“Sheriff John Brown always hated me,

For what, I don’t know,

Every time I plant a seed,

He said kill it before it grow,

He said kill them before they grow.”

— Bob Marley

Bermuda has a gold mine of young people full of talent, potential and intellectual brilliance. We must involve these young people, for they are the young people of today but the leaders of tomorrow. Generation Next.

The Government has been in negotiation with two non-Bermudian entities who plan to rebuild the LF Wade International Airport. Many Bermudians, regardless of political affiliation, social status or race, have expressed their discontent with the proposed course that the Government seeks to take. On an island such as ours, why is a $255 million airport necessary? Why is it necessary in a time when visitor arrivals are at record lows. Why is it that the contracts weren’t tendered for bidding to local contractors? Why the lack of transparency with the negotiations? Why was there no public consultation before contracts were signed? Why didn’t we look to support Bermudians?

These are just some of the questions young Bermudians concerned for the future of their island home have asked in response to the Government’s plan.

There was a petition started regarding the Government’s proposed airport project. In response to the petition, which has garnered more than 500 signatures in just a few days, David J Sullivan, in an attempt to belittle the efforts, went on to suggest that those young people signing the petition were not “real voters”; and that the group should “let us know when the petition gets past 14,186 signatures of ‘real voters’.”

Sir,

1, Thank you for revealing how you and many others truly feel; thank you for the motivation.

2, There is no “us” and “you”. Young people truly do believe in a better Bermuda for all, not a select few.

It’s a shame that individuals such as this would choose to degrade young Bermudians.

For revealing how you and many others truly feel about young Bermudians, we thank you. This type of mindset and arrogance is embedded in the present Government, its proposed policies and the manner in which it seeks to implement them.

Many share the sentiments that can best be described by the lyrics of Michael Jackson: “They don’t really care about us.”

There is a wealth of potential inside of every young Bermudian. As such, there are those who fear your innate value and spend much time, energy and effort trying to obscure the truth and to diminish your light. Be not daunted by those who share those views or who attack your beliefs and actions.

Young people, your voice truly does matter and your potential is immeasurable. The youth of today, but leaders of tomorrow. Generation Next.