The recent posting on Facebook by businessman Rick Olson was bound to be controversial. Depicting black protesters as worthy of being “hanged, drawn, and quartered” could only conjure up images from an era when these things actually happened to blacks — men, women and children.

Whatever the intention of Mr Olson, it was clearly insensitive, inciteful, and wrong. But it would be a missed opportunity to focus on the actions of one man when, based on the number of likes he received, there are many more who think the same way in this “two-Bermudas” island home of ours.

When such acts of racism occur, racial justice advocate Jay Smooth points out that it is important to make a distinction about what was done and who a person is.

For instance, Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda considers the posting, and similar actions of others, racist given the historical context of our development. However, Curb makes no such assertion about Mr Olson and others who may act similarly. The rationale is simple — we do not know these individuals personally so we cannot speak to their character, we can only hold them accountable for their actions.

And by not calling such people racists, it deprives them of the opportunity to deny that they are racists and thus they have to focus on their actions, something that they find far more uncomfortable.

For his part, Mr Olson did not help his situation any. He chose the typical go-to defence of people misunderstanding his heightened sense of humour, although the editor of the daily seemed to have understood it only too well. His defence was textbook white-male privilege.

Thus, Olson’s dismissive attitude not only created, but also has sustained the firestorm in which he now finds himself. His attempt at an apology fell far short of the rationale for uttering one, and gave the clear impression that he was not remorseful.

Mr Olson aside, this is a teachable moment for the two Bermudas. Businesses could use the opportunity to state what their positions and policies are on racism. That should include what they are doing to redress historical injustices.

Curb sensed last year that racial tension in the island was approaching category 5 and decided to launch a hybrid of the South African Truth and Reconciliation process specifically designed for Bermuda.

The first phase is coming to an end and, after evaluating the process, conversations will resume in September. Feedback from diverse participants show we are on the right track, and we understand the Truth and Reconciliation Community Conversations are a work in progress and will adapt to the needs of the participants as we move forward on this journey.

If you and we continue to do nothing, history has taught us that the outcomes are far worse.

If you want to be part of the solution, be engaged in the healing process, we’ll see you in September.

• Lynne Winfield is a representative of Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda