Over the course of four days, Sept. 19 – 22, Virgin Islanders from each island gathered for the “dECOlonial Feelin Symposium,” hosted at Clark Atlanta University and Emory University.
Led by Virgin Islanders Tiphanie Yanique, Hadiya Sewer, La Vaughn Belle, and Tami Navarro, this event encouraged participants to engage in a collective journey of reclaiming ancestral knowledge and the imperative action of “decolonizing decolonization.” The symposium explored the four elements—earth, wind, water, and fire—through diverse forms of art and intellectual discourse.
Part I: Reimagining Decolonization
The symposium commenced with panelists sharing their interpretations of “decolonizing decolonization.” La Vaughn Belle, a noted Virgin Islands artist, introduced the element of fire through her impactful artwork, which involved meticulously and skillfully “cutting and burning” archival images. She emphasized the need to center enslaved Black bodies in historical narratives often constructed by oppressors.
Yanique, a professor at Emory University and award-winning author and poet, represented water with her engaging storytelling. She challenged the stereotype that people of African descent fear water by recounting the story of an enslaved man who escaped to Tortola, utilizing his deep understanding of the sea and swimming skills. This narrative highlighted the rich maritime heritage of enslaved Africans who were brought by force to the then-Danish West Indies.
Sewer, a Professor, Africana philosopher, and conscious business advisor, explored the element of earth, addressing contemporary conservation efforts and their implications for marginalized communities. Her reflections prompted a broader discussion about the ongoing challenges of land ownership and legal complexities in the Virgin Islands and also included the philosophical questions posed to the audience “Who blow the conch shell” that ignited the known revolutions in the Virgin Islands and what it means to be human apart from “man.”
Navarro, an assistant professor of Pan-African Studies at Drew University and Cultural Anthropologist, brought the element of air into the conversation, sharing a deeply personal COVID-19 story about her husband’s struggle for breath. She described the difficulties they faced navigating between hospitals and the relevance of economic anthropology. Navarro emphasized how the experience underscored the need for community sovereignty in public health crises.
The four women panelists comprised of the Virgin Islands Studies Collective (VISCO) were interviewed by ancestral Virgin Islander and co-founder of The Gathering Spot, TK Petersen, at Clark Atlanta University. Petersen engaged the panelists on the realities faced by Virgin Islanders and how each of their work and areas of expertise can be applied towards liberating Virgin Islanders from colonial rule.
Economic Progress at the Cost of Many
Navarro also addressed the historical and ongoing impacts of oil refining on St. Croix, recalling how the island had become notorious as “the island where it rained oil.” She spoke candidly about the foul odors, respiratory illnesses, and the dangers posed by liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and benzene, a known carcinogen. Noting the disparity of generational wealth built for the few Virgin Islanders employed by the refinery in comparison to the detrimental health and economic impact to the numbers at large. Drawing a parallel to the Economic Development Commission (EDC), which promotes the hiring of Virgin Islands residents and sourcing from local businesses, this approach offers significantly greater financial incentives for companies based in the territory.
The economic implications of industrial dependency were stark, with Navarro highlighting the significant unemployment rates following the closure of the Hovensa refinery. As St. Croix faced economic stagnation, she emphasized the urgent need for community action, citing the coalition of Black women activists who successfully shut down the Limetree Bay Oil Refinery following the explosions with the rallying cry, “If we’re going to go anywhere, we must go there together.”
Part II: Art, Ritual, and Healing
The symposium featured a compelling art talk led by La Vaughn Belle and Clinton Fluker, curator of African American collections in the Stuart A. Rose Manuscript, Archives, and Rare Book Library, where Belle showcased her striking piece depicting the violent encounter between Christopher Columbus and an indigenous people rising from the water, armed with bow and arrows. This powerful artwork served as the centerpiece of the event, symbolizing resistance and resilience.
Attendees from diverse backgrounds, including Vietnam, Korea, and various Caribbean nations, gathered on the lawn of Clark Atlanta University for an interactive ritual hosted by Sewer. Participants built an ancestral altar, sharing stories of their ancestors and kin-like figures, fostering a collective journey toward healing. The continuous theme of nature as co-conspirators in the plight of indigenous and oppressed peoples resonated throughout the gathering.
The event also featured stilt dancers from the Virgin Islands leading the procession to Belle’s exhibit at Emory University. The art talk prompted discussions about the dual interpretations of Belle’s “cuts and burns”—representing both the visual of scattering of seeds and the layered imagery of Black archival photographs. Belle poignantly reflected on her personal journey through loss, particularly the passing of her mother, as she created her art, describing the process as both frightening and healing.
In her exposition, Sewer raised profound questions about eco-racism and the challenges faced by St. Johnians, who often must travel to St. Thomas for medical care. She emphasized how “the land [of St. John] must wait to greet their newborns,” stressing systemic inequalities in healthcare access.
Sewer drew comparisons between Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett and Audre Lorde, noting that despite their differing backgrounds and methods, both fight for social and racial justice. The symposium also invited honorable guests like Michael Lujan Bevacqua, an author, artist, activist and the curator for The Guam Museum, who advocates for Independent Guåhan (Guam) empowering the Chamoru people to reclaim their sovereignty as a nation.
Yanique moved many to tears with her new, unpublished short story, masterfully exploring the complexities of biracial and blended families. She evokes a sense of nostalgia for the steel pan bands and other cultural touchstones of youth in the Virgin Islands, all while addressing the profound struggles against racism and colonialism. Her narrative tackled harrowing themes of violence, including incest, survival, drowning and the toll of incarceration, exploring how these experiences shape familial bonds and protective instincts in desperate circumstances.
The “dECOcolonialism Feelin Symposium” ignited meaningful dialogue and introspection among Virgin Islanders, the V.I. diaspora, Caribbean descendants, Black Americans, and other colonialized spaces in thought and land. Navarro’s poignant reflections on air as both a life-giving and life-taking force resonated deeply in the discussions, underscoring the vital importance of community and interconnectedness—often an invisible yet essential element. The event aired the powerful roles of art, intellect and ritual in fostering healing and resilience towards the liberation of colonized people and land.
For more information about the Virgin Islands Studies Collective and their upcoming event on St. Croix in 2025, please visit their website.
