April 18, 2005

Dear Sir,

I feel compelled to respond to the letter written by Mr. B of Southampton dated April 4, 2005 and published in The Royal Gazette today. Mr. B's letter both saddens and angers me as I find it disturbing that a fellow young Black Bermudian would speak out in such ignorance.

Like you, Mr. B, I had formed an opinion on this issue based on emotions. I am and have always been pro-Independence but up until recently I could not intelligently (that is, factually) argue my point of view. But thanks to the work of the Bermuda Independence Commission (BIC), I am now more knowledgeable on the subject of Independence. The information given at the public forum on 31st March at the Devonshire Recreation Club has solidified my belief that Bermuda should move forward to self determination.

Mr. B, you have every right to be against Independence but your letter suggests that your decision is not based on the facts. As your peer, I ask that you educate yourself. Attend future public meetings by the BIC; visit the BIC's website; investigate the United Nations' mandate on decolonisation; investigate the United Kingdom's position on this issue; research the Independence process of a Caribbean nation. If at the end of your fact-finding mission you are still against Independence then so be it. But at least you will have made an informed decision. I implore you to educate yourself as well as your friends and family. Don't let the comfort of your lifestyle or the cushion of your wallet determine your fate.

Believe it or not, your statement that Bermuda will not succeed in nationhood is a compelling argument for Independence as it reeks of an ignorance to which only colonialism can give birth. You think in this manner because it is what you have been taught; for you are a victim of colonialism. Colonialism has taught you, the Black Bermudian, to doubt your intelligence; to doubt your abilities; to doubt your self-worth. Colonialism has either economically oppressed you or has made you a slave to the almighty dollar. Colonialism has suppressed your voice and has broken your will to fight. Colonialism has stolen your faith in your fellow Bermudians. Only through independence can we break the mental shackles of colonialism. And only through education can we make the decision to become independent.

It is my hope, Mr. B, that I have encouraged you and others who think like you to seek more information. Knowledge is power; ignorance is not bliss. Get educated.

DIONNE E. BURROWS

Pembroke

Where is our pension?

April 2, 2005

Dear Sir,

As a Bermudian citizen, I would like to know what is going on as we have not received our paid up contributary pension money for February March and April 2005.

My February cheque comes in NSF and we haven't seen the March or April one at all. I've been on the phone t the Social Insurance many times requesting my pension and I get no satisfaction from Mrs. Joe and the manager, Mrs. Butterfield.

I persuaded them to send the February cheque which they sent on March 17 with no funds from the Government of Bermuda NSF.

I have bills to pay and rent, and I'm retired. I expected my pension.

I would like to know what is going on, as I get no satisfaction from them and don't know where to turn. As these are Government of Bermuda cheques, through the Canadian Branch of the Canadian Bank of Commerce in Toronto.

WINNIFRED DODD

Halifax, Nova Scotia

Very little sympathy

April 21, 2005

Dear Sir,

I was shocked to read in today's daily the front page story entitled “Pregnant Mother of Four Facing Life on the Streets”. Several things came to mind:

1. Where is the financial and family support from the father(s) for all of the five children?

2. I assume that she struggled to support her first child at the age of 14, why did she choose to have three more with another on the way?

3. Why do young women choose to follow through with the pregnancy if they cannot afford it?

4. Do they think that it is fair to expect their family and friends to help support them?

5. Why do they choose to become pregnant the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th time if they are in an already dire financial state?

6. Is she practising safe sex and using birth control?

7. What advice has her mother given to her while living with her as to here daughter's serial births?

8. What type of environment are the children exposed to (i.e. is there a boyfriend that stays over or does she stay our on some nights)?

9. If she has sons, is she teaching them that it is okay to shirk their responsibility if they get a girl pregnant

10. If she has daughters, is she teaching them that it is okay to be promiscuous?

11. Doe she plan to have more children in the future?

12. In a situation like this, does Government offer single parents free courses on personal financing and responsible family planning?

13. Does she plan on marrying in the future?

14. Why not give up some of the children to foster care if they could have a better life that offers food, clothing, education, stability, love, etc.?

I too am a young woman, but my sympathy for this young woman is almost non existent. How do I know as a tax payer that she will not get pregnant again? The only sympathy I hold is for the five children.

MERLIMUS

...and more questions

April 21, 2005

Dear Sir,

After reading the front page of today's paper (21st April) concerning Miss Diane McQueen's plight, the following questions came to my mind:-

What is the Ministry of Education doing about educating the young men and women of Bermuda on sex and birth control (Miss McQueen was 14 years old when her first child was born!)?

Could Miss McQueen qualify to receive free birth control from the Health Department?

How could someone with a limited income and no stable home to live in choose to have so many children

What is Miss McQueen's mother doing about educating her daughter on responsibility?

Where are the fathers of these five children?

How many fathers are there?

Is Miss McQueen receiving any child support?

How can Miss McQueen, at the tender age of 22 justify having five children without a job (income) and without adequate housing (it is obvious from the newspaper that she has been looking for a home for a few years now (before the birth of the last three children at least)?

What will the toll of having five children (the last three so close together) have on Miss McQueen's body?

Where does Miss McQueen think the money from financial assistance comes from? Why should the tax money of hard working Bermudians go towards paying someone who, by choice, has more children to care for and feed than they can afford

The ten-month-old child has her ears pierced and with earrings. Can things in Miss McQueen's house be that bad. Will this fifth child be Miss McQueen's last child?

Hopefully these five children will grow up to be good citizens, but if they don't who will Miss McQueen blame? Government?

The real victims here are the five innocent children. I cannot help but feel a little annoyed at the irresponsible way that Miss McQueen has chosen to live her life. Due to her poor choices in life she is putting five innocent lives at risk.

The young people of Bermuda have to stop and think about their actions and consequences. When you choose to bring a child into the world, it is your responsibility as a parent to provide for your child. Not Government, not financial assistance and certainly not hard working taxpayers.

If one cannot provide the simple needs of life like food, clothing, medical care & shelter - do not have children. If you choose to have sex - practice safe sex! Spare the lives of innocent children.

These children are going to grow up to be Bermuda's next generation. Please stop and think. Give the children the best possible start!

WHO-JAKA-PEE-WEE

Warwick

A true man of God

March 17, 2005

Dear Sir,

As a member of Holy Trinity Church for the past 18 years I would be most grateful for the chance to express my views on Canon Alan Tilson and his performance as Rector. Canon Tilson serves the people of his parish, (and those outside of the parish, whenever necessary) with love and compassion. He makes every effort to know his parishioners, their families, and their problems. Canon Tilson regularly visits sick parishioners in hospital or at home and is among the first to call or arrive on one's doorstep in the case of a bereavement. Can the same be said of others?

Canon Tilson believes in and practices what he preaches, and quietly carries out his calling. When it comes to his benefits and his feelings about how a church should be run he can be firm; but I have never seen him motivated by anything other than his strong beliefs, certainly not by jealousy or envy. He is not arrogant or self aggrandising or posturing. He is truly a man of God Can the same be said of others?

Under Canon Tilson's leadership, the congregation of Holy Trinity is a large and thriving church family, with people of all races and from every level of society joyfully worshipping together and enjoying each other's company. I would like to say that I have no idea why the Bishop and Archdeacon have taken their present stand. One hopes that such un-Christian feelings as envy and jealousy are not at the heart of the matter. I would rather believe that the Bishop and Archdeacon are merely unaware of how well-loved Canon Tilson is by our church family.

I believe that a mistake has been made. If so, the bishop and his archdeacon would do well to admit it and ask Alan Tilson to reconsider his decision to leave Bermuda. I would ask that they put aside whatever personal feelings they may have about Canon Tilson or Holy Trinity Church and consider the needs of our church family and the Anglican Church of Bermuda as a whole. If not, perhaps the question that needs to be asked is “Does the Anglican Church of Bermuda rather than Holy Trinity need a change in leadership?”.

In closing, I would like to say to Alan Tilson: “Thank you for teaching us what a true Christian ministry is about. You are a wonderful example of all that is good in the church, of what a rector should be. We will be heartbroken to see you go and we will never forget you and Jenny. Please do not let this dreadful experience sour your memories of your time with us. You have made an impression on all of us and have done more good than you will ever know.”

A HOLY TRINITY CHURCH REGULAR

Hamilton Parish