Kishma Penn doubles down on ‘white expat’ land claims

“We do not have to hate white people to hate a system that is clearly benefiting them. ” — Kishma Penn Community activist Kishma Penn has doubled down on her claim that some white expatriates have helped create a system that disadvantages BVIslanders, saying locals should not be expected to play second fiddle to foreigners in their own country. Penn returned to Facebook Live after a recent BVI News article highlighting her claim that white expatriates in the real estate sector were contributing to soaring property prices sparked intense backlash. “I know I’m very unpopular right now, with the ‘white expats’ [story] ,” Penn acknowledged. Rather than retreat from her position, she sought to clarify her argument, saying the problem involves both “greedy BVIslanders” demanding exorbitant prices for land and real estate agents facilitating those transactions.

“We know that it is greedy BVIslanders selling the lands. We not taking that fact away,” Penn said. “We are begging the government for protection against both the real estate agents who are facilitating the sale of this land, which we have a problem with, as well as the greedy BVIslander. ” Penn argued that locals simply cannot compete financially with some foreign buyers, pointing to difficulties accessing financing, limited assets and reduced buying power. “We don’t have the assets, We don’t have buying power, and we do not have the access. And in our own country, we cannot access generational wealth! ” She also pushed back against white expatriates who criticised her previous comments, arguing that BVIslanders should be allowed to demand policies that prioritise them in their homeland. “You don’t get to be first in the United States, in Canada, and the UK, and whatever other…