Dear Sir,

It is encouraging that racial justice is being focused on more today in Bermuda. Ever since the untimely and atrocious death of George Floyd in the United States, and as a result of the Black Lives Matter movement, it seems that more momentum is being gained in such a positive way.

We are reading articles in The Royal Gazette and hearing on radio chat shows bringing to light the disparities that are still present today in a number of areas in our community.

Yes, we see people getting along and in many areas Black and White people are working together for our common good. In our churches, charities, Masonic lodges, golf clubs, art gatherings and some sports clubs.

Notwithstanding we know there are many Black people who are successful who might have been given opportunity or prevailed just through personal grit and determination — despite the discouragement from some White areas, even up to the past 60 years — have become well educated and/or successful and financially secure.

Conversely, we are aware that there are some White people who are destitute.

I would like to encourage everyone to explore and understand the challenges that still exist regarding equality and the economic and social disparity between so-called Black and White communities. We still have a long way to go.

I encourage everyone to learn more about the transatlantic chattel slave trade and the dehumanising and horrible torture and treatment of those enslaved.

There are those who say, “Why don’t they get over it. That was so long ago, things are different now. They’ve been given more opportunity. I wasn’t responsible, nor were my forebears. I wasn’t there, they weren’t there. “I’m getting along quite well.”

It is important to know that chattel slavery — where people had been owned and sold like cattle, even leading to emancipation and beyond — were deprived of the decent everyday things in life to have any sort of human dignity. This treatment and feeling of being kept down, having nothing and being given nothing, has resulted in intergenerational trauma for 400 years and more than 14 generations.

To this day, many feel hopelessness. It is good to see people of both races who are genuinely on board to make racial relationships in Bermuda work well to the extent of a normality where no more racism exists.

It is important to tell the truth, to listen, to have empathy and acknowledgement, to participate in reconciliation, to demonstrate love and compassion to all, and to repair.

Already reparations have begun in education, housing and financial contributions, but there has to be more and in an holistic manner.

I encourage everyone to read up on this subject. Maybe start with The Experience of Racism in Bermuda and in its Wider Context — Reflections of Dr Eva Hodgson, The History of Mary Prince and Island Flames by Jonathan Smith to understand where these points are being made.

Finally, I would like to compliment Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda, which is gaining momentum, and recommend that everyone take the opportunity of attended any of its presentations. Organisations, clubs and businesses, etc, may consider a session or two with its members and employees.

Let’s make Bermuda as great as it can be.

JOHN DALE

Pembroke