Op-Ed: The Fight for Land and Identity in the U.S. Virgin Islands: Gentrification in the Wake of Natural Disasters

As a Virgin Islander, this cuts deep. We’ve heard it referred to as “climate gentrification.” Natural disasters, worsened by climate change, allow wealthier outsiders to buy up land while locals, many of whom are descendants of those who fought for this land, are left with nothing. The land that holds the stories of our ancestors, that carries the weight of our history, is being sold to the highest bidder.

Land in the Virgin Islands isn’t just an economic asset—it’s part of who we are. It’s sacred. But at the rate things are going, future generations of Virgin Islanders may not have any land left to call their own. What will be left for them? Will they have a place to stand? Or will they only be able to drive by, sail by, or fly over the land that once belonged to their families?

We must take a stand. Virgin Islanders need to protect what little land remains in our hands. This isn’t just about survival—it’s about preserving our way of life. If we don’t act now, our islands could become a playground for the rich, and we’ll be left watching from the sidelines as our culture and identity erode before our eyes.