January 2, 2002

Dear Sir,

After reading and listening to the ensuing debate on Rolfe Comissiong's letter I thought that I would add my perspective through your medium.

I read Rolfe's letter the following day after being prompted to do so by a highly respected black member of the UBP who suggested that I read it because in that person's mind the letter was politically significant and reflected an ethical stance aimed at the heart of any notion of a renewed UBP.

Let me say without revealing who the respected member is, this person's political opinion is not one that the UBP would ever take lightly.

Every leader has an expectation that trials them.

It is inherent, inescapable and while it may not be prudent for leaders to be led by the nose by these expectations it is a wise leader who understands that they do exist and has a convincing answer if not a remedy for them.

I, if asked, would have given support to Dr. Grant Gibbons for the very reasons that Rolfe raised.

Which is that he is at least perceived to be establishment coming out of a family that is very strong and financially successful.

He is astute and through his own reputation comes with the respect of the white community.

You may ask why is that important when the problem of the UBP is in gaining black support?

Again for the very point that Rolfe raised, if there is to be a real shift (and there needs to be) in the UBP and if as a fact of Bermuda politics the establishment/white community supports the UBP who is best suited as a messenger to that community?

And from the black community perspective if there was a swing in the mind set coming from the white community that would give the black community assurance that indeed there is a racial renaissance going on in the white community who again could best demonstrate that?

The answer is Dr. Grant Gibbons. Rolfe seems to agree with all the above, however suggests that Grant has failed to deliver in his opening.

Unfortunately the public was denied a piece of his opening remarks when the media did a blackout on the party banquet.

Dr. Gibbons in this speech went to his human side placing a barrier between the parties past and launched into his vision for the future which was a mission to understand and fulfil the diverse needs of everyone in the community. He went on to clarify his initiative to lead the organisation towards a new commitment to the celebration of all persons of every race and for persons of all religions and the non religious and gave a welcoming call for this diversity of interest to assist him to build that kind of Bermuda.

Someone made the point that Grant needs to follow in the footsteps of his uncle Sir David Gibbons. I responded by saying if he needs a model than he needs to look instead at the role of Sir Henry Tucker who withstood much pain to gain the changes amongst the oligarchy of his day.

Grant needs to finish that job by going a step further then him.

His role is to facilitate change and bring everyone on board with those changes.

His role is not to be a demonstration of the party's ability to look beyond colour.

The challenge is his to develop the mindset of a change agency within the party.

His real battle is his allotment of time.

I do not envy his position.

He has the job of putting the nuts and bolts in place that pins the structure to a winnable formula even if part of that formula means the creation of a new leader.

I say he is the best for this job because his ego is suited to the task at hand.

Rolfe's comments when viewed in a political context has some validity, but if you have money in your pocket don't gamble on this one as being a gift horse. Take a piece of that money and rent the movie 'White Boys Can't Jump'. Place your bet after you watch the movie.

KHALID A. WASI

Pembroke

Editor's note: The Royal Gazette never imposed a blackout of the UBP banquet. It was not informed that the banquet was being held nor was it invited.