Asking for a friend.
Looking at this clip from AM Joy — again.
As Joy Reid points out — the USVI was hit by a “Double Whammy” (Irma and Maria).
I raised this question, along with some historical background on the USVI in Black Kos. Give it a read.
Joy Reid is black. and has just headed to St. Thomas. Thank you Ms. Reid.
Essence, a black publication, had the story. U.S. Virgin Islands Rep Questions The Government’s Response To Hurricane Recovery, documenting the neglect shown in the relief and recovery — which is ongoing.
In September, the United States Virgin Islands was rocked by two category 5 hurricanes. Irma made landfall on St. John and St. Thomas on September 6.
Less than two weeks later, Maria barreled through, leaving another casualty — St. Croix. In the aftermath of the devastating storms that claimed lives, the media has given the American territories very little attention. On Sunday, the United States Virgin Islands delegate to the House of Representatives, Stacey Plaskett, went on AM Joy to share the distresses of her constituents.
“I have really grave concerns about the recovery that’s happening in the U.S. Virgin Islands at this time,” Plaskett told host Joy-Ann Reid. “We lost both of our hospitals. We are operating with one emergency room. We have medevaced all of the in-patients off of the islands to the mainland and I have yet to see on the ground discussions about how a real hospital will be put in place.” She continued, “There are discussions about an operating room in a box. That’s not going to suffice for what the people of the Virgin Islands need.
Another concern of the congresswoman — distro centers have been set up, but little has been done to get resources to the people who are unable to drive to them. The elderly especially, are suffering. Plaskett added that there are some islanders who have been without water for a week and she has made this known to the federal government, prompting Elijah Cummings and other Dems on the Oversight Committee to seek an emergency hearing to discuss the Trump Administration’s response to the devastation in the V.I. and Puerto Rico
What stood out for me was this comment by Plaskett (my bold)
Puerto Rico dominated news headlines last week as many celebrities lent their voice to the cause. Plaskett pointed out, “We have yet to see that level of interest on the ground in the U.S. Virgin Islands.” It’s also left Americans there wondering if it's because the USVI is a primarily Black territory.
Tim Duncan — NBA basketball hero, has been doing an amazing job raising funds and awareness. He‘s from St. Croix — and is black.
I scour the internet, news feeds and twitter for information on the situation in the USVI (and for coverage of non US islands like Dominica and Barbuda) I find mostly British coverage, or posts from blogs.
Frankly — the coverage is very, very sparse. Need your help to do the same thing we have been doing for Puerto Rico, with SOS Puerto Rico. Don’t forget her sister islands:
I know how I answer the question I posed. I think that racism plays a key role in how Trump destructively plays at being President. It also affects the intensity (or lack of) media coverage.
Trump and his enabling Republican allies don’t give a damn about any of us. Healthcare, children, wildfires, DACA, LBGTs, the elderly, reproductive rights...the list is a long one.
I know that we are all stretched pretty thin in fighting for our key issues.
Spare a little of your time to help push back against the lack of coverage — and response to the dire crisis in the lives of our fellow citizens in the USVI.
Thank you.