2 October, 2014

Dear Sir,

Certainly Dr Eva Hodgson could be forgiven for not knowing the difference between the Honourable R Wayne Scott, and myself, Wayne B Scott, notwithstanding we are both JPs. I thought by now that most people knew that I, Wayne B Scott, am the letter writer, and would not want to cause any confusion or problems for the Minister.

By the way, I am the senior of the two, and not the Minister’s father as often asked.

I, however, have been afforded another opportunity to highlight that local radio is live streamed on the world wide web, and intemperate black and white vitriol is not helpful in the recovery of this island, that is home to all Bermudians! To call this a vicious attack on all my black brethren leaves me aghast, why on earth would I ever be thought to have such a desire is ridiculous.

I write letters about things which I am passionate, and the repudiation of the racial divide is very close to the top of my list. I am driven by the fatherhood of God, and the brotherhood of man through the redemption of the Christian gospel, and therefore acutely aware of man’s inhumanity to man in many of its forms.

I did not use language to antagonise anybody, let alone single out black Bermudians for special rebuke, this country has an inglorious past of segregation and oppressive policies aimed at blacks perpetrated by whites that is the historical record.

One thing is very clear, is the fact that nothing will change the past, and we should learn that we do not want to repeat any kind of oppression to fellow human beings accepting the fact that certain bad behaviours continue to this day. We must move on to better treatment of each other. Man is fallen and in need of change provided by conversion of faith in Christ by God’s grace.

In Bermuda presently we have deep seated racial prejudice, resentment by some very bitter and angry people in need of healing for the betterment of our country. I see no evidence of these people forming the majority of Bermudians as most of us I believe possess feelings of goodwill.

I live in a wonderful island that has come a long way in many respects and acknowledge that all is not perfect racially but we are gracious and genuine in our efforts for equal treatment of all regardless of skin colour with continuing commitment in this area for many decades.

For Dr Hodgson’s information I am a man and a child of God before anything else, with convictions, beliefs and core values influenced by Biblical precepts that happens to have black skin.

My skin colour is something in which I had no choice therefore I am neither proud or ashamed of being black and have made the choice to be the best human being I can be to the glory of God my saviour and redeemer!

I bristle, and am deeply offended by the wrong-headed assertion that appealing to my country to be mindful of racial and hateful vitriol is aimed at black Bermudians for censure, nothing could be further from my intentions. No one has the last word on race, or the right to interpret, or spin, the discourse on what is a very emotive issue that we all have the right to speak.

I do not need Dr Hodgson’s validation, or approval, on matters of race, and most respectfully suggest that hers is not the last word. The political narrative and its interpretation is something I have a lot of time for but I will defer that for another day.

People have a right to an opinion and should not be dismissed, or told off, because other people of your racial group think differently from you, and assume they have the right to tell you how to think, and what to say, because of the colour of your skin.

What a sad commentary and lack of growth. Now that is antagonistic!

Wayne B Scott