It is not just the glitter of the Bermuda Day Parade, and the half-marathon event, along with countless picnics and other events to be staged this month, but the real meaning behind it all runs far deeper. Many of our seniors who have toiled over decades to make Bermuda better have much to ponder, both negative and positive about our journey to this stage. What is so vitally important is that, despite having to deal with institutional social injustice borne out of post-slavery policies that created racial barriers that needed to be torn down, right-thinking Bermudians of all races knew the island would not improve with such a divisive climate that hampered progress for black citizens. That was the spirit that kept the flame of justice burning beneath the surface, despite efforts by those reluctant to accept a new day when all Bermudians would be treated as equals in a free society.

The road to where we are at the moment was paved in a long and hard struggle with heroes on both sides who were willing to disregard bitter opposition from some who felt there was no need to change anything about a social structure that prevented people from participating fully in community life on the basis of their race.

When reflecting on that testing time for Bermuda, one must be careful not to become too immersed in the dark side of the past, which cannot be rewritten and should not be relived. Despite the gross social injustice of that period, there were black and white people who found ways to circumvent the system to form good healthy relationships, They knew that it was wrong to allow such a system to exist, but they also knew that removing it would be far from uneventful. Nevertheless, it had to be removed.

A significant quality of that period was that the average Bermudian family, black and white, had more discipline and respect within the home, with a no-nonsense approach to stepping out of line with rudeness or failing to comply with family rules. It was perhaps that quality that helped in the long, tedious task of learning that no one person or group should feel superior based on skin colour.

However, Bermuda experienced a number of violent episodes along the way, as it became clear that there was no room for racial discrimination in the quest to build a democracy that would benefit all.

Similar to Britain, America and other countries, it also became clear that changing policies on paper is easier than changing sentiments of the heart. The struggle in that area continues to this day.

Heritage Month is special because it is also a time to teach our young people that what we have today should be celebrated because much sacrifice was made by those who simply wanted a better Bermuda. A Bermuda without hatred or ill feelings towards someone who happened to be different.

If only we could recapture some of that old-fashioned Bermudian spirit of sharing, which existed during the war years, when conditions were really tough for most families. I saw at first hand fishermen in a St David’s family who would return from a fishing trip and drop fish off on the doorstep of a neighbour without waiting for money. The same thing happened with vegetables because the need to help each other was a part of community life.

Although Bermuda is experiencing a tough time economically, nothing going on today could compare to hardships back then, and yet most people felt quite safe at work and in their homes.

Heritage Month is a good time to reflect on what makes Bermuda special, even though a breakdown of our value structure over the years has resulted in disturbing attitude changes. We need strong families with solid values if we hope to improve life on our island home. Let’s use this Heritage Month as a new beginning for keeping Bermuda on course towards even greater things.