August 6, 2012Dear Sir,On Cup Match eve, I received an e-mail “I have something for you” Was it a lottery cheque? A new flat screen TV? Oh, the suspense is killing me. I replied to the sender, saying “Meet me tomorrow for lunch, bring it then”. We decided on them meeting me at my house. An hour before the appointed time I get a text message “The lunch thing won’t work out, the phones lines are busy” Duh, dude. What did you expect from Atmel’s on a day before Cup Match? We decided to forgo the food and just bring my damn present. Dude arrives and proceeds to hand me a red bag with a blue bow (bad sign already) “Here mate, Happy Cup match”. I reach into the bag and alas what do I touch?Two foam cricket balls. Emblazoned on one side “HOWZAT ... For a change” On the other the One Bermuda Alliance logo. By now many of you have received or viewed them. Anyway, what they heck, I am good for a laugh. I took them and positioned them where my inseams meet and posed for a picture. My Internet Nemesis and OBA member Todd Martin had got me good with this one. We chatted for a bit about numerous topics. After some more Cup Match banter, Todd rode off into the sunset making time back to work, or so he said LOL. What is my point with this?Todd is a Somerset fan, Todd is an OBA supporter, and Todd is a white Bermudian (WB). Basically, Todd and I are polar opposites in many regards. Yet Todd and I have forged a respect and a possible friendship between us. I have met many white Bermudians who support the OBA and even some that actually support the PLP. Many whites wish for racial equality and they wish to converse with black Bermudians to address those relevant issues at hand. Yet far too often politics forces us to further divide ourselves as a community. Ironically, I have met more WB than I would have had there not been an election coming. The exchanges have been, to say the least,”colourful”. Some persons I hope never to ever speak with again, whilst others I wish to continue to move forward with.Let me be “Crystal Clear”. My support of the Progressive Labour Party will never waver. The OBA has some good persons and some good ideas. However, far too much of their philosophy is based on, “Business first, business second, business third”. I could never subscribe to any party with that mindset, even if every member was black. “People first” is my motto. My fellow Bermudians, if and when we truly wish to destroy racial inequalities and suspicions, we have only to do a few things. Start talking to each other, start trusting each, other start working with each other for Bermuda. Those who have skills and talents must reach out to those who are challenged. Those with resources must learn that “sharing is caring”. Those lacking resources must learn that “learning is earning”. Simplistic catchphrases that if converted to actions will bring rewards. I am no lawyer, nor do I have a doctoral degree in race relations. I have only Street Smarts (SS) and Common Sense (CS).Moving forward, there will be racial imbalance and cultural differences. There are but 47 MPs and Senators. We the people must show the legislators the way towards equality. We know where the imbalances are. Each one of us must take up the task of racial equity. Personal actions will supersede all political slogans. Successful social, political and economic integration must be a two-way street. Talk to each other, listen to each other, learn from one another, most importantly love and respect one another. We much each “stand strong and put Bermudians first”. Make it “the best of times”.THOMAS CHRISTOPHER FAMOUS Esq SS CSDevonshire