This is the first of a three part series with Hugo Vanterpool in which we look at the historical culture as written in his book Dusk to Dawn. Although the book is written in story form with fictional characters, the historical and cultural background are, nonetheless, factual – a very interesting look into the Virgin Islands past as seen through the eyes of a Virgin Islander. Please join us for this informative and enlightening series on CBN Ch51 live or on internet live stream www.cbnbvi.com.
April 22, 2012 at 4:17 pm
Another great episode! I look forward to your second segment with Mr. Vanterpool. In light of our upcoming festival in August, it may be useful, if not already planned, to learn more about the reason behind the August Festival and the manner in which it was celebrated then as compared to how it is celebrated today. It appears to some that money making and vulgarity are the essence of the celebration today. Your show could be useful as an excellent resource to augment the Department of Culture’s collection of data related to our cultural heritage and history. Keep up the good job. C
April 22, 2012 at 4:59 pm
Thank you C and great observation. I will certainly address this in one or more of the later episodes as August Festival was intended to be the celebration of the emancipation from slavery but as you correctly stated, it seems to have gone away from its original intent.
As you know, Slavery was abolished on August 1, 1834 but did you know that prior to that “on 6 September 1831, an act was passed in the Virgin Islands declaring that ‘all Her Majesty’s subjects… should be placed on the same footing..” Apparently this was to give “free people of color” the same rights as whites…, including the ownership of slaves. “But when it came to the territory’s political life, the act very clearly spoke to racial differences; gender differences remained intact.” (Eugenia O’Neal) And, of course, I am hoping to interview Ms. O’Neal.