Key Takeaways:
- The U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory with a complex history of Danish colonialism and American acquisition, is watching the situation in Greenland with interest and concern.
- Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands, who have experienced the effects of colonialism and Americanization, are empathizing with the people of Greenland and worrying about their potential loss of identity and autonomy.
- The annexation of the U.S. Virgin Islands by the United States in 1917 has drawn parallels with the current situation in Greenland, with many questioning the role of the local population in decisions about their land and future.
- The U.S. Virgin Islands’ experience with Americanization and the erasure of their Caribbean identity is a concern for residents, who hope that the people of Greenland will not face the same fate.
- The situation in Greenland is complex, with the U.S. seeking to establish a military presence on the island, and the local population’s role in the decision-making process unclear.
Introduction to the U.S. Virgin Islands
The U.S. Virgin Islands, a territory in the Caribbean, is a place where the legacy of Danish colonialism is still visible. The islands, which were acquired by the United States in 1917, have a unique cultural identity shaped by their history, geography, and the people who live there. The islands’ cities and street signs still bear Danish names, and the buildings feature yellowish-red bricks brought from Denmark. However, the islands are also home to a vibrant Caribbean culture, with colorful costumes, drum-driven melodies, and a distinct identity that is separate from both Denmark and the United States.
The Annexation of the U.S. Virgin Islands
The annexation of the U.S. Virgin Islands by the United States in 1917 was a significant event in the islands’ history. The purchase, which was made for $25 million, was motivated by strategic reasons, including the desire to secure new trade routes and prevent adversaries from dominating the region. At the time, the United States was seeking to assert its dominance in Latin America, and the acquisition of the islands was seen as a way to achieve this goal. However, the inhabitants of the islands, who were not given a say in the acquisition, were not granted United States citizenship until more than a decade later. It wasn’t until 1970 that islanders were given the right to vote for their own governor, and even today, citizens of the U.S. Virgin Islands do not have the right to vote for president and do not have a voting representative in Congress.
Reflections on Greenland
The situation in Greenland, where the United States is seeking to establish a military presence, has drawn parallels with the annexation of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands, who have experienced the effects of colonialism and Americanization, are empathizing with the people of Greenland and worrying about their potential loss of identity and autonomy. Felipe Ayala, a member of the St. Thomas Historical Trust, noted that the recent conversations about Greenland have been mostly private, but that people are concerned about the international actions happening in their backyard. The arrival of two Navy aircraft carriers in the U.S. Virgin Islands in December, which was part of the Trump administration’s efforts to disrupt drug trafficking and capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, has also raised concerns about the militarization of the region.
Concerns about Americanization
Stephanie Chalana Brown, an Afro-Caribbean visual historian with deep roots in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is concerned about the potential Americanization of Greenland. Brown, whose ancestors were among the first enslaved by Danish colonial powers, is worried that the people of Greenland will face the same threat of losing their identity and autonomy that her relatives did. She noted that the U.S. Virgin Islands have experienced a loss of their Caribbean identity due to Americanization, and that she hopes that the people of Greenland will not face the same fate. Brown also questioned whether the people of Greenland are being brought to the table to discuss policies and decisions about their land, and whether they will have a say in their own future.
The Future of Greenland
The situation in Greenland is complex, with the U.S. seeking to establish a military presence on the island, and the local population’s role in the decision-making process unclear. The details of the emerging agreement between the U.S. and Denmark remain murky, and it is unclear what the future holds for the people of Greenland. However, one thing is certain: the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, who have experienced the effects of colonialism and Americanization, are watching the situation in Greenland with interest and concern, and are hoping that the people of Greenland will be able to maintain their autonomy and identity in the face of external pressures.
