Honour our heroes correctly

October 10, 2008

Dear Sir,

I'm curious — why is the celebration commemorating Nationals Heroes' Day being held on Sunday October 12, 2008, the day before the public holiday? Perhaps because it clashes with another event and the real reason the public holiday was schedule for Monday, October 13, 2008. Curious of Hamilton Parish ... has prompted people to expect an explanation on why the Mother of Our Nation has to settle for a late afternoon ceremony on the day before the designate date. Bermuda, on Monday October 13, 2008, is National Heroes' Day — a National Holiday. This is the day in which we can then honour Dame Lois with dignity and respect she deserves, rather than rushing through to accommodate hidden agenda. I wonder will each new Hero be introduced this nonchalant way!

DISAPPOINTED

Devonshire North

Whipped by the overseer

October 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

Racism without racism (Royal Gazette, October 16) was not surprisingly, of interest to me. Of particular relevance to black Bermudians – because we are a significant majority in Bermuda – is the comment that "(Blacks have their own unconscious biases, surprisingly often against blacks as well). Not so surprising for those of us who are black. Most of us are very familiar with the charge that many of us believe that "white ice is colder".

However, recently black Bermudians have had to face another reality and, ironically, it has been most blatantly demonstrated by the Premier's consultant on Race Relations!

Many may remember the Premier's dramatic press conference when we were all informed that the Premier's Race Relations Initiative would be localised and Bermudianised. We would do the work that Bernestine Singley's Straight Talk Organisation had been doing. After all the problem will never be solved unless we, as Bermudians, solve it. What actually has happened? The Consultant has continued to bring in very highly paid "foreign experts" once a month (which is not necessarily a bad thing since Bermudians are always more interested in listening to foreigners)

But what is significant is that these events were advertised in full page ads over several weeks and not once where the local BRRI sessions considered of sufficient value or significance to be given even a tiny advertisement, with the obvious consequence that they were considered to be of no importance or of any significance, except for a dedicated core of genuinely concerned black and white residents.

In addition the foreign facilitators of Straight Talk were given a contract which cost taxpayers in the neighborhood, more or less of $111,000 over a period of 11 months (or was it ten).

The Bermudian facilitators, often with more academic qualifications and certainly much wider or broader international experience, were denied a contract and then given, without any consultation, one 50th of what had been paid to the foreigner!

Bermudians, generally, are undisturbed by this disparity of value placed on black Bermudians versus black Americans which, of course, is the reason that it can happen – just as white racism could be practised unchallenged for so long. While black Bermudians can express concern about not" going back to the plantation", they often choose to ignore the fact that the whipping inflicted on black slaves was often done by blacks who were made overseers.

Few of us, as black Bermudians, are prepared to even acknowledge, much less address, this issue because it is easier and a lot more comfortable to address the racism of whites (or rant and rave about whites not turning up to something for Dame Lois'). But we are in the majority and the sting of the whip of the black overseer is even more brutal than that of the white slave master who, in our case, while still powerful, is old and weak and few in number.

It is fairly evident that some of those who "rant and rave" about white racism do so not because they themselves place any value on other black Bermudians. They are, in fact demanding that whites give a value to black Bermudians which they themselves do not give.

I do not pretend to have an answer but having publicly challenged the demeaning of blacks by whites throughout my life, I cannot remain silent when blacks are even more insulting and demeaning to other black Bermudians.

We, as blacks, are in the majority and we are determining the nature of our society.

EVA N. HODGSON

Crawl

Bullies are cowards

September 29, 2008

Dear Sir,

Too many people in the world are being bullied. It's terrible to get up in the morning and know that you will be bullied all day at school or at work. Bullies are cowards! They are insecure and pick on people weaker than they. I am glad that Government has something in place to stop bullies. I hope that the private sector will do something soon. Karen Clemons should be picked as next year's hero.

BEEN THERE TOO

Smith's

Parking over people

October 4, 2008

Dear Sir,

Surprised? No, not at all. Headlines in Saturday's paper of October 4 — "Planning approves Clifton parking lot".

My disappointment and astonishment comes that after a year for a request of Planning extension of the Graveyard at Holy Trinity Church, we were refused! The property is only the size of a postage stamp but is zoned Woodland Reserve! Approximately 20 graves with the existing two palm trees but minus the pepper trees could have alleviated our waiting list for family graves. All requests are not from our congregation, so far. For the information of all denominations in our Parish or elsewhere — there is "no room in the inn". We were not asking for the extension for ourselves but for others. Guess it would seem a parking lot is more important than looking after our loved ones.

K.A. TRERICE

Hamilton Parish

Rather be golfing

October 8, 2008

Dear Sir,

National Heroes Day: The Government, in their wisdom, declared Monday 13th October as a public holiday to celebrate the above. This was at great expense to the local businesses who had not budgeted for such an occasion. Therefore it came as quite a surprise to see that Government were having all of the celebrations for this day on Sunday the 12th. Could the reason for this be that the Premier and his Cabinet Colleagues would rather be at the Mid-Ocean Club watching the PGA than celebrating the true reason for the public holiday?

WILLIAM JOHN GRAHAM

Flatts

A Bermudian hero

October 17, 2008

Dear Sir,

I was saddened to hear of George Smith's death. And what a wonderful tribute VSB-TV paid by signing off last night's newscast with footage of "Bermuda is Another World", with George and his father Hubert taking leads. I recall from a benefit aired a few years ago. I knew both of them well from my days at tourism. Like his father, George was a gentleman in the truest sense of the word.

His passing reminds me of a conversation we had shortly after his father's death. I spoke of my disappointment with the dry, unmelodic and emotionally disconnected Bermuda "National" Song (which happens to have been written by a foreigner, but that's not my point). I told George I wished Government had chosen his father's masterpiece, a song of inherent pride.

George confided that his father would never say it publicly, but he too was very disheartened. Hubert had apparently offered it and got no response.

Hubert was a son of the soil. Like the word diva, this term is used so loosely today. Hubert was the real deal. You want a hero Bermuda? You have Hubert Smith. He should be top of the list for next year's honours. My heart goes out to the Smith family and I hope they are comforted by the fact that all Bermudians have benefited from the Smith musical legacy. Respect – even a statue – of Bermuda's first ambassador of music, is long overdue.

PAMELA H. WILLCOCKS

Smith's parish

Unlikely support

October 20, 2008

Dear Sir,

I appreciate the Letter to the Editor of October 18 from Astrid Black, in response to an assertion in my opinion column of October 8 which stated in passing that Premier Brown has been too narrow in his relationship building with US legislators.

As Ms. Astrid's letter confirms, these diplomatic meet and greets have occurred only twice now. What Ms Black doesn't state, but was widely reported, is that these very recent diplomatic speed dating trips were instigated by the US Consul to try and turn around a formerly close but increasingly neglected relationship between Bermudian and US legislators; one soured by the PLP Government's focus on Cuba among other sideshows.

The Consulate's letter reinforces my column with her facts, detailing the broader pool of US legislators visited as part of the effort to fix the broken relationships. Thank you for helping keep the record straight.

CHRISTIAN DUNLEAVY

Smith's

Recondition our mindset

October 18, 2008

Dear Sir,

When I legally arrived in this country over 30 years ago. There was a cry for strong leadership. I have seen Leaders of various genders, personalities and ethnic back grounds. None of these Leaders in the eyes of Bermudians had the gumption to effectively lead this Country. Enter Dr. Brown. A man with the testicular fortitude to take the proverbial bull by the horns. And right or wrong, gets the job done. Many question. Why all of this security? Why? And the whys? keep popping up. Any effective leader must have a long term plan. One vital element is that of self preservation. I am certain that Dr. Brown sees that at some point someone is going to have a bad hair day and attempt to direct that anger towards him. The onus is on him to ensure that it would not be "a walk in the park" for that person.

There are others issues such as travel, large cars, broken promises, and the never ending list goes on. Some of us bemoan Dr. Brown's visiting our sons and daughters studying abroad, calling it a political ploy. Call it what you may. I personally think it is a good thing. Many students have expressed that it was a good boost to their morale, having the leader of their country taking time out to encourage them to excel and return to Bermuda. Compared to going to a Mets game or visiting a casino? I would say; keep on tricking, Dr. Brown. Make Rhode Island and any other state that has a population of Bermudian students your next visit Dr. Brown. Our students are our future nation movers and shakers. Every dime spent in the interest of Bermuda's most delicate balance, is a wise investment of our taxpaying dollars. We must give credit where credit is due.

We all desire what is best for Bermuda. But few and far between are the ones who are willing to do something to make it happen. This is a question we need to ask ourselves. When I build my dream home do I have to also make plans for that filthy cesspit?" Let us get serious here Bermuda. A strong leader must have foresight. Yes, some heads would roll, some toes would be stepped on. But for the overall good of our beloved Bermuda, let us stop the back stabbing.

The Hon. Paula Cox is not going to be the panacea for Bermuda. What is needed is a coming together of all parties from all three sectors of the fence. And work together for the good of our Country. Yes. Three sectors. The pros, the cons and the most destructive of all, the ones who sit on the fence just waiting to see how the tide flows. Removing Dr. Brown or the PLP for that matter and re-electing the UBP will not fix what is wrong with Bermuda. Let us all start by reconditioning our mindset, look outside our box of "Bermuda is another world" then and only then would we be on the path to building a better Bermuda.

JOSHUA RICHARDSON

Pembroke

Totally unacceptable

October 13, 2008

Dear Sir,

Please allow me in your editorial to congratulate the community of St. David's in standing firm in protesting and objecting to their school of St. David's Primary name change. I especially want to commend St. David's Primary PTSA. They did a great job in showing that PTSA have a lot of strength after all parents of schools pay the teachers' and education ministers' wages (Tax). They have a right to be heard. The Minister Randy Horton should have from the very beginning requested for the name change to the parents (PTSA) from the start, and listening to their views on the issue.

I may add Minister Hon. Dale Butler's attitude on air was totally unacceptable on his views of the concerned parents. It seems that if Mr. Butler doesn't get his way, he begins to shout and talk down to the taxpaying people of Bermuda. I may end, Mr. Editor, where was the elected PLP member of Parliament? Was she on leave of absence from the people of St. Davids. Parent of former student of St. David's Primary

TERRY FLOOD

Warwick