U.S. Virgin Islanders: A People's Quest for Self-Governance

FAIN: BC-50228-04

Virgin Islands Humanities Council (St. Thomas, VI 00802)
Oswin Sewer (Project Director: May 2004 to September 2006)

A series of activities, including a scholarly conference, public lecture series, oral history interviews, and a student essay contest, that explore questions of self-determination, political process and national identity.

The people of the United States Virgin Islands have been struggling with self-determination since 1917. Although legislation since then has extended the political rights of our citizens, we are still, technically, a colony without a constitution. To deepen public awareness and understanding about the issues shaping our political future, the Virgin Islands Humanities Council is requesting $27,874 in order to plan and sponsor a lecture/discussion series, a video series, and an essay contest.