by K.G. Bethlehem
Now, at last, after a few months of forgetting the continuation, this is my final journey in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. The trip was very fruitful, exciting, enjoyable, relaxing and an arc of forgiveness in many ways. You see, I had a great friend who passed away. His name was Corey Lynch. A good brother, smart, compassionate about people, society and family. I was invited by his mother, Mrs. Lynch to visit and took the opportunity after years of not going. The island, the city felt like home and much like home it felt calm and safe.
I was taken to various parts of the islands, most of them that made up the US Virgin Islands. It was new to me but as I alluded to before, it felt like calm. Relaxation was my bedfellow. De’nee and Mrs. Lynch were so kind to me as their humanity are always a reminder of that wonderful time.
The last trek was the sugarcane plantations of St. John Island. These plantations stood, all in ruin but serve as a reminder of the evil of enslaving people for monetary goals of racial, white supremacy. As you can see from the videos, the slave quarters. The ovens and the grinders for the sugarcane. You can see the windmills that help issued power to the plantation along with view uphill of were the cane mostly grew at. St. John Island, well close to half of it is controlled by the US National Park Service, these ruins are deemed historical and the national parks sustains such history in general.
Hopefully, I will go back to the islands, visit and talk amongst my people. It stood as a test of time, from pirates, slave owners, civil rights and the successes of black folks regardless of racism and classism, they are unique citizens of the United States and for that, I am grateful walking its soil.
Peaceful journey Mr. Lynch…
KG Bethlehem 