Political status questions

This is an open letter to the indigenous people of American Somoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Greater Pacific Region. The U.S. Virgin Islands was an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States until 1936. After 1936 the Virgin Islands became an organized unincorporated territory until the 1954 Organic Act. Organized meaning that we are governed by a federal Organic Act, which continues to serve as our Constitution. After the 1954 Organic Act, Congress defined the Virgin Islands as unincorporated, an indication of Congress’ attempt to withhold the incorporated status and that of statehood from the Virgin Islands.

The U. S. Virgin Islands has made five attempts to draft a Constitution and at least two attempts to determine our political status. One might say unsuccessful. Attempts that have been heavily influenced by our porous borders and constant external interference from within from those who reside in the USVI (that come from places with established constitutions and political status). Their satisfaction with the status quo continues to make it extremely difficult to discuss, plan, propose, or even successfully act on any form of self-determination.

Has your political status been determined? Do you have an established Constitution? How did you decide who will participate in the decision? How many casualties of war has your territory experienced? Imagine we, the U.S. Insular Areas, do not even have the opportunity to “pretend” to vote for the person who sends us to war.

Join the Virgin Islands in our quest for self-determination. There is strength in numbers. Let us find common concerns, similarities and with modern technology we can interface and come up with collective strategies that can and will benefit all of us in our individual and collective journey for self-determination.

Director Nik Pula of the Office of Insular Affairs and Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Tony Babauta have received the correspondences regarding the concerns of the residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. It is our belief that there is no one better to facilitate the concerns of the U.S. citizens of the U.S. Insular Areas, none other than one who knows the concerns and has lived the experience. We need your help to get their attention beyond acknowledgment of our correspondences. We invite you to the following websites and Internet radio to follow first-hand some of the issues in the Virgin Islands that are similar to those in your insular area.

* Crucians in Focus: http://cruciansinfocus.com/
* WDHP Reef Broadcasting: http://www.mainstreamnetwork.com/listen/player.asp?station=wdhp-am
* Freeman’s Ground: http://173.201.183.72/~interact/forum/

If there is anything in this correspondence that resonates with you please make it known by contacting: Hon. Anthony M. Babauta, Assistant Secretary for Insular Affairs at Tony_Babauta@ios.doi.gov or calling 202-208-4709 or faxing to 202-219-1989.