Discussion about entry: Using Sport for Social Change- St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands

Posted on Dec 5, 2008 by Dean Doeling

This is discussion about Using Sport for Social Change- St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

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Mar, 12/09/2008 - 13:33
Stephani Kobayashi Stevenson

I think this is a great idea, Dean. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions on how to raise initial capital to start programming at this scale and whether anyone in this network or community has suggestions on what you can do to partner with other like minded organizations that want to invest in the USVI. Thank you so much for submitting your entry!
Stephani
Nike

Vie, 12/12/2008 - 05:59
ziba cranmer

Hey Dean,
Glad to see you here and I hope that this will indeed be another piece of the puzzle! Couple of questions for you - I dont know much about the culture/ traditions in Bermuda, but curious what the specific barriers to getting girls to participate in sport in BVI (I did see that you mentioned pregnancy...)?

Also wondering how much it would take (fiat and ferrari versions) for this initiative to run sustainably - this will help the changemakers community think through ideas for raising capital - to Steph's point.

Thanks!
Ziba

Vie, 12/12/2008 - 19:25
Dean Doeling

Thanks Ziba,

Just a correction, this initiative is for the U.S. Virgin Islands. NOT Bermuda.

In speaking with Paul, the Executive Director of the St. John Community Foundation, he does not see a problem at all with girls/women playing sports. He only wishes they had more participating in the programs. Paul says that in this culture, girls are not considered as being equal when it comes to sports. Opportunities are far fewer than they are for boys. Culturally, it is backward as girls and women are considered child bearers and objects rather than being equal. This is contrary to the reality that as women become older, it is a very matriarchal society where women literally are in charge. So, girls in sports is sort of against the local cultural concept that they should be planning to be home makers and mothers. This, of course, is not always true but it is a norm that can’t be ignored.

Sports for girls, including co-ed could provide a way of changing those kinds of attitudes. There have been attempts to create girls-only sports (softball and basketball) but have largely failed on St John. The larger islands of St Thomas and St Croix have had more success and more organization. St. John girls have to travel to St Thomas to participate in virtually all sports since none exist specifically on St John.

There is evidence of a gang culture on St John. Not violent but kids seem to be mimicking stateside gang cultures here. Drugs, like everywhere are a concern. There is growing evidence of more violent crimes although St John is noted for its relatively low crime rate as compared to the rest of the Virgin Islands which has very high violent crimes, drug use and competition for the drug trade. Teen pregnancy is a big issue but it seems to be condoned in this culture. A boy who impregnates a girl here does not feel the same scorn as it would may happen in the states. In fact boys and men are proud of the “gift” they give. Also, they very often do not support their children as the matriarchal society simply takes in the child. Very often, married men have several children out of their own marriage, which is condoned. All these things affect how a girl may move forward in the society and often feel that sports is simply not an option.

I sincerely hope that anyone with a fondness for the Virgin Islands, the Caribbean or youth in general will help with this initiative in some way.

Thank you!
Dean