December 17, 2013

Dear Sir,

I am a former expatriate of Bermuda, who loves the Island and hopes to return someday. I like to keep abreast of happenings on the Island, and one way of doing so is to read the letters sent to you.

I was in Bermuda all in all for 10 years and was quite often referred to as a “white racist job stealing foreigner” by my black (may I say black without offending) acquaintances. Yes I am white and yes I was a foreigner; however my black girlfriends could testify to me not being a racist, and the fact that during my ten years, not one single Bermudian (black or otherwise) ever applied for my job, shows I stole a job from no one.

Most “discussed” in your letters seem to be the following:

Politics: there seems to be a tit-for-tat contest, blaming one government or another for the Island’s problems. Has it never occurred to anyone, that the problems may not be due to a particular party, but to there being too many government employees? Maybe someone could come up with the ratio of employee per square mile, and compare it with other countries? When many people with their own agenda are involved, nothing happens. Could less people but more work for each be the solution?

Racism: contrarily to popular belief, racism is not just White hating Black. There are scientifically four races on the planet: White, Black, Oriental and Aborigine. So by definition, racism is the hatred of any one of the above, of one or more of the others, including, Black hating White. Given that the population of Bermuda is 70% Black and 30% White, it is debatable therefore that 70% of the racists in Bermuda are Black. Maybe something to think about the next time one looks in the mirror.

The Regiment: conscription may not be popular, but would a “volunteer army” be the solution? Would Bermuda be able to find enough volunteers to make it viable? And if the Regiment closed, what would happen to the barracks? Cheap housing for those in need? Or the next meeting place for drug addicts and fugitives. The solution is simple. Make the conscripts understand that they can get something positive from it, but only if they want to. Skills can be taught to those who are willing, so why not make the best of something compulsory. A conscript will only hate the Army if he keeps that frame of mind. As a former British reservist, I wanted to transfer to the Regiment when I came to Bermuda, but unfortunately it would have clashed with my job. If you are going to go, go willingly and get the best out of it.

Employment: Remember that guest workers are only in Bermuda because the government let them/us in. Why? Two reasons. One, some have the skills that Bermudians lack, skills which can be vital. Two, we are willing to do jobs that Bermudians (mostly Black Bermudians) are unwilling, stress the word unwilling, to do. Look at Hospitality as an example. Middle managers, waiters, receptionists, etc. They are not “specialised” jobs; But involve working shifts, nights, long hours, public holidays and having a minimum of stamina and decorum.

Any Bermudian could do those jobs, if he/she wanted to. So, do not blame the expats for doing a job you do not want to do. It is the height of hypocrisy. Your government knows the Island’s economy depends on the presence of expats. But try explaining that to someone who still thinks that Bermuda is the centre of the universe, Whites still owe Blacks everything generations after the last slaver died, and who then threatens to have you deported.

New hotels: why build more when existing ones are empty? They will not attract more tourists and not generate more jobs for locals. If unemployed Bermudians wanted to work in hotels, they would be doing so already.

Housing: surprised when you see three, four generations in the same house? As an elder Black Bermudian friend of mine once said, “we have children having children”. The population growth will soon be unsustainable for the amount of land, but expelling expats for their lodgings will not solve the problem. Yes it is a basic human right to have children, but it is also the kid’s right to be taken care of, and not running in parks at night and trespassing on private grounds.

The solution for the previous two issues holds in four simple words: Less sex more work. But which politician will have the guts to stand up and say it?

Independence: I am no expert, but once the UK is no longer a guarantor, when Bermudians have to come home because they cannot milk the UK system anymore, and when every investment company have sent their data to an Island who wants their money …. Then what? How long did it take other islands to recover from independence? Some have not, even now.

So the next time the subject comes up, maybe someone could read the small print, and make sure everyone knows the price to pay?

But, who am I to say these things? I am only a foreigner who spent ten years on Island, who participated in the economy and who was more respectful of the law than many a Bermudian I was friends with.

I look forward to reading the “constructive and non-biased” reviews my words will generate.

Thank you

Christos Ioanou

an ex-expat.