March 14, 2013Dear Sir,The Royal Gazette needs change its anonymous letter policy since it is allowing the publishing of letters that clearly insult the majority of the population and perpetuate the image of The Royal Gazette as having no respect for the experiences of people of African descent.A letter published today in the column titled, “Blacks are not the only ones who have suffered, move on!”; with an anonymous author was insensitive to the experiences of the considerable number of the citizens of this country who are of African heritage. It is unfortunate that the acting Editor Jeremy Deacon, would allow a letter that carried statements such as, “lacks, count yourselves lucky. Many were taken out of Africa — a black continent of extreme corruption”.Is this stating that a people being captured, taken away from your home against your will, enslaved in a foreign land, subjected to centuries of illegal possession, segregation and humiliation should be grateful?This is reprehensible statement that should not be given audience or allowed to be published anonymously. The letter also devalues the history and real experience of thousands of Bermudians who suffered under legal segregation in the modern era, not only their ancestors who were held captive. What about those persons who live and work among us who originate from modern Africa and the Caribbean, they are insulted as well.By comparing the experience of African people to other groups such as the Irish or other Europeans who were unjustly treated is one thing. When this is done to politicise and minimise the continued sensitivity of that experience some people still have is dishonest and should not be given a public platform to anonymously promote.I ask, would this letter have been allowed to be published anonymously in Haertz or the Jerusalem Times if it was referring to the Jewish nation telling them to get over the holocaust or a paper in Northern Ireland if referring to Catholics and their treatment by the English?It is only the policy to allow letters to be published anonymously that permits this sort of insensitive letter in the daily paper. There is no credible broadsheet newspaper in the western world that permits this in a democratic society. It is time for the Editor of The Royal Gazette to end this policy. If not the perception of The Royal Gazette as a paper that condones such insensitivity will continue.WALTER H ROBAN MP* Acting Editor’s note: Having talked to some people about the original letter, I can see how it could appear to be insensitive — and for that I apologise. There was absolutely no intent on my behalf to cause offence in any way.