May 13, 2014

Dear Sir,

Kevin Comeau has reiterated, in greater detail, what many others have claimed regarding the loss of IB [International Business]. However, he does not remind us that we are a racially divided society with the resulting hostilities which are a disincentive to IB. Both directly and indirectly, or by implication the PLP has been held responsible.

At one time, and perhaps in good times, most in the black community have been passive and accepting of the disadvantages imposed by our racial divide. However, whether by marches or strikes, or nothing at all, most in the black community are unlikely to be as passive and accepting as they once were. Although the PLP never had either the integrity nor the courage to introduce affirmative action policies, almost all that they did both in personal terms and in policy, both rightly and wrongly, bad and good was directly and indirectly in response to our racial divide and the disadvantages imposed on black Bermudians as a result of centuries of racism.

This is an issue which the economically powerful do not wish mentioned and certainly not addressed. They believe that we should be as quiet and as passive as we have always been (with a few significant exceptions). However, as long as the racial divide continues and is unaddressed the hostilities which it engenders will continue in one way or another and will continue to be a disincentive to International Business, regardless of what is happening in other parts of the world.

It is unfortunate that Kevin Comeau did not acknowledge this reality.

EVA N HODGSON