Social Justice

As Americans discuss the mid-term elections: very little is said about the greatest force in the present political landscape– African American women. Black women in America are exerting unacknowledged force in shaping politics in this country. In a focused motivated manner, black women are determinants of political power –through advocating for specific political action as a group or… Read more »

Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI), ranking member on the Subcommittee on the Interior, Energy and Environment, released the following statement regarding a recent article in the National Review urging Congress not to trust the USVI with post-disaster funds: “It has been my position that the use of post-disaster federal funds to the U.S. Virgin Islands must receive the… Read more »

As Americans begin many of the pastimes of summer that are quintessentially American – baseball, backyard barbeques, family road trips - Caribbean Americans spend the month of June reflecting on their contributions and melded cultures in the United States. Ironically, this June, Congress may vote on an immigration bill that will end the Diversity Visa Lottery program which has allowed… Read more »

I did not have high expectations for this year’s State of the Union address. But I expected that the President would be duty bound to address the devastation wrought by hurricanes Irma and Maria and give his administration’s plans for rebuilding, and therefore I felt it was necessary to be present when that outline was given. I also hoped to hear President Trump’s plan to provide… Read more »

OPINION- Published in the Hill- July 11, 2017 Last week on July 4 we commemorated the Declaration of Independence, the affirmative document outlining the ideals of equality and democracy and upheld as a model around the world. For a small group of Americans, this year is also a centennial milestone. It marks 100 years that the people of the Virgin Islands have been part of the United… Read more »

Just as the newly-convened 115th Congress began this week, Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett brought the issue of unequal treatment of the territories to the forefront. Plaskett took the unprecedented and extraordinary step of interrupting the official vote for Speaker of the House to highlight the fact that the Delegates of the Territories are not allowed to cast their vote… Read more »

Today, Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett applauded President Obama’s announcement that the Administration will take executive action to help reduce and prevent gun violence in America.   “I commend President Obama for taking action to address the gun violence in this country. These are common-sense actions that will mitigate the pandemic level of gun violence occurring… Read more »

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett issued the following statement in response to the mass shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina: “It is with a heavy heart that I offer my condolences to the family and friends of the nine souls whose lives were cut short by an individual who appears to be fueled by great hate as they attended… Read more »

An emphatic address directed to members of Congress by Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett has started a new national conversation on poverty and voting rights in U.S. Territories. Rep. Plaskett’s comments led a segment on voting rights in U.S. Territories on HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver on Sunday March, 8 2015, and has opened a new national dialogue on Voting… Read more »

Virgin Islands Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett on Thursday was among the small number of freshman lawmakers in congress to be named to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.   Plaskett, a former Justice Department Attorney and Counsel to the House Ethics Committee said that she appreciated the leaders of the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee appointing… Read more »