost of living also increases. Monthly, the KLICC people donate to Gospel Village. The members of this local St. Thomas church contribute by fundraising, and missionary donations. “A small amount of five dollars a week helps provide these kids with food, electricity and necessities,” said Leslie who is also head of the missions department for Gospel Village. Although this amount may seem to be very small and insignificant to many people here on St. Thomas, but it could help feed a hungry child.
“I donate to Gospel Village almost every Sunday. It is amazing what we can achieve if we all come together to support those in need,” said Neisa Cazaubon, Junior Biology major and member of the KLICC church.
A few members from the KLICC pay annual visits to the orphanage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Each year some report life-changing experiences. “I have never seen so many grateful children in my life. They constantly thanked us for our donations and never ceased to pray in the midst of all that hardship. It was amazing to see girls and boys of different age and sizes all praising God together,” Karen John said during Sunday morning testimonials. “It was a humbling experience that has changed my life forever,” said Reah, a member of the KLICC church. Others testified of the spirituality differences between the KLICC congregation and the children at Gospel Village. Some were amazed by they way they saw children praising God for his goodness. “I have never seen anything like it, not even in the church,” said Leslie.
One of the goals that KLICC hopes to accomplish this year is to help raise public awareness. Raising public awareness will first inform people about the Gospel Village. This awareness will then urge people to help donate to a good cause that will feed, educate and provide shelter for children and those adults who are in need. “All I think about is ways that I can help the kids over in Gospel Village. I pray everyday that I can make enough money to support them much more,” said Leslie.
Yes, the economy is in crisis and things are tough globally. Food prices have risen and cost of living has also increased. Imagine what it’s like to maintain an orphanage and support tons of people during this economic crisis. Bishop Elijah Mboho knows exactly what it is like.
Kingdom Life International Christian Center (KLICC), a local church on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, is an active supporter of the Nigerian ministerial orphanage Gospel Village, presently under the leadership of Bishop Elijah Mboho. KLICC, under the headship of senior pastor Ashley C. Estrada, assistant pastor Bernaby Joseph and with the help of approximately seven hundred members, this orphanage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria is faithfully being supported.
Gospel Village was established in 1965 by Bishop Elijah Mboho. This five acre land is currently home to approximately 1000 individuals
, 80 percent of which are adolescents under the full-time care of Mboho and assistants and 20 percent are older individuals with disabilities who are incapable of providing for themselves. The majority of the children taken to Gospel Village are orphans. Many were abandoned by their parents at birth, and some were found in the woods given away as sacrifice to wild animals. “Some of these children didn’t even know their names, and many have no idea who their biological parents are,” said Carlton Leslie, correspondent person for the Gospel Village mission in KLICC.
Gospel Village, with the help of KLICC mission has helped individuals in so many ways. It provides shelter for all who come seeking help. “Bishop Mboho has never refused anyone help. He welcomes everyone in the name of God,” Leslie said. Even spiritual help is offered in Gospel Village. Leslie said that many people come to Bishop Mboho for help in their spiritual life; some come for deliverance and others for prayer.
“Living conditions may be tough in Gospel Village but Bishop Mboho never allows anyone to call these children less fortunate. He hates that term,” Leslie said during Sunday morning service. Infants only a few months old to four years of age receive three meals a day, children from the ages of five to 11 years are given two meals a day and those above age 12 receive one meal daily.
Each year, more individuals come to Gospel Village for food, shelter, or security, thus, cost of living also increases. Monthly, the KLICC people donate to Gospel Village. The members of this local St. Thomas church contribute by fundraising, and missionary donations. “A small amount of five dollars a week helps provide these kids with food, electricity and necessities,” said Leslie who is also head of the missions department for Gospel Village. Although this amount may seem to be very small and insignificant to many people here on St. Thomas, but it could help feed a hungry child.
“I donate to Gospel Village almost every Sunday. It is amazing what we can achieve if we all come together to support those in need,” said Neisa Cazaubon, Junior Biology major and member of the KLICC church.
A few members from the KLICC pay annual visits to the orphanage in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Each year some report life-changing experiences. “I have never seen so many grateful children in my life. They constantly thanked us for our donations and never ceased to pray in the midst of all that hardship. It was amazing to see girls and boys of different age and sizes all praising God together,” Karen John said during Sunday morning testimonials. “It was a humbling experience that has changed my life forever,” said Reah, a member of the KLICC church. Others testified of the spirituality differences between the KLICC congregation and the children at Gospel Village. Some were amazed by they way they saw children praising God for his goodness. “I have never seen anything like it, not even in the church,” said Leslie.
One of the goals that KLICC hopes to accomplish this year is to help raise public awareness. Raising public awareness will first inform people about the Gospel Village. This awareness will then urge people to help donate to a good cause that will feed, educate and provide shelter for children and those adults who are in need. “All I think about is ways that I can help the kids over in Gospel Village. I pray everyday that I can make enough money to support them much more,” said Leslie.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sharifa Maloney – Miss UVI and SGA President
By Jáedee S.K. Caines
“The winner of the 2007 Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition is Sharifa Maloney!” the MC shouted, and nobody was more surprised than Sharifa herself. For many seasoned pageant contestants, winning the Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition would have been an exciting time and another accomplishment, but for UVI Accounting student, Sharifa Maloney, it was the biggest highlight of her life because, according to her, it doesn’t fit into her personality and is not a reflection of anything she would normally do.
On the outside, Maloney looks like a simple, laid back, easy-going individual, but on the inside, she has the heart of an angel, and the passion of a civil rights activist. She wears two major hats at the University of the Virgin Islands: Miss UVI and President of the Student Government Association and she still manages to be a Golden Key honor student.
Her dedication the two major tasks at UVI is evident as she centers her life on two mottos: “Adjust to changing times but, hold to unchanging principles” and “Our life begins to end the day we remain silent about things that matter.”
A product of Belmont Village in Trinidad, and born to Donna Haynes and Hayden Maloney on April 17 1985, Maloney has always been involved in community life. She moved to Virgin Gorda in 2004 after completing her ‘A’ level courses in Trinidad. She did not allow the change to a new home on a different island to stunt her drive of being involved in the community, hence, she became the president of her church’s youth group. Also in Virgin Gorda, she worked as an office manager for Trinity Financial Services.
At 23, her future ambition is constantly changing. The one thing remains strong is her ultimate goal of getting into charity work for nonprofit organizations.
In addition to the two major hats she wears at UVI, Maloney is the student representative on the Business Grievance Committee, Vice President of the Golden Key Honor Society and a member of the Rotaract Club.
When asked “What makes you be a leader?” Maloney responded, “I have asked myself that question over and over again but that’s who I am and I can’t run from it.” Ironically, no other member of the Haynes-Maloney family has travelled the same journey as the vibrant queen and president. “I’m blazing my own trail,” she says, when she talks about her family.
Maloney, who is also very spiritual, says that God has been the conductor of her life. “My faith in God and the mere fact that he comes through for me every time gives me strength to persevere,” she says.
According to her, it takes a lot to make her angry. “Not in any boastful way, but I don’t really crumble. I sometimes get discouraged, but I don’t crumble,” she says. On the other hand, she dislikes injustice and finds it hurtful “seeing people be taken advantaged of” and “seeing people take advantage of their positions.”
Nursing senior Schenell Weekes, who has resided in the same residence hall as Maloney for almost two years, describes her [Maloney] as being friendly and easy to get along with,” and added that Maloney ‘seems to get along with everyone in the building.” While Maloney says that being an ambassador for UVI has forced her to “step out” of her comfort zone,” Weekes says that the Miss UVI title did not change the kind of person she [Maloney] is. “She’s the same. She didn’t change that much. She didn’t allow her reign to change the person she is and has been.”
As the time draws near when she will no longer be the reigning Miss UVI and SGA president, Maloney is making plans to earn her master’s degree at another university, gaining employment and starting her own family. Even as she prepares to make that big step she has a desire to make her family proud. “A lot of what I do is for my family - a family with many broken relationships and shattered dreams and goals.”
Former SGA president Rick Grant defines his role as being Maloney’s “unpaid personal assistant and friend.” As someone who has worked closely with Maloney, Grant believes she “is a well rounded young woman who is purposed on setting goals and meeting them.” While Maloney says that her reign has been a “rewarding experience” that challenged her in many ways, Grant underscores that by saying it [her reign] was “abundant with opportunities and challenges.
“She had the opportunity to redefine the premise of Miss UVI and she was also challenged to encourage others to embrace her new premise,” Grant said. While Maloney is thrilled that her leadership role exposed her to networking, she is more grateful for the “rewarding and dear friendships that come out of being a UVI ambassador.”
The UVI student body pays special attention to their queen and president and expects her to be an exemplary role model for them. “As SGA President, I think she’s doing a good job. If you ask her anything she’ll find out and get back to you. As Miss UVI, she carries herself with pride and dignity and she represents the university well,” said dorm mate Weekes.
One might think that Maloney’s two roles may often work against each other when she’s faced with representing the university versus being a voice for the students facing problems at UVI, but she [Maloney] has a different outlook on it. “In any institution you find yourself a part of, you’ll find things you don’t like, but part of being mature is recognizing the good, not necessarily ignoring the ills but focusing more on the good, because there’s good and bad wherever you go.”
As the Trinidadian-born, with a “simple clothing style” as she defines it, continues to make a name for herself, she makes others proud in the process.
“Holistically, I believe that Sharifa upheld the queen-like demeanor of Miss UVI. On the other hand, I think that she broke the stereotypical type of thinking that a queen is beauty and no brains,” said Grant.
She’s a sister to three, a daughter to two and a role model to many, she’s Sharifa Maloney, living by her two mottos “Adjust to changing times but, hold to unchanging principles” and “Our life begins to end the day we remain silent about things that matter.”
“The winner of the 2007 Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition is Sharifa Maloney!” the MC shouted, and nobody was more surprised than Sharifa herself. For many seasoned pageant contestants, winning the Miss UVI Ambassadorial Competition would have been an exciting time and another accomplishment, but for UVI Accounting student, Sharifa Maloney, it was the biggest highlight of her life because, according to her, it doesn’t fit into her personality and is not a reflection of anything she would normally do.
On the outside, Maloney looks like a simple, laid back, easy-going individual, but on the inside, she has the heart of an angel, and the passion of a civil rights activist. She wears two major hats at the University of the Virgin Islands: Miss UVI and President of the Student Government Association and she still manages to be a Golden Key honor student.
Her dedication the two major tasks at UVI is evident as she centers her life on two mottos: “Adjust to changing times but, hold to unchanging principles” and “Our life begins to end the day we remain silent about things that matter.”
A product of Belmont Village in Trinidad, and born to Donna Haynes and Hayden Maloney on April 17 1985, Maloney has always been involved in community life. She moved to Virgin Gorda in 2004 after completing her ‘A’ level courses in Trinidad. She did not allow the change to a new home on a different island to stunt her drive of being involved in the community, hence, she became the president of her church’s youth group. Also in Virgin Gorda, she worked as an office manager for Trinity Financial Services.
At 23, her future ambition is constantly changing. The one thing remains strong is her ultimate goal of getting into charity work for nonprofit organizations.
In addition to the two major hats she wears at UVI, Maloney is the student representative on the Business Grievance Committee, Vice President of the Golden Key Honor Society and a member of the Rotaract Club.
When asked “What makes you be a leader?” Maloney responded, “I have asked myself that question over and over again but that’s who I am and I can’t run from it.” Ironically, no other member of the Haynes-Maloney family has travelled the same journey as the vibrant queen and president. “I’m blazing my own trail,” she says, when she talks about her family.
Maloney, who is also very spiritual, says that God has been the conductor of her life. “My faith in God and the mere fact that he comes through for me every time gives me strength to persevere,” she says.
According to her, it takes a lot to make her angry. “Not in any boastful way, but I don’t really crumble. I sometimes get discouraged, but I don’t crumble,” she says. On the other hand, she dislikes injustice and finds it hurtful “seeing people be taken advantaged of” and “seeing people take advantage of their positions.”
Nursing senior Schenell Weekes, who has resided in the same residence hall as Maloney for almost two years, describes her [Maloney] as being friendly and easy to get along with,” and added that Maloney ‘seems to get along with everyone in the building.” While Maloney says that being an ambassador for UVI has forced her to “step out” of her comfort zone,” Weekes says that the Miss UVI title did not change the kind of person she [Maloney] is. “She’s the same. She didn’t change that much. She didn’t allow her reign to change the person she is and has been.”
As the time draws near when she will no longer be the reigning Miss UVI and SGA president, Maloney is making plans to earn her master’s degree at another university, gaining employment and starting her own family. Even as she prepares to make that big step she has a desire to make her family proud. “A lot of what I do is for my family - a family with many broken relationships and shattered dreams and goals.”
Former SGA president Rick Grant defines his role as being Maloney’s “unpaid personal assistant and friend.” As someone who has worked closely with Maloney, Grant believes she “is a well rounded young woman who is purposed on setting goals and meeting them.” While Maloney says that her reign has been a “rewarding experience” that challenged her in many ways, Grant underscores that by saying it [her reign] was “abundant with opportunities and challenges.
“She had the opportunity to redefine the premise of Miss UVI and she was also challenged to encourage others to embrace her new premise,” Grant said. While Maloney is thrilled that her leadership role exposed her to networking, she is more grateful for the “rewarding and dear friendships that come out of being a UVI ambassador.”
The UVI student body pays special attention to their queen and president and expects her to be an exemplary role model for them. “As SGA President, I think she’s doing a good job. If you ask her anything she’ll find out and get back to you. As Miss UVI, she carries herself with pride and dignity and she represents the university well,” said dorm mate Weekes.
One might think that Maloney’s two roles may often work against each other when she’s faced with representing the university versus being a voice for the students facing problems at UVI, but she [Maloney] has a different outlook on it. “In any institution you find yourself a part of, you’ll find things you don’t like, but part of being mature is recognizing the good, not necessarily ignoring the ills but focusing more on the good, because there’s good and bad wherever you go.”
As the Trinidadian-born, with a “simple clothing style” as she defines it, continues to make a name for herself, she makes others proud in the process.
“Holistically, I believe that Sharifa upheld the queen-like demeanor of Miss UVI. On the other hand, I think that she broke the stereotypical type of thinking that a queen is beauty and no brains,” said Grant.
She’s a sister to three, a daughter to two and a role model to many, she’s Sharifa Maloney, living by her two mottos “Adjust to changing times but, hold to unchanging principles” and “Our life begins to end the day we remain silent about things that matter.”
Monday, March 16, 2009
Portrait of a Virgin Island Maroon - Joseph Hodge
Portrait of a Virgin Island Maroon- Joseph Hodge
By April Glasgow
At his studio, the cool sea breeze blows gently inside the wooden hut, he plays jazz and burns incense to create what he calls, “his element.” He drums as he speaks, his rhythm is a heartbeat- “just like art,” he says.
The Asante Art Studio is where Joseph Hodge, Joe for short, a native artist, finds his solace. He paints images and remnants of Virgin Islands culture, which is not at all surprising, considering that his position as an artist is historian.
Verna Penn Moll, another Virgin Islands historian and author wrote [about Hodge], “This mainly self-taught artist has been capturing much of the social and cultural history of the BVI on canvas for more than 35 years.” No, he wasn’t trained in any art school, or any other related institution. He says it was only natural that he became an artist.
“They ask me- where did you study? I say- in the bush,” Joe says with a smile, yet with a serious tone of voice. “That’s where the sciences are at, that’s where the priests are at, and that’s where the people like me are at.”
This ‘man of the bush’ was born in Tortola, raised in a full home of six siblings. His mother, who travelled to many Caribbean islands with Joe and the rest of the family, helped him to develop his appreciation for cultural diversity and strengthened his keen observation skills as well. His relationship with his grandmother, who was a bush doctor, was strong, and he maintains that all that she taught him still remains.
He went to school in Tortola, has lived on other Caribbean islands, including St. Maarten, Curacao and St. Thomas, where he spent much of his life; but now he’s back in the country of his birth.
He was always a fisherman, and attributes a lot of his knowledge to the older fishermen in the village with which he would venture out on the seas.
“I learned the science of man and God- about the stars and the moon amongst them,” Hodge says. At a young age he was exposed to bush medicine, local artisans and farmers who all contributed to his vast knowledge of culture. He was always a curious one. Joe recalls one day poking his nose into a jar his mother told him to leave alone. All he could remember is waking up and hurriedly putting the cover back onto the jar which contained smelling salts.
It was while working on Tortola, as a bartender after school, that Joe got an epiphany. It came to him in the form of the book, “Separate Reality” by Carlos Castaneda. Forgotten by some tourists he was tending to, it was the beautiful painting on the cover that caught his eye.
While on St. Thomas, he attended the University of the Virgin Islands for a few semesters, and only took classes he thought he would benefit from; namely, the arts, history and the sciences. He would try to read anything he could get his hands on about Africa, whether it was Nelson Mandela in South Africa or Queen Nanny of the Maroons in Jamaica. It was this close association that he felt to Africa that inspired the naming of his studio.
Joe established the Asante Art Studios on Tortola in the sixties. He sold his first painting for $25, “which was a lot of money back then,” he recalled.
“It’s keeping with the time- we never accept defeat,” says Joe about naming his studio. Who’s the we he speaks about? “The Asante organized revolts to sustain African culture. The name will never die.” Joe’s eyes are now bright and full, signaling the importance of his statement.
Not only does he associate himself with the Asante tribe in Africa, but he calls himself a maroon.
“I’m a maroon, I’ve escaped.” He certainly is not the follower type. He has sought out African history, culture and tradition, in a society that is not so forgiving to the likes of him. Yet, he lives and breathes this tradition every single day. He is who he wants to be, and has always been just that.
Influential persons in Joe’s life include Reuben Strawberry, Edward Wilmot Blyden, and Queen Nzinga. “The people that I really respect for defending their culture are the maroons of Jamaica and Suriname.” He mentions Queen Nanny, originally born in Ghana, as the leader of many slave revolts. “They resisted because they wanted freedom.” He has an extensive personal library, part of which he keeps in the studio; it’s part of the element.
One major achievement in Joe’s life is VIAFEST, the Virgin Islands Arts Festival. He, along with six other men established the festival because they saw a need for culture to be awakened. “We wanted to enlighten the community.”
In 1984, the festival, being the first of its kind started with a bang. Artists and performers from the BVI and USVI came out to display their work in arts, crafts and music. The event ran strong for three consecutive years, the last one happening in 1986.
What is art to this artist? “Art is not just another class, art is life.” Fellow cultural activist, Professor Gene Emanuel, expressed that his friend [Hodge] is certainly an “African artist who has contributed his art as a tool for resistance.”
“His arena,” said Emanuel, “although artistic, embodied the cultural forms and faces of resistance so that the beauty of the human struggle could be seen in its most beautiful forms.”
To some, he’s a peculiar man because he’s into that ‘African thing,’ as Joe puts it. “I wouldn’t like if I were anything else- It’s a pleasure being black.” He thinks that Black History is vital to our communities and would love to see some of the old tradition come back to the Virgin Islands, especially farming and bush medicine.
Joe’s paintings show the ‘bigger picture’ of old Virgin Islands customs; whether it be farming, fishing, dance, cockfighting, courtship, architecture, dress, food, even religion. One of his paintings, which he describes as “every woman” is a depiction of the Caribbean woman, beautiful and welcoming.
Joe speaks in narratives. He has a story for everything. Don’t look for a simple yes or no, he’s deep and he knows it. His answers to questions may leave an inquirer mystified. The highlights of his artistic career are his various types of knowledge; that of history, of understanding the society, and of understanding himself and being able to articulate that. He doesn’t give a list of awards, the selling of expensive paintings or other forms of recognition he has attained throughout the years. “My greatest accomplishment is my knowledge- all that I have acquired.”
Joe says that maintaining his persistence and not changing the course are what makes him stick out amongst other Virgin Islands’ artists.
What is Joe’s next move? Joe wants to be among the Akan people in West Africa, among the Njuka and Saramaka in Suriname- in an environment that is more conducive to his way of living, a natural way that is. It may not happen soon, but Joe’s the kind of man that goes with the flow, and satisfaction is found in the simple things of life. Joe has never married, but says, “I would love to, if I find a woman that thinks.” He hasn’t sold any million-dollar paintings, or lived in the lap of luxury and excess- and it’s all good.
“Getting up every day, painting, fishing, knowing that I’m alive, being conscious of who I am, talking to children and people about what’s going on- those are what make me tick, because they are a part of me.”
This artist can teach you about history, native culture, bush medicine, how to purge fish poison out of your body, even show you how to preserve food for a couple days without putting it in the fridge. Yet, at the end of the day, he is truly an artist.
“Art is the description that we leave behind, to let others know that we were here.” He paints as he speaks. “Art is our very heartbeat.”
By April Glasgow
At his studio, the cool sea breeze blows gently inside the wooden hut, he plays jazz and burns incense to create what he calls, “his element.” He drums as he speaks, his rhythm is a heartbeat- “just like art,” he says.
The Asante Art Studio is where Joseph Hodge, Joe for short, a native artist, finds his solace. He paints images and remnants of Virgin Islands culture, which is not at all surprising, considering that his position as an artist is historian.
Verna Penn Moll, another Virgin Islands historian and author wrote [about Hodge], “This mainly self-taught artist has been capturing much of the social and cultural history of the BVI on canvas for more than 35 years.” No, he wasn’t trained in any art school, or any other related institution. He says it was only natural that he became an artist.
“They ask me- where did you study? I say- in the bush,” Joe says with a smile, yet with a serious tone of voice. “That’s where the sciences are at, that’s where the priests are at, and that’s where the people like me are at.”
This ‘man of the bush’ was born in Tortola, raised in a full home of six siblings. His mother, who travelled to many Caribbean islands with Joe and the rest of the family, helped him to develop his appreciation for cultural diversity and strengthened his keen observation skills as well. His relationship with his grandmother, who was a bush doctor, was strong, and he maintains that all that she taught him still remains.
He went to school in Tortola, has lived on other Caribbean islands, including St. Maarten, Curacao and St. Thomas, where he spent much of his life; but now he’s back in the country of his birth.
He was always a fisherman, and attributes a lot of his knowledge to the older fishermen in the village with which he would venture out on the seas.
“I learned the science of man and God- about the stars and the moon amongst them,” Hodge says. At a young age he was exposed to bush medicine, local artisans and farmers who all contributed to his vast knowledge of culture. He was always a curious one. Joe recalls one day poking his nose into a jar his mother told him to leave alone. All he could remember is waking up and hurriedly putting the cover back onto the jar which contained smelling salts.
It was while working on Tortola, as a bartender after school, that Joe got an epiphany. It came to him in the form of the book, “Separate Reality” by Carlos Castaneda. Forgotten by some tourists he was tending to, it was the beautiful painting on the cover that caught his eye.
While on St. Thomas, he attended the University of the Virgin Islands for a few semesters, and only took classes he thought he would benefit from; namely, the arts, history and the sciences. He would try to read anything he could get his hands on about Africa, whether it was Nelson Mandela in South Africa or Queen Nanny of the Maroons in Jamaica. It was this close association that he felt to Africa that inspired the naming of his studio.
Joe established the Asante Art Studios on Tortola in the sixties. He sold his first painting for $25, “which was a lot of money back then,” he recalled.
“It’s keeping with the time- we never accept defeat,” says Joe about naming his studio. Who’s the we he speaks about? “The Asante organized revolts to sustain African culture. The name will never die.” Joe’s eyes are now bright and full, signaling the importance of his statement.
Not only does he associate himself with the Asante tribe in Africa, but he calls himself a maroon.
“I’m a maroon, I’ve escaped.” He certainly is not the follower type. He has sought out African history, culture and tradition, in a society that is not so forgiving to the likes of him. Yet, he lives and breathes this tradition every single day. He is who he wants to be, and has always been just that.
Influential persons in Joe’s life include Reuben Strawberry, Edward Wilmot Blyden, and Queen Nzinga. “The people that I really respect for defending their culture are the maroons of Jamaica and Suriname.” He mentions Queen Nanny, originally born in Ghana, as the leader of many slave revolts. “They resisted because they wanted freedom.” He has an extensive personal library, part of which he keeps in the studio; it’s part of the element.
One major achievement in Joe’s life is VIAFEST, the Virgin Islands Arts Festival. He, along with six other men established the festival because they saw a need for culture to be awakened. “We wanted to enlighten the community.”
In 1984, the festival, being the first of its kind started with a bang. Artists and performers from the BVI and USVI came out to display their work in arts, crafts and music. The event ran strong for three consecutive years, the last one happening in 1986.
What is art to this artist? “Art is not just another class, art is life.” Fellow cultural activist, Professor Gene Emanuel, expressed that his friend [Hodge] is certainly an “African artist who has contributed his art as a tool for resistance.”
“His arena,” said Emanuel, “although artistic, embodied the cultural forms and faces of resistance so that the beauty of the human struggle could be seen in its most beautiful forms.”
To some, he’s a peculiar man because he’s into that ‘African thing,’ as Joe puts it. “I wouldn’t like if I were anything else- It’s a pleasure being black.” He thinks that Black History is vital to our communities and would love to see some of the old tradition come back to the Virgin Islands, especially farming and bush medicine.
Joe’s paintings show the ‘bigger picture’ of old Virgin Islands customs; whether it be farming, fishing, dance, cockfighting, courtship, architecture, dress, food, even religion. One of his paintings, which he describes as “every woman” is a depiction of the Caribbean woman, beautiful and welcoming.
Joe speaks in narratives. He has a story for everything. Don’t look for a simple yes or no, he’s deep and he knows it. His answers to questions may leave an inquirer mystified. The highlights of his artistic career are his various types of knowledge; that of history, of understanding the society, and of understanding himself and being able to articulate that. He doesn’t give a list of awards, the selling of expensive paintings or other forms of recognition he has attained throughout the years. “My greatest accomplishment is my knowledge- all that I have acquired.”
Joe says that maintaining his persistence and not changing the course are what makes him stick out amongst other Virgin Islands’ artists.
What is Joe’s next move? Joe wants to be among the Akan people in West Africa, among the Njuka and Saramaka in Suriname- in an environment that is more conducive to his way of living, a natural way that is. It may not happen soon, but Joe’s the kind of man that goes with the flow, and satisfaction is found in the simple things of life. Joe has never married, but says, “I would love to, if I find a woman that thinks.” He hasn’t sold any million-dollar paintings, or lived in the lap of luxury and excess- and it’s all good.
“Getting up every day, painting, fishing, knowing that I’m alive, being conscious of who I am, talking to children and people about what’s going on- those are what make me tick, because they are a part of me.”
This artist can teach you about history, native culture, bush medicine, how to purge fish poison out of your body, even show you how to preserve food for a couple days without putting it in the fridge. Yet, at the end of the day, he is truly an artist.
“Art is the description that we leave behind, to let others know that we were here.” He paints as he speaks. “Art is our very heartbeat.”
Drinking Laws in the Virgin Islands; Fact or Fiction?
Drinking Laws in the Virgin Islands; Fact or Fiction?
By Jill A. Wagner
Feb. 23, 2009
When asked how he felt about the drinking laws in the Virgin Islands, St. Croix native Kurt Alexander, age 20, replied in a calm, nonchalant tone of voice, “What drinking laws?”
This seems to be the overall attitude concerning the alcohol regulations in the US Virgin Islands. A US territory with self proclaimed liberal drinking laws, the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix may all technically be American soil but one quickly realizes that island life is far removed from the strict laws of the mainland.
Statistically speaking, drunk driving kills. According to the Supreme Court collection of legal cases at Cornell Law University, every year, “approximately 15,000 fatal alcohol related crashes occur, accounting for roughly 40% of all fatal crashes.” The question here is which laws are best for keeping these numbers down. Do drinking laws actually do what they are supposed to do or do we need to focus our energies on other ways of keeping the public safe?
Exchange student Lauren Wingard reflected on this issue by saying that she “was very surprised to find that it was legal to drink and drive on St. Thomas. It was so different from back home in Raleigh [North Carolina]. I don’t think it’s a good idea. The laws don’t seem to have the public safety in mind.”
The United States federal government has had the public safety in mind these past 20 years. The US feds have made extreme attempts to crack down on the occurrence of alcohol related deaths and injuries. The drinking age in all 50 states was raised to 21 in the late seventies and new laws such as Open Container laws and Dram Shop/Social Host Liability laws began to be put into place throughout the US throughout the past 20 years. Both of which directly influence the allowance of drinking while driving and drinking heavily before driving.
Dram Shop/Social Host Liability laws have been one of the most extreme changes in the legal system by turning the blame on the server not the drinker. These kinds of laws make it possible for any bartender or other server to be blamed or held responsible for damages caused by the drinkers they serve, effectively putting the fear of God into every bartender and restaurant worker in the states.
And it doesn’t stop there. The federal government took extra steps to ensure that states complied with the new alcohol awareness. According to www.drunkdrivinglawyers.com, “in 1998 the federal government took steps to encourage states to enact open container laws by passing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which required states to enact open container laws by October 1, 2000 or lose a portion of their Federal-aid highway construction funds.” Today, only six US states have failed to form any open container laws. States such as Connecticut, Delaware and Virginia are among the six that refrained from enacting such laws. Surprisingly, however these states are not among the highest in alcohol related deaths. These six states hover around the 40% national average for alcohol related traffic deaths.
The stats, in all actuality, add up to reveal that the states with the strictest alcohol laws are those with the highest percentages of alcohol related traffic deaths sitting just over 50%. The top three highest are South Carolina, South Dakota, and D.C., and according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, all have administrative license suspension on the first DUI offense, increased penalties for high blood alcohol concentration, and repeat offender laws, among others.
With laws like these becoming the norm in the states, visitors to the islands are feeling the difference. Most simply look at the laid back laws as a reflection of the laid back lifestyle that takes precedence in much of the Virgin Islands, but others find it to be a severe form of negligence. Baltimore [Maryland] resident turned exchange student, Kia Cox, matter-of-factly pointed out that the drinking laws on the island of St. Thomas “suck because they pretty much advocate drinking and driving…You could kill somebody that way.”
The US Virgin Islands, as well as other US Island territories such as Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, have extremely lenient alcohol laws that are relatively un-enforced by the local police force.
Virgin Islands University Professor Dr. Kimarie Engerman, native to St. Croix, stated that she has “never heard of a young person getting a DUI (driving under the influence). It seems I’ve only heard of maybe a few older people getting them.” When asked how she views the drinking laws in the Virgin Islands versus those in the US she tells that “it’s [drinking in the US] like it’s something that kids can’t wait to do because they are not allowed to for so long. It is a big to-do in the US.”
Though some of the locals, such as Dr. Engerman, are at ease with the drinking laws and levels of enforcement, they are quite adamant about their stance against drinking and driving. “I don’t agree with drinking and driving at all,” Says 36 year old Angela Mills, a student and native to St. Thomas, “they do it all the time though.” When asked who does the majority of the drinking and driving on the islands Ms. Mills goes on to point out that “the locals don’t view drinking as a big deal and don’t abuse it as much as those that visit the island.”
With tourism being the driving force of the island economy, those that visit the island add up to a large number: over two and a half million tourists flood the islands each year. The University of the Virgin Islands, with campuses on both St. Thomas and St. Croix, can add roughly 2500 students from all over the world.
With all these visitors experiencing the drastic change in drinking laws, abuse can run rampant. UVI student Beth Leonard, age 23, reflected while sipping her morning coffee that, upon coming here, she was “surprised at how little the locals were drinking and partying. It was the foreigners that were taking it to the extreme and pushing all the limits.”
She went on to say that she sees the drinking laws in the Virgin Islands to be “legitimate because people are going to drink no matter what. If you allow casual drinking, people will drink casually. The more you constrict the laws the more abused alcohol becomes.”
The laws, in this case, aren’t the problem. The problem the Virgin Islands, and other places like it, must face is the stream of foreign minds and bodies roaming their streets in search of a good time. On first glance the Virgin Islands can seem like a lawless paradise, a wild west with palm trees if you will, but the culture has a delicate balance. There will be alcohol abuse wherever there is alcohol.
The drinking laws of the islands give foreigners an inch and the foreigners in turn take a mile.
By Jill A. Wagner
Feb. 23, 2009
When asked how he felt about the drinking laws in the Virgin Islands, St. Croix native Kurt Alexander, age 20, replied in a calm, nonchalant tone of voice, “What drinking laws?”
This seems to be the overall attitude concerning the alcohol regulations in the US Virgin Islands. A US territory with self proclaimed liberal drinking laws, the islands of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix may all technically be American soil but one quickly realizes that island life is far removed from the strict laws of the mainland.
Statistically speaking, drunk driving kills. According to the Supreme Court collection of legal cases at Cornell Law University, every year, “approximately 15,000 fatal alcohol related crashes occur, accounting for roughly 40% of all fatal crashes.” The question here is which laws are best for keeping these numbers down. Do drinking laws actually do what they are supposed to do or do we need to focus our energies on other ways of keeping the public safe?
Exchange student Lauren Wingard reflected on this issue by saying that she “was very surprised to find that it was legal to drink and drive on St. Thomas. It was so different from back home in Raleigh [North Carolina]. I don’t think it’s a good idea. The laws don’t seem to have the public safety in mind.”
The United States federal government has had the public safety in mind these past 20 years. The US feds have made extreme attempts to crack down on the occurrence of alcohol related deaths and injuries. The drinking age in all 50 states was raised to 21 in the late seventies and new laws such as Open Container laws and Dram Shop/Social Host Liability laws began to be put into place throughout the US throughout the past 20 years. Both of which directly influence the allowance of drinking while driving and drinking heavily before driving.
Dram Shop/Social Host Liability laws have been one of the most extreme changes in the legal system by turning the blame on the server not the drinker. These kinds of laws make it possible for any bartender or other server to be blamed or held responsible for damages caused by the drinkers they serve, effectively putting the fear of God into every bartender and restaurant worker in the states.
And it doesn’t stop there. The federal government took extra steps to ensure that states complied with the new alcohol awareness. According to www.drunkdrivinglawyers.com, “in 1998 the federal government took steps to encourage states to enact open container laws by passing the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, which required states to enact open container laws by October 1, 2000 or lose a portion of their Federal-aid highway construction funds.” Today, only six US states have failed to form any open container laws. States such as Connecticut, Delaware and Virginia are among the six that refrained from enacting such laws. Surprisingly, however these states are not among the highest in alcohol related deaths. These six states hover around the 40% national average for alcohol related traffic deaths.
The stats, in all actuality, add up to reveal that the states with the strictest alcohol laws are those with the highest percentages of alcohol related traffic deaths sitting just over 50%. The top three highest are South Carolina, South Dakota, and D.C., and according to the Governors Highway Safety Association, all have administrative license suspension on the first DUI offense, increased penalties for high blood alcohol concentration, and repeat offender laws, among others.
With laws like these becoming the norm in the states, visitors to the islands are feeling the difference. Most simply look at the laid back laws as a reflection of the laid back lifestyle that takes precedence in much of the Virgin Islands, but others find it to be a severe form of negligence. Baltimore [Maryland] resident turned exchange student, Kia Cox, matter-of-factly pointed out that the drinking laws on the island of St. Thomas “suck because they pretty much advocate drinking and driving…You could kill somebody that way.”
The US Virgin Islands, as well as other US Island territories such as Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, have extremely lenient alcohol laws that are relatively un-enforced by the local police force.
Virgin Islands University Professor Dr. Kimarie Engerman, native to St. Croix, stated that she has “never heard of a young person getting a DUI (driving under the influence). It seems I’ve only heard of maybe a few older people getting them.” When asked how she views the drinking laws in the Virgin Islands versus those in the US she tells that “it’s [drinking in the US] like it’s something that kids can’t wait to do because they are not allowed to for so long. It is a big to-do in the US.”
Though some of the locals, such as Dr. Engerman, are at ease with the drinking laws and levels of enforcement, they are quite adamant about their stance against drinking and driving. “I don’t agree with drinking and driving at all,” Says 36 year old Angela Mills, a student and native to St. Thomas, “they do it all the time though.” When asked who does the majority of the drinking and driving on the islands Ms. Mills goes on to point out that “the locals don’t view drinking as a big deal and don’t abuse it as much as those that visit the island.”
With tourism being the driving force of the island economy, those that visit the island add up to a large number: over two and a half million tourists flood the islands each year. The University of the Virgin Islands, with campuses on both St. Thomas and St. Croix, can add roughly 2500 students from all over the world.
With all these visitors experiencing the drastic change in drinking laws, abuse can run rampant. UVI student Beth Leonard, age 23, reflected while sipping her morning coffee that, upon coming here, she was “surprised at how little the locals were drinking and partying. It was the foreigners that were taking it to the extreme and pushing all the limits.”
She went on to say that she sees the drinking laws in the Virgin Islands to be “legitimate because people are going to drink no matter what. If you allow casual drinking, people will drink casually. The more you constrict the laws the more abused alcohol becomes.”
The laws, in this case, aren’t the problem. The problem the Virgin Islands, and other places like it, must face is the stream of foreign minds and bodies roaming their streets in search of a good time. On first glance the Virgin Islands can seem like a lawless paradise, a wild west with palm trees if you will, but the culture has a delicate balance. There will be alcohol abuse wherever there is alcohol.
The drinking laws of the islands give foreigners an inch and the foreigners in turn take a mile.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Welcome
This blog is run by the COM 312 Feature Writing class of the University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas and St. Croix) instructed by Dr. Gillian Royes. Join us on this fascinating and colorful journey in exploring Caribbean news articles...through the eyes of the "callaloo" (mixture) of our experience.
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