Challenges facing blacks

June 22, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am not running for Parliament so I am not looking for votes. No one in the PLP has done me any favours so I am not about party politics. I have one concern and owe my allegiance only to the black community of which I am a part and a product. So I am very aware when I hear Mr. Maxwell Burgess (UBP no less), speaking of the haves and have nots, reminds us of our history (which Mr. Dunkley thinks is one of integrity) that has put the black community at such an economic disadvantage.

When I hear of the crises in education I know that it is really a crisis in black education. We can all see that the prestigious scholarships go to academically successful white students. If we look at the Family Court we see that most of the dysfunctional families are black. There may be dysfunctional white families but they do not become a problem for society. The Town and Country conflicts which do such injury to young men (and women?) are all black, out of the black community. According to one black defender of the UBP, "we are all sinners" but our prisons are filled with 99 percent blacks. The Berkeley Institute building would never have been an issue if the black Community had a black firm with the experience to do such a job. It was a black Government which failed to ensure that Pro-Active had experienced oversight and it was a black Government that then made the situation worse by firing them to appease their white UBP critics.

We have heard a lot about international companies recently but it is the black community which benefits least from them because of the long term impact of our history of racism and the deterioration of our cultural values in the last 20 or 30 years and it is the black Community which is hurt most by the consequent overdevelopment.

We hear the frequent attacks on The Royal Gazette's bias but the real problem is that the black community has not developed the economy or experience to sustain a daily newspaper that would reflect our perspective.

We are told that all white folks do not love each other either but they are only blacks who go public with their "disdain" for each other and declare that they feel no responsibility to address the racial injustices of the past. The UBP has conflict but it is between the blacks in the party (like a black Sir John Swan and his white constituents) or the recent blacks charging racism. All of the PLP conflict is between blacks. Only blacks have to make the decision as to whether they are going to concentrate on acquiring personal wealth and be totally indifferent to the increasing number of alienated and angry young black men or whether they are going to continue the black tradition of fighting for justice for all at great personal sacrifice.

The black Community faces a myriad of complex interrelated challenges that do not face the white Community. We have heard a lot about integrity recently but any black politician with the least integrity should have one priority on their agenda and that is getting together with other Blacks to address the challenges of the black community. Yet I have heard only one politician who has been prepared to put our challenges in their racial context. Dr. Brown has been accused of "playing the race card" for his personal political benefit". But for nine years most PLP politicians have found that "for their personal political benefit" they would ignore the impact of our history of racism. That is what has "tarnished" the PLP Cabinet for nine years.

All black politicians, whether UBP or PLP, if they had the least integrity, would all be "playing the race card" as they sought to address the challenges in the black community. Instead, in the last couple of weeks we have spent our time and energy on an agenda set by those intent on destroying the only black politician who has the fortitude to even talk in terms of our racial experience. He may be no more saintly than other politicians but every black person should be trying to ensure that he lives up to his own expressed ideals of racial equality, for all blacks, rather than supporting the attack of those who hate both him and the rest of us.

Britain's Gordon Brown has the conviction that, "everyone deserves a fair chance in life. Everyone of us has a responsibility to each other. When the strong help the weak we are all stronger". Black Bermudians believed this once. Today too many who are doing well are joining white folks in blaming those who have been most victimised for their condition. They do not want the responsibility to each other.They want us to "get over race". They do not want to grapple with the challenges that race and racism have imposed on us as a Community and which is increasingly dividing Blacks who are doing well from those who are out side of our prosperous Economy.

It is not talking about racism that divides us, it is the consequence of what racism has done to the black community that divides us.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

An architectural gem

June 7, 2007

Dear Sir,

Driving down East Broadway I have often admired the classic, undulating roof and majestic chimneys of the Queen of the East. Over the years I have noted its subsequent deterioration, and wondered why any one in their right mind would let this happen. It was no surprise to discover it was yet another trust property left to deteriorate due to lack of money, legal quagmires, family spats etc. Many people may think, what does it matter? Raze the 'eyesore' and move on, and yet I can think of many architectural eyesores in Hamilton and Queen of the East certainly isn't one of them. It is an architectural gem and arguably the most historically significant building in Hamilton.

Some people, like this trust's agent, may prefer to see this venerable building replaced by yet another slick concrete box with tinted windows, allowing still more dilution of Bermuda's architectural character. Our historic buildings are a living testament to the skills of the master masons, carpenters etc. of the past, many of whom were black Bermudians. We cannot allow this important part of our heritage to be slowly eroded away or allow apathy to take hold. A stand must be taken on rampant development steamrolling over our history. If Queen of the East goes, where is next? Perot Post Office? The Irish Linen shop?

Riihuoloma's? The bottom of Queen St. has a classic Bermudian character, unique in the world, and yet we could end up with another Boyle building or Palmetto Gardens on this site. The only building with protected status within Hamilton is the Cathedral. Legislation must be passed in order to protect these and other irreplaceable buildings so many of which have already been lost over the last 50 years.

Instead of de-listing buildings, and potentially allowing developers in through the back door, Government needs to work with owners in a mutually beneficial way to preserve and maintain, especially given the current housing crisis. We do have a say, we must become pro-active, join the National Trust, write letters, let your opinions be known before the developers turn Hamilton into a concrete jungle.

Queen of the East could be around in another 250 years if someone at least makes a start by putting a lick of paint on the roof. Let's hope that through some form of public, corporate or government funding the National trust can add this property to their collection and restore it to it's former glory for the enjoyment of future generations

GRAHAM FOSTER

Warwick

Take prisoners out to sea

June 25, 2007

Dear Sir,

I was wondering if a boat similar to the Spirit of Bermuda, but not as big or as expensive, could be commissioned and used to take prisoners out to sea, to expose them to the ocean and to prepare them for jobs when they come out of jail. For obvious security reasons the boat would not visit foreign ports but could cruise the waters of Bermuda with non-violent prisoners whom authorities are confident can rehabilitated. It would also create Marine Prison Officers.

Prisoners sitting all day in cells, doing nothing, certainly are not receiving any life skills, but teaching people to sail and to be stewards of the Bermudian environment would be an innovate form of adult education for a group of the population who obviously need a second chance in life.

J.K. WILLIAMS

City of Hamilton

Broken glass syndrome

June 20, 2007

Dear Sir,

Research has shown that a small area of poorly designed and maintained streets lead the public to perceive that the streetscape throughout the area is of a poor quality. This has direct connections with the 'broken glass syndrome', where a poorly managed and maintained environment does not encourage civic pride and leads to degradation caused by abuse, crime, vandalism and graffiti. Conversely, a high quality, well designed and maintained streetscape is perceived positively and thereby encourages civic pride and improves the perception of the city as a whole. What does this have to do with Bermuda?

There has been a degradation of our society as a whole which is happening on an ever increasing scale at the moment. This is not intended to be political in any way. Our roads are littered, weeds are growing, our paved streets are in the worst condition they have ever been in. You sure wouldn't know that we, along with Luxembourg and Jersey, are listed as having the highest GDP per capita in the world! Why can't anyone who sees a need to dig up our roads be required to pave both sides of the entire road after completion of a project? This would prevent these ever increasing long and dangerous (for cycle riders) pits in our road system. There is a "broken glass syndrome" happening right here at home.

Going a bit deeper, we too are to blame! The "broken glass syndrome" is more than just how people perceive our streetscapes. Our children too must perceive the quality of society by the way in which they are allowed to treat it. Why is it that we do not teach our children the little things in life any more — it is unacceptable to throw garbage into our streets, it is unacceptable to kick or throw sand at the ducks in the park, it is unacceptable for them to drive bikes that are above the acceptable decibel limit, it is unacceptable to blast music in your cars, it is unacceptable to ride unbelted in the car, it is unacceptable to steal, it is unacceptable to ask a stranger for money, it is unacceptable to not do well in school—etc.

If the Government will do its part in keeping our streetscape beautiful and we all do our part with our children and teach them to respect our island home, it has been proven in the past that a society can change for the better and I believe it will work for Bermuda.

CONCERNED

Southampton

Let's go Independent

June 8, 2007

Dear Sir,

The Bermudian people need to give Senator David Burch their full support in wanting to take a strong and tough stand in regards to the high crime wave — if it gets out of control any more than it has — Bermuda could finally get the "U" Label on its back ("U" for "Unsafe").

IF and when that happens we can lose our good safe image and the US Consul General who observes all the "going-ons " in Bermuda will not hesitate to discourage travel to Bermuda. In the Eastern Cape, South Africa which has a large unemployment rate — 60% due to poverty that can happen here, if the US visitors are discouraged from coming over here. This is not open season on Governor Vereker — it's called changing times.

Put the Verekers in a little "house" and use the Government House as a University. Encourage foreign students to enrol, more revenue for the country moving the Governor from the crystal palace to a little house, would mean less of a financial burden on the Bermudian tax payers. The US Consul General lives in a house paid for by the US taxpayers. Mr. Slayton doesn't complain.

The US dispatches a Coast Guard ship or plane for maritime emergencies. The UK offers zero — no UK troops here to protect us. Let's go independent — why not — the UK only has her flags flying here and a do-nothing representative from the UK Governme

GEORGE BURCHER

Hamilton Parish

Remembering Dame Lois

June 11, 2007

Dear Sir,

Her lovely day has lengthened into evening, she sighed goodbye to all she ever had. Alone where we'd been together; we'll remember Dame Lois and be glad.

We'd be content she was with us once in April, her teachings were strong, and yes her love was true, but we're not afraid of Autumn and being without her, cause we'll remember Dame Lois and we'll smile.

Her fire has dwindled into glowing ashes cause life and love last just a little while. We won't forget and we won't be lonely, cause we'll Dame Lois and we'll smile, Yes we'll smile! Yes we'll smile...

Her truest quote was and is: "There are no winners in a rat race, if you win you are still a rat.

Thanks for allowing me the space.

ROBERT J J HINDS

Miami, Florida

Sanity badly needed

June 5, 2007

Dear Sir,

I would vote for the UBP just to bring sanity back to this Island.

FEELING VERY DISENFRANCHISED

Southampton

Hallmarks of dictatorship

June 8, 2007

Dear Sir,

While I'm away at university in Canada, every morning I read the local papers online. Every morning I find myself increasingly irritated at the direction in which the current government is steering our home. But today, I was actually afraid.

It seems that democracy is no longer a priority for Bermuda's current Premier, Dr. Brown. Witnessing his knee-jerk reaction to allegations of corruption in the BHC scandal, in the past seven days I have watched in shock as, rather than facing these charges as a strong leader, our Premier has chosen instead to use the age-old magician's trick of misdirection, in the hopes that attacking democracy will divert the public's attention elsewhere. It didn't work.

But, congratulations, Dr. Brown, you have not only succeeded in tarnishing your name more by muddying the waters further, but in taking your anxiety out on our Governor, I<\p>believe you have revealed yourself to be a selfish tyrant. Rather than rely on our trusted Police force (which, we have already seen to be good enough for the public, but not for the Premier, according to his stance on personal bodyguards), I read this morning that one of Dr. Brown's Ministers has proceeded to attempt to wrestle control of the police force in its entirety from the Governor, into the hands of the Ministers in government — Ministers who, by the way, already hold too much concentrated power as it is.

I question also his threat to unilaterally declare Independence from Britain. While Dame Lois Browne Evans has already usurped the Queen as "mother of our country" (Royal Gazette, June 2), I worry about basing any national move on that of a country such as Rhodesia; individual opinions regarding independence aside, I'm sure any intelligent citizen would agree that imitating an illegal severance from the Crown, condemned by both British Government and the United Nations (as was the case in Rhodesia) would be a poor decision, indeed, not only for our reputation but in the impact such a move would have on the quality of life here at home. Not to mention the small, but important fact that I don't believe any of the public has been consulted, or even considered, regarding said ultimatum. Once again, the citizens of Bermuda seem to come second to Dr. Brown's individual aims.

Can anyone else see the parallels between the escalating amalgamation of power into fewer hands in the PLP government, and the systematic absorption of power into one in Germany's Third Reich that led to Hitler's rise? The actions of our Premier and the PLP government have all the hallmarks of a dictatorship in the making.

I only hope that Bermudians the Island over are too intelligent and care too much about our country than to allow such blatant ploys to remove the checks and balances essential to a functioning democracy. We are currently in the proverbial pot of hot water, growing hotter by the minute. I can only hope that the people of Bermuda will see fit to jump out before the escalating political tensions cause the water to boil over, and it is too late for us.

HEATHER TRIMINGHAM

British Columbia