Dear Sir,

I am speaking as one who, although born in Bermuda, have grandparents from three different Caribbean islands, Nevis, St Kitts and Barbados. Only my maternal grandmother was born in Bermuda.

Last year, I was impressed with the article written by Miss Alexa Lightbourne outlining the government's push for Bermuda's full membership in Caricom. Surprising for me was how she has such a grasp of the historical background to resistance to the idea, considering her young age.

I read months ago of how Premier Burt was urging PLP members to embrace Caricom membership. My thought is that it would go against the grain for many Black people to embrace closer ties with the West Indies. I am old enough to remember how past Government Leaders, down to the last one of the UBP leaders would tell Black Bermudians that they were better off than those in “the islands to the south of us” and then that declaration would slide into “you're better than they are”, nothing but the old standard device used to divide and conquer peoples.

Remember how that tactic was also used in the practice of distinguishing Portuguese from other Whites, until a particular time when they were officially accepted as White.

When I have heard Black Bermudians cast aspersions on Caribbean folk, I always consider that they don't even know where their prejudice comes from.

I remember reading about an attempt to show that further involvement in the Caribbean would best be avoided because, it was pointed out that criminal activity is very serious in the region. I subsequently came across data which shows that, on average, a violent crime is committed in the United States every 24.6 seconds.

A murder occurs every 30 and a half minutes, a rape every 3.9 minutes, a robbery every 1.7 minutes and an aggravated assault every 39 seconds, a property crime every 4.1 seconds.

Notwithstanding all that, if the matter had to do with closer association with the US, all would be fine and dandy, just as it is for president Trump, no matter what he does or says, and we know why he is allowed to walk free and we also know why, if it were president Obama in his shoes, he would never get away with any one of Donald Trump's outrageous utterances or deeds.

My feeling is that, at bottom, the same reason that would keep us from Caricom is the same reason that Barack Obama would long ago have been imprisoned or assassinated if he were the one committing the cruel and inane acts of Mr Trump.

In my frequent visits to Jamaica, there have been times when I have felt hurt when I remember how Bermudians often put down Jamaica while I see so much shining there.

The several radio and television stations offering so much rich variety in programming. On TVJ nightly news presentations, I especially enjoy the choreography of the movements of the news presenters. Two give regular news, a meteorologist presents weather information, someone gives business news, and someone else reports on local and international entertainment that always highlights stories of local artists who have made it big on the world stage.

Lively sports news is also presented nightly along with sports analysis given five nights per week.

There is always news about athletes' victories in large overseas events. Those results do not seem to stun people as they have become used to successes and so, audiences expect great performances.

The Jamaica Sunshine Girls who play netball, are ranked third in the world, just ahead of England. That statistic is perhaps a year old.

And, did you hear that Jamaica's medal haul in the September 2025 World Athletic Championship held in Tokyo was fifth in the world?

Two or three weeks ago, I heard of the co-operation among Jamaica, Chile and China where Jamaica's prowess in track offers opportunities to share training in those skills whilst Jamaica is exposed to areas where they have not been especially interested in the past, as is the case of hockey and gymnastics.

What I see over and over is that, as soon as a new sport is introduced, you hear how the leaders of the different sports bodies immediately speak of plans to reach the world stage.

Talent is there, yes, but what I see is a vision for the future and a commitment, resolve and heart to do what it takes to achieve what is envisioned.

When I think of Usain Bolt, who has been declared one of the greatest athletes in history, I consider how the background story is hardly spoken of. I can imagine that, when his friends were partying, he would have been strength- training.

I have only scratched the surface, for there are other areas where closer ties would benefit us. Arts in different expressions come to mind as well as sharing in information regarding education and support for existing small and medium-sized businesses and collaboration on ideas for new business possibilities.

HELENE STEPHENSON

Smith’s