Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda is to streamline its operations owing to fundraising difficulties, it was announced this afternoon.

“Every attempt will be made by CURB volunteers to continue its educational outreach and advocacy work in the community,” the organisation said.

“However it may well be reduced due to lack of resources. Yet the need for CURB’s work in the community is needed more than ever, and is supported by a growing number of people in Bermuda. This is highlighted in a survey taken by CURB last year.

In May 2014, CURB commissioned Profiles of Bermuda to follow up on a previous survey taken in March 2012 to see if there were any changes on the public’s perception about the need for organisations like CURB working towards racial justice and the relevance of their work in the Bermuda community. The question asked was ‘Do you think that there is a need for non-governmental groups in Bermuda, such as CURB, to work towards racial justice?’ The voting public overwhelmingly agreed there was a need at 83 per cent.

“Also in the 2014 Opinion Survey, in response to increasing concern in the community that the educational system is not culturally relevant to the majority of students in the public school system, an additional question was asked, ie, ‘Do you believe that Black Studies or African History should be taught in our Public Schools?’ Again, almost three out of four respondents answered in the affirmative with 74 per cent indicating it was very important.

“The voting public overwhelmingly agreed that there was a need for organisations such as CURB working for racial justice, with 83 per cent of the voting public saying Yes, compared to 79 per cent in 2012, an increase of 4 per cent. Based on race, gender, income and age there were no significant differences. By gender there were minimal differences, whereas age the 35-54 age group at 89 per cent was more in support of the need to work toward racial justice. By race, blacks were more inclined to work towards racial justice at 86 per cent, compared to 80 per cent of whites and 78 per cent of those self-described as ‘Other’. By income, middle-income earners were more inclined to work towards racial justice at 87 per cent, whereas low income earners were less so at 80 per cent.

“With regard to the question on the teaching of Black Studies/African History in the public schools, 74 per cent of total respondents indicated that it was very important, compared to 22 per cent somewhat and 4 per cent indicating no. There were no significant differences by age, income or gender. The age group 35-54 and 55+ respectively thought it was very important (75/76 per cent respectively), with the 18-34 age group indicating 71 per cent thought it very important. By income middle-income earners were more likely to consider it very important (79 per cent), less so by those in the high income (72 per cent). And by gender the results were very similar with 73 per cent males and 75 per cent females thinking it very important. However, by race there were significant differences, meaning that results could not have happened by chance. Nearly nine in ten blacks felt very much that Black History/African Studies should be taught in public schools compared to 52 per cent white and 51 per cent other.

“Methodology — The survey was conducted among 375 voters between 20 March 2014 and 18 May 2014 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 5 per cent. Some 69 per cent of respondents were obtained by landlines, 24 per cent by cellphones and 7 per cent via the internet. Data for all demographics were weighted to reflect the 2010 Census.

“We look forward to the general public’s continued support as CURB works to improve race relations in Bermuda. Please call us on 542-2872 if you want to help further.”