My experience of racism

April 13, 2007

Dear Sir,

First, let me add my “AMEN” to Neville T. Darrell’s letter in today’s edition of your newspaper.

Secondly, let me address the letter signed by Grandma in Hamilton Parish — let me assure her that I have learned much!! I am a black Bermudian, born in the 1940’s and raised here by two black Bermudian parents. As a matter of fact, I am at least a fourth generation Bermudian. I experienced racism right here in Bermuda my whole life I attended black schools (the only schools that black people were allowed to go — and Grandma in Hamilton Parish, you had choices), sat at the back of St. John’s Church (only whites were allowed at the front), attended St. Alban’s Sunday School (the Sunday School for blacks in Pembroke West) sat downstairs in the movie theatres of the day, (only whites were allowed upstairs and I have a whole lot of bad memories of the Playhouse Theatre and how I was treated by whites) AND I know about not being allowed in the hotels and restaurants in Hamilton. My memory is clear as a bell. I recall vividly how only people that owned real estate could vote!! Who owned the most property?!! You guessed it — white people!! Who was in power while black people in Bermuda suffered and were treated as second class citizens? You are right again — white people!! The disparity in wealth between blacks and whites today is a continued legacy of this history. And please do not tell me to get over it. Your race had more opportunities than black people of that period ever had!! We have been held down, put back, insulted, degraded and ignored. And yes, things are better now — not perfect, just better!!

You said in your letter: “The blacks sold their people to the white slave traders”. I really think you need to read the history books (make sure they are not history books from England — the few I have seen have called slave traders merely “traders”). As a matter of fact, some of the slave traders were knighted by the Queen for doing such a good job! Your white forefathers did more than just buy blacks — they shackled and chained them, enslaved them, transported them to another continent, stood them on the blocks and traded them, whipped and beat them like animals and worked them, without reward, until they died.

Now, my story As a hard working black Bermudian, once I gave birth to my children, I made a commitment to educate them. For many years, I ceased taking any overseas trips, no matter what the reason; I ceased buying new clothes; I changed the way I shopped for groceries; I stopped eating in restaurants; and did without so very many things. I am happy to say that both of my black children have earned Master’s degrees and are gainfully employed in Bermuda — yes, they came back!! So please do not disrespect me by accusing me and my black counterparts of making bad choices.

To the Premier, you have my support and my vote (and the 3 other votes in our house)!! We are proud of you! We do not agree with everything you do, but we believe that you are committed and dedicated to using your best endeavours to make this a better Bermuda for all of us, black and white. I have no grandchildren, but should I ever be so fortunate, I would prefer for them to be born in a Bermuda led by Ewart Brown and the PLP!!

To the UBP — you have never cared about the plight of poor black people — history speaks for itself — you pretend to care now because you want to get back in power. We are not fooled.

Fourth generation black Bermudian

Paget

Thank you, Mr. Grigsby!

Dear Sir,

What an extraordinarily powerful and ultimately moving letter from Kevin Grigsby (Letters to the Editor, April 14, 2007)! My most sincere thanks to him for such a reasoned and courageous piece of writing — I have cut it out and will forward it to any friend who did not see it, not only for his comments about the value of foreign input into life in Bermuda, but for his comments about the racial scene here.

A couple of years ago, during a sudden rainstorm, I stopped my car to offer a ride to a young black man who was soaked to the skin. He accepted the ride and expressed — several times — immense gratitude that I would trust him enough to invite him into my car, that I (one of Mr. Grigsby’s “elderly Bermudian white women”) wasn’t considering how I might be putting myself at risk. I was astonished. It’s never occurred to me to put concerns about my safety ahead of being a neighbour at a time of need, but that young man made me think hard about what a burden many black men in our community carry around, feeling the need to assure people they are not automatically a threat to the rest of us. It’s heartbreaking.

What amazing dignity Mr. Grigsby shows in his letter with regard to this particular slur of racism, and how heart-lifting to read that he has not experienced this in Bermuda. We older white people hear so many negative things about us that it’s a joy to hear of one person’s happy experiences.

Sincerely,

Helle Patterson.

Bermuda deserves better

Dear Sir,

Bermuda’s two political parties have recently illustrated vividly just why the Westminster system of government does not serve the country well.

The system demands that actions taken by the political parties must firstly be in the interests of the party and only secondly in the interests of the country.

The UBP was first, when they deposed Wayne Furbert as leader. Mr. Furbert without doubt has Bermuda’s best interests at heart, he has a vision of uniting Bermuda by inviting members of the opposing party to join his government should he be elected and despite his rejection he has undertaken to press on to better things for Bermudians.

He was sacrificed because “The Party” felt that “The Party” would be better positioned to win an election with someone else leading.

The party’s interest came before that of Bermuda. Then came the PLP, with their announcement of a proposal to cut traffic congestion by eliminating cars owned by single guest workers. Why were only guest workers targeted?

The best interests of Bermuda would be served by eliminating cars owned by all single people but this would lose the party votes. The best interests of Bermuda are subservient to the interests of “The Party”.

Bermuda deserves better than to be governed by self-interested “Parties”. There will soon be an election. Which of these self-interested parties will have the courage to run on a platform promising reform of the system of government in order to do away with the adversorial system presently in place and replace it with a system designed to encourage cooperation among those governing? I look forward to the day!

John MorbeyWhat a great ideaDear Sir,I think the idea put forward by Eric S. New York City to house all the ex-pats together in one location is great! Just think what huge profits are to be made by the tattoo parlours when we all line up to have our arms tattooed or the local tailoring businesses who will no doubt get the Government contract to sew stars or triangles onto our business suits.B> Ghetto Bound

City of HamiltonRenaming inappropriateDear Sir,When the Opposition asked to be able to participate in the Premier’s visits to college students, they were told the initiative is a Government initiative and as such Party participation is not appropriate. Surely then the re-naming of the Bermuda Airport after Mr. Frederick Wade, a leader of a party, not a government, is extremely inappropriate.

J.C. Simpson

St. David’s

Race dialogue needed

Dear Sir,

“Racism is an evil weed sown in the garden of humanity. It has grown wildly, entangling the healthy plants and covering the pathways, creating a great maze, a labyrinth with twists and turns that have led humanity astray. Racism has entwined and entrapped us all.” Joseph Brandt

This is a response to the letter to the editor from Grandma from Hamilton Parish. I am a Grandma from Smith’s Parish and I am not afraid to sign my name. Grandma made a statement about “this racist government.” Let me share with you some common definitions of racism as stated by Joseph Brandt, a white man, in his book entitled, “Dismantling Racism in White America.”

What is racism?

Racism is prejudice plus power and all of us, white people and people of African descent are prejudice when it comes to race. People of African descent do not have the collective power, expressed through political and economic systems, through educational, cultural, religious and other societal institutions to be racist. They lack the power to enforce their prejudices.

Racism victimises entire racial or ethnic groups for the purpose of maintaining the benefits and privileges of another group.

Racism structures a society so that the prejudices of one racial group (whites) are taught, perpetuated, and enforced to the benefit of the dominant group. (whites)

Racism harnesses the energies and loyalties of the dominant group (whites) for that group’s purposes.

Racism provides better services and facilities for the dominant group (whites) through that group’s institutions.

Racism decrees more severe restrictions and control over its victims (people of African descent-blacks) than it does over the dominant group.(whites)

Brandt further states that racism is a white problem. Racism is only a white problem that is exclusively a disorder of white people and not people of colour and since racism is a white problem, the way we look at it and try to solve it is dramatically changed.

Grandma from Hamilton Parish further states that she is not “uncomfortable in her white skin and nor will she accept that being white gave her or her family any privileges.”

Every white person participates in and benefits from the system of racism, even if it is against their will. White skin is a benefit, a source of power and privilege, and non-white skin is a liability. Racism in Bermuda is the exclusive property of White Bermuda. White society collectively imposes its power on people of African descent and benefits from the exercise of that power.

Just recently, I attended the first session of the Race Relations Initiative sponsored by the Cabinet Office and CURE. One of the key pieces of advice that I received was that people of African descent must confront whites about their privilege.

May I recommend to Grandma from Hamilton Parish, two books entitled, “When Race Becomes Real,” and “The Heart of Whiteness- Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege.”

“When Race Becomes Real” has been described as gripping, searing, riveting, eye-opening, enlightening and mesmerizing with honest, heartfelt narratives which offer a deeper understanding of race. Dr. Singley, the author, has cajoled distinguished writers, black and white, young and old to bare their soul about the privilege and the prejudice of race.

In “The Heart of Whiteness — Confronting Race, Racism and White Privilege,” Dr. Jensen writes that it is time for white America (Bermuda) to reverse the direction of the question, “How does it feel to be a problem?’ at the heart of colour. It’s time for white people to fully acknowledge that in the racial arena, they are the problem.”

I left the Race Relations Initiative with a renewed commitment to work even hard to leave Bermuda a better place in terms of race relations for my grandchildren. In times past, I fervently declared that white people are not on my agenda. There is too much to be done for my people and white people need to solve their own problems. I realize that having been brought up in a segregated Bermuda, I must be involved in honest and truthful dialogue with white people and I must confront them about their white privilege.

How can we move forward as Bermudians if we do not have the necessary dialogue about race relations when race impacts every facet of our lives? May we rebuild a Bermuda where racial and economic justice will flow like a mighty stream!

For Dismantling Racism in Bermuda,

Muriel M. Wade-Smith, Ph.D.

Right to peaceful protest

Dear Sir,

Perhaps you, Mr. Kaminsky and Ms Webb can assist me with the following:

Is not peaceful protest one of the pillars of democracy? Does the Church not have the right to peacefully protest if it believes that some action or lifestyle is against its beliefs?

This in no way means that everyone in the country is homophobic or against that life-style!!

Please answer the following so that I may be clear on the subject of protests:

(1) If a group of NAZI’s charter a cruise ship and wish to sail to Bermuda or any port in the USA, would there be protests or just a shrug of the shoulders and a welcome??

(2) If a group of Racists did a similar cruise to Bermuda or any Port would there be any reaction by the inhabitants?

(3) Would the fact that some people protest any of the above indicate that ALL of the inhabitants are homophobic or anti-racist?

We should accept the fact that there will be people who protest; that this is a fundamental facet of freedom and democracy; and stop this shrill condemnation of the whole country or population .

And so ——————. let us pray

Gatha’s son

Changing homosexuals

April 12, 2007

Dear Sir,

Some ways in which our churches can address homosexuality. In fact, churches must address homosexuality if they are to reach homosexuals and share that Christ can change the homosexual! The pastor can play a huge role in addressing homosexuality from the pulpit. It is important for pastors to not solely condemn the sin of homosexuality or to solely speak out against the “gay agenda,” but to always include a message of redemption and hope for CHANGE for the homosexual. A compassionate word from the pulpit related to homosexuality can open the doors for ministry to anyone affected by homosexuality.

Christian resources on homosexuality are an excellent means for church members to become educated and for those struggling with homosexuality to find hope and encouragement for change. A good website for ideas is Exodus.to

The church should address homosexuality the same way it should address any sin — BOLDLY AND WITH LOVE. Homosexuality is not THAT different from any other sin and need not be singled out. Huge strides in ministry will be accomplished when homosexuality is demystified and the world sees the church treating ALL sin equally. A church should never call out a sin without offering a solution and hope for change! God calls upon His people to be both salt and light in the world: salt, to preserve that which otherwise would turn putrid; light, to reach out warmly with the truth of the gospel. The choice for the Church is not either/or — it is both/and. Individuals may focus more on social-political involvement or in personal ministry, based on their gifting and burdens. But the Church as a whole must do both.

So, it’s okay to be politically active — just be careful not to come across with an angry, ungodly attitude. This often alienates gay people, and makes ministry to them difficult, if not impossible. Remember that God loves people bound by homosexuality. He wants them as sons and daughters in Christ. Never allow yourself or your communication style to become a stumbling block

JUDITH

Pembroke

More on bank lending

Dear Sir,

In response to the piece in the Daily about bank lending in Bermuda I think the subject ought to be kicked around a bit more. Our banks have lent more than 100% of the deposit base due to demand in both the residential and commercial markets. There is a question as to whether they are moving aggressively into the subprime markets in order to sustain earnings momentum. The BMA has stated that they are monitoring the trends.

My understanding was that traditionally about one third of funds were lent in the individual residential market, one third in the commercial business market and the other third was a maturity mismatch in the US Treasury yield curve. The fact that the yield curve was traditionally upward sloping led to yield pick-up, meaning you pay demand deposits 3% while placing the money in 5Yr Treasuries at say 6%.

In the last few years the yield curve has been relatively flat to inverted, erasing the yield pick-up when placing funds on maturity mismatch. The Banks have crowded the funds into the lending market that were once in the gap play.

On top of this yield curve occurrence, international banks like HSBC have an extremely low cost of capital due to their capital structure and access to yen carry trade type financing. The Banks have not mirrored the Fed Funds rate as they did in the past and picking up nice spreads in the lending market.

The question I think is does the BMA appreciate that the Banks are all about their bonus/stock option plans and much less about the long term stability of Bermuda.

Retired

Paget