Call for Cultural Vigilance After Flag Controversy
Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline urges Virgin Islanders to be vigilant in preserving their culture following a controversy where the Virgin Islands flag was improperly flown below the South African flag at a popular Road Town establishment. He emphasizes the importance of respect for local culture amidst the territory's diverse population.
In a recent episode of his 'Honestly Speaking' show, Pastor Claude O. Skelton-Cline addressed a growing concern about cultural respect in the Virgin Islands. This concern was sparked in July 2025, when patrons of the Watering Hole, a well-liked restaurant and bar in the heart of Road Town, Tortola, noticed that the Virgin Islands flag was not only positioned below the South African flag but also hung upside down.
This incident has ignited a debate about cultural awareness and respect in a territory that prides itself on its diversity, being home to approximately 120 different ethnicities. Pastor Skelton-Cline took this opportunity to remind Virgin Islanders of the importance of vigilance in protecting and promoting their culture.
According to him, the misplacement and mishandling of the flag were not mere oversights but rather reflective of a broader issue of cultural insensitivity. 'You respect the people’s culture. Those things are not accidental or incidental. Those things happen intentionally because we have let down the guards; we have let down the gates in this country,' he stated, underscoring the collective responsibility to safeguard cultural heritage.
Moreover, Skelton-Cline argued that outrage alone is insufficient. He called for the implementation of policies, along with the enforcement of rules, regulations, laws, and legislation, to ensure that the Virgin Islands' culture is not just preserved but respected by all who live in or visit the territory. 'It is not enough to be outraged; it's not sufficient.
Courage is to do what needs to be done to ensure that the culture is preserved,' he elaborated. The incident at the Watering Hole serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in maintaining cultural integrity in an increasingly diverse society. As the Virgin Islands continue to welcome people from across the globe, the words of Pastor Skelton-Cline highlight the critical balance between embracing multiculturalism and protecting the cultural heritage that defines the Virgin Islands.
Primary source: VINO