Dear Sir,

I arrived from Michigan to play in the Bermuda Regional Duplicate Bridge Tournament and, as is my habit, picked up the local paper for a view that tourists don’t get. I read with interest your articles and opinion pieces in Friday’s paper regarding Ewart Brown and his companies.

Now, I don’t know enough to, and as a visitor would not, express an opinion as to the merits of the matter. However, I was troubled that Eron Hill played the race card when he wrote that “this is about closing a black-owned business”.

That is a toxic accusation. I have seen how similar attitudes in Detroit after its devastating riots were directed towards white suburban businessmen and investors. This held back the city’s recovery for decades.

Are there no reasons other than racism? What about personal animus or payback? A taxi driver suggested to me that Dr Brown is an outspoken personality who could easily make enemies. Then there is the desire to stick it to a member of the opposing party.

In addition, competing businesses — hospitals? — usually seek economic benefits without regard to race.

However the Ewart Brown matter goes, I urge all Bermudians not to go down Mr Hill’s destructive road.

ROGER H. LEEMIS

Southfield, Michigan