Just wanted to let you know how fascinated I am with all the discussion about who is and who is not a Dominican. I am thinking we need to really define what being a Dominican means. Or maybe have different categories of Dominicans much the same way that organisations have different classes of membership.I have three daughters all of whom were born at the Princess Margaret Hospital. They all hold Dominican passports and consider themselves Dominican. I brought them up to be Dominican and that was a strong thread of their upbringing no matter where we lived over the years. So I made sure they spent vacation months in Dominica every year in order to retain their accents and grow in appreciation for their country. So they enjoy Dominican food and Dominican music. They defend Dominica no matter where they find themselves. They have been very clear with their peers and friends in our various overseas postings that Dominica is their choice for a vacation. They can each tell you of all the fun things to do in Dominica and I have heard them say to people that there are more things to do in Dominica than in many of the other OECS countries. My eldest daughter is married to a US citizen and refused to give up her Dominican citizenship and only began considering getting a US passport after they refused to allow her to change planes in Paris with her Dominican passport a couple years ago. She has bought land in Dominica and is about to build because she intends to settle there sooner rather than later. My youngest daughter left Dominica when she was 3 weeks old. She is at UWI – Mona pursuing studies in medicine. She has a great desire to come back and work in Dominica regardless of what her peers think. When the Dominica Association at Mona needed a Dominica Flag for Independence celebration this year, guess from whom they got it. Now based on all the arguments I have been seeing in the media over the past few months, my daughters would all be classed as non-Dominican or not Dominican enough. I am not quite sure how they would take that.
On the broader scale, why did we have all the discussion some years ago about developing the links with the Diaspora, welcoming their contributions and repatriation of funds to Dominica, integrating them more fully into development efforts? We also claimed we wanted to draw on their skills and abilities. Is that still our intention? Why do political parties journey to New York and London and other cities overseas to woo “Dominicans”. The whole thing seems confusing to me. Mark you, I understand people wanting to object to the manner in which a matter may have been dealt with at the political level. But while you object to that do you at the same time trash other policies that you have pursued for distinct benefits?
What keeps fascinating me even more, is how even the “educated” refuse to ascertain the facts to support their arguments.
Verieux Mourillon
You are whatever the LAW says you are.
Being born in the UK does not automatically make you a British citizen.
Being born in France does not automatically make you a French citizen.
Being born in Dominica automatically makes you Dominican.
Regardless what anyone may think it means nothing unless the law states it.
Did Baroness Scolalnd ever apply for a Dominican passport? After all, with her British passport she does not need a Dominican one, unless of course Skerrit give her a diplomatic one and I would not put that past him either.
Fort, you are playing a smart a on Ms Scotland password you will see place of birth Dominica, and tell that to sh… for brains Linton too.
The answers to all this are situated in the Holy Bible. In the beginning was the word and the word was with god and the word was “GOD” Babel TOWER “CONFUSION” THOSE WHO COULD UNDERSTAND English move with the English and those who could understand French move with the French. Strangers shall clean your vineyard. Dominicans see their country as a cadge where all should remain equal. If you are educated and have money you are not suppose to be in Dominican. Dominicans go overseas and help others to develop their country. If visitors come to help to improve Dominica they disapprove. they should read the bible to expand their power and learn to understand.
I could not of written this any better if I tried. I am eagerly anticipating the response from my fellow Dominicans.
Your argument is a passionate one but it pertains to you personally and your immediate family. Baroness Scotland was born a Britsh subject and left Dominica for a new life in the U.K. as a subject of her Majesty the Queen. This was pre-independence and Dominican citizenship was still a long way off. I don’t know off anyone, who left Dominica under similar circumstances, who has voluntarily swapped their U.K. citizenship for an exclusively Dominican one, most of them having opted for dual citizenship as they are entitled to. It was Gt. Brain that provided the opportunity to achieve what she did, as a British citizen. The incidence of her place of birth does not alter that.
I don’t care where you grew up or how old you left Dominica …the fact is you are still a Dominican ….because even if you have became an American citizen the American passport will still remind you that you are a Dominican born.so once a Dominican will always be a Dominican. …a leopard can’t
change it spots.
Well said
Sorry I missed your point Sir- or rather is there one? Who said your and your daughters are not Dominican? Based on you article I can only think it is the French authorities in Paris.
If you were making a political point about voting etc- you failed!!!
From your argument my simple “objective” definition of a Dominican would have to be someone born in the country.There is no 7 out of 10 subjective characteristics or action that can be used to define a “DOMINICAN”
How did we become “DOMINICANS” anyway.
Heru. is that what our government tells people who buy our passport? That, by objective fefinition, they are not Dominicans? By your definition Dominicans, who have a U.S. passport but were born in Dominica can not be true U.S. citizens? Carcon, you better have your head examined.
Excellent contribution!!!
Your so right but I guess that’s what happen to a people who elect great talkers like Lennox to lead them and never stops to think.
in answer to your question as to who is and who is not a Dominican. I guess it would be safe to assume that you are asking that question in view of the controversy surrounding the baroness Scotland saga. let us examine the question in depth. being born in Dominica of course makes you a Dominican. how ever if you leave for a foreign land never to return or to only return a couple of time in 50 or 60 years says something about you and your wanting to belong to your country. you and your daughters would not be thought of in the same light because like you said you have never forgotten where you came from. you have people who left Dominica and never return. they are Dominican by birth but their predominant nationality is that of the country for which they have practiced allegiance their entire lives. to say you are Dominican when it is convenient is in itself a selfish act. I for one believe that one should never forget where they came from.
Com Si di I want to know about your children. 75% of the article is about your children. Wait for family gathering to talk about your children and who they marry, their intention to build wherever.Tonere
It doesn’t really matter who is a Dominican, or not. It seems that Mr. Obama may not even be an American citizent – so there! http://consciouslyenlightened.com/breaking-obama-college-records-released-financial-aid-as-a-foreigner/
Well writer they don’t care how they use the diaspora people because they are the very ones championing their cause on Facebook. I hate that feeling I have inside of me today, just because these men wants power they are willing to turn to the devil and damn our beloved country to hell.
Well said sir! They love the money, the barrel and the clothes ,but they hate our faces. What a shame!
Dear Ms. Mourillon. By definition, those who purchase our Citizenship and carry a Dominican passport, without ever having visited the island, are Dominican too. In fact they can vote and have a say in our affairs. Does that make them Dominican?
Your forebears the Mourillons came from France, and you are related to the Baroness, which incidentally may be seen to colour your argument. Does that make you French? My forebears certainly came from Africa, with Caucasian – and Carib blood along the way. . Does that make me African?
In the case of Patrica Scotland one can not deny that she has roots in Dominica but her record, since her birth shows that she is first and foremost British. She is married to a British barrister, her two sons were born and educated there, she maintains at least two residences there, was a Minister of Government and an A.G. to boot. She is a member of the House of Lords at Westminster. Her first allegiance therefore is to Gt. Britain. She is British !
Titiwi, agreed. I am British also because when I was born Dominica was still British. The only non-British people born in Dominica are those born after Dominica became Independent of Great Britain. People need to be aware of the difference.
I remember that so well. In fact after Dominica became independent those people from Dominica living in the U.K. had to chose between either A Dominican passport or a new British one. Of course, most of us chose for the British one and I am sure Patricia Scotland did the same. We don’t need a Dominican passport to travel to Dominica or live there. In fact it is a handicap even though I love the country. That is simply a fact and I do not believe those of us who say it is not so.
Mr Mourillon excellent piece. Well I am very sorry for your daughters because according to the gospel of the Leader of the Opposition your daughters would be dominantly American and as such would not be able to be nominated by Dominica for any regional or international post no matter how qualified they are..
The above hypothetical comment is so pathetic and out of place. Your daughter who left Dominica at three weeks old has the very same Dominican birth right as my self who has lived here all my life. Therefore all your daughters are equally Dominican no matter where they are in the world making their contribution
Very well said, Vow.
Your writing is like you were carefully walking on egg shells.What are you afraid of? Are you Dominican? If you are, stop the trepidation, and write garcon.Well based on what you said/wrote about your children, I would undoubtedly see them as real Dominicans.Proud ones.But what has Baroness done or contributed to Dominica? NADA/nothing!!! Holding a Dominican passport in my view is not enough to even have a school named after you, when everyone knows that your contribution to the country is ,,,ZERO!Thats why we need men and not boys to govern a country!
My friend happy to read. about your family, your children, all Dominicans. There is no question.
Also there is a difference where one left Dominica in early years and has not been back, seen to have or shown any interest and latter years emerge as having been actively engage in Dominica.
You are right, anyone born in Dominica is a Dominican, however what is in question is someone emerging, or identified as a practicing Dominican and use as a political /convenioence for own use. It is unfair.
Good luck to you and your family