Dear Sir,

The ultimate goal of life is to find out who we are as individuals to best equip ourselves to be successful in an ever changing and highly competitive world.

But it is ultimately how we come to find ourselves that shapes us and determines who we are as not only individuals but as a nation.

Who we are as individuals directly reflects our collective identity as a country. Who we are determines the outcome of our destiny for a better tomorrow for not just ourselves but for our nation as a whole.

Our success for both ourselves and our country depends solely on who we are and whether or not our collective identity together has a solid enough foundation and structure to sustain productivity over the course of time. So the question must be asked. Who are we?

Are we the type of people who pervert the course of justice? Are we the type of people who falsely accuse others and judge them for their flaws? Are we the type of people who turn their backs on others in their time of need? Are we the type of people who abuse their power in the law to make unlawful and unjust decisions for personal gain?

Are we the type of people who allow race to prejudice us? Are we the type of people who make their own decisions with total disregard for the law? Are we the type of people who develop personal vendettas against other people and discriminate against them as a result?

Are we the type of people who slander the name of others with lies? Are we the type of people who harass individuals on a constant basis outside the means of the law? And are we the type of people who torment others with constant harassment and abuse?

The answer is simple. As the Bible says, a fool finds chastisement in his own folly, and the truth is that the collective identity of this nation is but a bunch of fools.

It is time that this country is exposed to exactly what transpires in a country where law, order, justice and equality is non-existent and fairness is impossible to find.

So who are we? After years of deep investment into this Island by many of our people, it is a deep disappointment to learn that no one truly knows who we are and what our collective identity is providing only ambiguity when life demands a definitive answer. But all of the debris within the structure and the cracks in the foundation of this Island clings to its people like a layer of smoke. The sad reality is that Bermuda is truly detached from what it truly means to have justice.

But this is the shaking reality here in our own country. We are the type of people who pervert the course of justice. We are the type of people who falsely accuse others and judge them for their flaws.

We are the type of people who turn their backs on others in their time of need. We are the type of people who abuse their power in the law to make unlawful and unjust decisions for personal gain. We are the type of people who allow race to prejudice us. We are the type of people who make their own decisions with total disregard for the law. We are the type of people who develop personal vendettas against other people and discriminate against them as a result.

We are the type of people who slander the name of others with lies. We are the type of people who harass individuals on a constant basis outside the means of the law. And we are the type of people who torment others with constant harassment and abuse. Yes, that is exactly the kind of Island we’re living in, Bermuda. I know this from first-hand experience of going through the process of being treated in a like manner for so long.

Is this the collective identity that you would want your Island to portray?

Here’s a little secret. Nobody is perfect. Perfection doesn’t exist. As a man rooted in Christ, I am not ashamed to admit my own flaws and shortcomings, because as the Bible states, we all fall short of the glory of God. But this Island has become too blind to see beyond the tip of its own nose to recognise its own flaws and the time has come for their eyes to be opened.

I was just recently released from Westgate Correctional Facility after serving an 18-month prison sentence for ultimately something that was severely sensationalised, over-dramatised, misrepresented and taken out of context that portrayed me in a false light and as a result cost me everything to my name.

But this isn’t about me. I know who I am and live myself fully and do not in any way care what anyone has to say about me as a person because I have the unwavering confidence to know that I’m not in any way perfect and realise that everybody has made mistakes no matter how big or how small.

This is an attempt to speak to the hearts of the people of this Island in an attempt to instil much necessary change in the many areas of the criminal justice system in our society so that these things that I’ve gone through do not keep happening to anyone else. The cognitive, collective identity of who we are as a people is exactly who I identified in this letter, a people who do not know justice.

The criminal justice system and all of its branches are emanating with individuals with the vindictive, collective identity described.

The slander, racial discrimination, prejudice, harassment and overall abuse that I have endured over my 18-month prison sentence and that has continued through my period of probation today directly exposes the criminality and vindictive nature that so badly needs to be reformed for this Island to survive and not crumble.

CHRISTOPHER CORDAY, Sandys Parish

• On occasion The Royal Gazette may decide to not allow comments on what we consider to be a controversial or contentious story. As we are legally liable for any slanderous or defamatory comments made on our website, this move is for our protection as well as that of our readers.