No apology for Premier

December 6, 2006

Dear Sir,

As I read with disgust the comments against Dr. Brown?s outburst, I note with interest that the most vocal opponents from the Opposition Party are misguided blacks. What is Dr. Brown?s disease? Tell me! Who can name his crime? Is it only because he is black and not white? You see, Bermuda, the impact of black enslavement remains clearly visible in the protracted living conditions, work conditions and socio-economics in our Island.

The financial impact strategically engineered by whites was and continues to be unbelievably beneficial to whites. Over the years, social scientists have written volumes of material depicting slavery and its impact on both blacks and whites. They have described in minute details blacks struggles and the failures of race relations. What they and Bermuda have neglected to answer is the core question: Why were blacks, above all other population groups, singled out for and successfully kept in slavery for such a protracted period of time?

Bermuda, the concept of slavery still exists and similar to the US, the white slave holders did not and will not voluntarily free blacks, nor did the slaves in the US successfully rise up in revolt to free themselves. It took a four-year Civil War. Was there something that was uniquely different about black people that caused nearly the entire world to support and profit from our enslavement? The answer to this question is critical towards helping blacks to better understand the dynamics of slavery and its impact on current and future events.

If blacks were enslaved simply because of our skin colour, then slavery was beyond our control. On the other hand, if weaknesses or other conditions made blacks targets, then blacks must study those conditions and ensure that we are never ever again so vulnerable. Blacks we cannot yet afford to put slavery behind us, as numerous black and white leaders suggest. So for the likes of Patricia Gordon-Pamplin, Neville Darrell, Jamahl Simmons and the Opposition Leader Wayne Furbert himself, who all seem to be Sambos (the real villain in the Uncle Tom?s Cabin story) for the United Bermuda Party to condemn Dr. Brown for living in the 60?s, well Dr. Brown, I need not remind you that black enslavement must be a constant reminder of the ramifications of a lack of collective unity, strength and self-determination.

Dr. Brown you have my full support. I need your courage, Bermuda needs your courage. ?One man with courage makes a majority.? So Dr. Brown as you move towards structuring policies of racial accountability, it will be very important for you and your team to know who helps and who hurts the race. You know where the Dr. Grant Gibbons? are coming from but it?s those Sambos who are willing to pick up a weapon and defend their slave master against you (the PLP) or hide the master?s silver.

The question begs to be asked, what is the difference between the fictional Sambo characters and today?s real-life blacks who join the UBP movement to declare that the Island is now colour blind and are opposed to any policies requiring whites to share the socio-economic burden that centuries of slavery and second-class citizenship have imposed on blacks.

Isn?t espousing a colour blind, race-neutral, melting pot society, a modern way of hiding the master?s silver? What are those conservative black UBP members conserving when black Bermudians are faced with poverty, crime, unemployment, homelessness and other social pathologies? Based upon historical treatment alone, there should be a general antagonism between blacks and those conservatives and I sincerely hope that blacks remember this when the polls open whenever an election is called.

Dr. Brown I conclude by saying that based on history, you have nothing, absolutely nothing to apologise for and I remind those UBP blacks to be careful, because you remember what mama said: ?If you continue to sleep with dogs you?ll get fleas.? Thank you Mr. Editor for your space.

Thank you to Precious

4 December 2006

Dear Sir,

I would like to share a story with your readers which is filled with Christmas Spirit. I was shopping at the People?s Pharmacy on the weekend for a gift for a little girl. I explained to another customer, Precious, that I was buying an item for our church toy drive ?Santa in Reverse? which collects toys and clothes for the Physical Abuse Centre every Christmas.

I asked her which toy doll she thought was more appropriate. To my surprise when Precious replied, she also purchased the other doll as a gift for the P.A.C. She is definitely Precious! I would like to say a big thank you to Precious for showing what the true meaning of Christmas is all about, and may God continue to bestow His Blessings upon her. A blessed Christmas to all at and to all your readers everywhere. Peace on Earth,

Time to get real

December 6, 2006

Dear Sir,

I am writing this letter as a young black Bermudian who has reached the point of ?enough is enough?. I started my business at age 22 and when confronted with injustices, I felt I always had to retreat and never confront any situation. Bermuda is a place where you are made to feel that you have to be careful what you say publicly and you walk as if you are walking on eggshells. We talk in our circles with our family and friends, but where does that get us?

When I returned home with dreads I was labelled and defined as a rebel, instead of the artist that I am. After producing conscious shows like a Tribute to Nelson Mandela, For Coloured Girls Who Considered Suicide, Reality Street, and more I was ostracised even more. I was boxed in early in my career and I never even realised it. Black versus white was never an issue until I came back to Bermuda. Talk about subtle racial tension! I think I?d prefer to see the Confederate flag hanging, at least then you know where people stand.

I was educated in white institutions throughout my life and have always been the minority or ?the only one?. It was never an issue with me. Diversity in life and education was all I knew. Then I introduced African dance and Hip-Hop into my dance curriculum and people labelled it as ?black?. When it comes to the Arts there is no such thing as black, white, yellow it?s for everyone, but ?respect comes with understanding?.

When I was in University, there were more whites learning African dance than there were blacks! But in Bermuda, oh no, that?s taboo. Don?t partake in African culture! I?ve learned that there are repercussions for freedom of expression, even if it?s a positive contribution. In my years of running United Dance Productions I have come to realise that people in high positions holding the purse strings will not give to you once they have been influenced by others who fear you might be getting ahead. I know all about it and you just smile in my face.

I know of every event and cocktail party that every other dance school has been invited to, yet I have been conveniently left out. And when they are ready to give half hearted apologies they think I should forget it ever happened and wash it under the bridge and then they say ?oh, that was than, that was in the past?. Stop bluffing! Recently when I was excluded from being invited to join The National Dance Foundation?s board, I was told I was accidentally overlooked, not just overlooked, but for two years! Overlooked, in a group of five dance schools, where I might add, I was the only black owner. That?s no mistake.

For the record UDP is not a school. We are a school that has set the path for many to follow. We have trained students who have gone on and received full scholarships competing against dancers that have backgrounds of training in performing arts schools. We will always be on the rise because our struggle is hard. Ballet is something that we don?t take lightly and we continue to strive to be technically proficient. You may not remember who won the dance competition two years ago, UDP won, it was a two page article and we were mentioned on the last paragraph of the second page.

To the parents who tell their kids that they cannot attend UDP because the kids are ?bad?, I say nice try. What is your fear? Is the teaching too good or are the kids too black? I feel sorry for you. Strangely enough, we know all of this because your kids tell us! Kids don?t lie and you can?t control their honesty when they are away from you. They say what they hear. No one is begging, except begging for you to quit your subtle racism.

To my black people, you will never be where you need to be if you perpetuate racism on your own. Be proud of who you are, if you don?t stand for something you?ll fall for anything. Don?t be brainwashed. When cut, we all bleed the same. I am thankful for being in white institutions because I understand both sides. I?m thankful for black and white friends. They are all alike to me, friends. We know that money separates us and that?s an injustice. Get real and enough is enough.

Thank you for putting ?black? on me so much that I?ve decided to stand for something and I am not afraid to be ostracised. I?ve already been there. Thank you to the people, both black and white, who understand the struggle. Thank you each and every person who supports the Arts, especially the discipline of dance.

With regard to to the coverage of the ?Dancing for Success? competition in July, 2005, the details of all the prizes were given at the end of the story after a chronological report of the night?s events. For the record, United Dance Productions was mentioned five times on the first page of the report, the same number of times as the Jackson School of Dance, the only other dance school that entered. Readers who wish to see the full report may go to http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050706/LIFESTYLE/107060096. or go to the homepage, www.theroyalgazette.com and search for ?Dancing for Success?.

Thoughtful behaviour

December 5, 2006

Dear Sir,

We want to thank the people of Bermuda for your extreme kindness and gentle behaviour as we have witnessed it these past weeks. We have especially noted your polite behaviour when driving. As new temporary residents and new drivers on the Island we are impressed at the patience and politeness of the other drivers as we manoeuvre the narrow roads and traffic.

We notice how everyone is willing to slow down, go around, or wait, while others are taking care of their business and finding places to park. There are never angry words or gestures only patience and kind ?toots?. We find this thoughtful behaviour different than anywhere else we have lived or travelled. We compliment you on your clean environment, your kind ways, and your consistent respect for others. Thank you!