Many Bermudians, whether they admit it or not, are anxiously waiting to see what effect the momentous events of the last few weeks on the political scene will have on the enormous challenges confronting the lives of just about everyone.The birth of a the One Bermuda Alliance has, without a doubt, left a number of walking wounded. Those staunch supporters of the United Bermuda Party will undoubtedly be fuming beneath the surface over what some see as nothing short of an act of political betrayal. Such deep sentiments are not healed easily, especially in a small society.But the truth is that the UBP ship has been taking on water and sinking as a viable opposition for quite some time. As a result, many Bermudians were becoming frustrated that it seemed the ruling Progressive Labour Party Government could wield its power without worrying about the opposition.This is not to suggest that the Government of the day operated in that manner, but a weak opposition inevitably makes it easier for any Government to push through policies that should come under closer scrutiny.The racism factor cannot be brushed aside. A negative image in politics is not easy to remove. Much improvement has taken place over the years in our social infrastructure, but there are still emotional scars from the past, that continue to haunt our social landscape.The Progressive Labour Party Government is also not immune to perception that they may have overplayed their hand on social barriers of the past that kept us apart as a society, instead of making it their top priority to serve all of Bermuda, irrespective of political persuasion, race, or creed. Many people, including some of their supporters, feel they stumbled badly here.Despite this, it would not be in Bermuda's best interest for anyone to embark upon a witch hunt to admonish others for having a different political view point on how to move Bermuda forward. We cannot in one breath praise democracy, and then frown on the opportunity it provides for seeking new ways to solve problems of the day.A major test for our leaders in the days and months ahead will be to avoid the urge to engage in nasty negative over the demise of the United Bermuda Party and the Bermuda Democratic Alliance and the formation of the One Bermuda Alliance.How this will play out will depend on how well the new political party connects with the people in a way that builds credibility. It should be clear that bitterness and anger usually lurk in the shadows among those far from happy from what has transpired.Most Bermudians watching developments are hoping that cool heads will not only prevail during the early stages of the new political day, but that our leaders will do their utmost to set a tone of dignity and respect as an example for our young people.We need to build a Bermuda where no citizen is seen as a member of this or that political party or a particular race. There is no way we can hope to sit at the table of brotherhood, envisioned by the late Dr Martin Luther King, who stressed that we must learn to see only the character of a person in order to reach that table, until we do that.Bermuda is too small to allow political differences and bitterness from the past to block our future.The world itself is going through many changes with people dying in the struggle for better conditions. We in Bermuda should be able to show the world how change can be accomplished peacefully and with dignity.