Racism is the real issue

April 27, 2004

Dear Sir,

It is obvious to me that the Independence debate is actually a debate about racism. The fact that it is not discussed in that way reflects a feature of our Government. It is entirely black but addresses the race issue only in sinister innuendo and forced smiles. Certainly slavery is a humiliating institution and in our history it was followed by a period, for blacks, of systemic social inequity. Have we all gotten past this? No, we have not; not white people or black.

To be a Bermudian, it seems to me, it is necessary to recognise that slavery and racism have made deep rifts in our culture that will not go away for a long time. When blacks talk about racism they are reticent to speak to white people about it and not trusting. Every comment or assessment of racism by white people in public is immediately suspect.

White people feel they have to dance attendance on this paranoia. Of course they resent that deeply and start making their own sinister innuendoes, ignoring history and the difference in viewpoints until they begin to sound a lot like their black counterparts. This is perceived as racism by the other side and the cycle starts again. The other minorities jump in and out of this game of blame when ever they receive slights from one side or the other.

The issues of all races are seen in this light causing more aggro and misunderstanding. People become aggrieved and make florid moral pronouncements against the morally culpable. The victims of these accusations become aggrieved and also adopt a high moral tone. And we Bermudians, we love morality, don't we.

The race issue is embarrassing for any Bermudian. We have lived with it for years and we still haven't sorted it out. The UBP did not provide leadership in this area and that lack affected everything they did from housing to education. Ironically the PLP is positively somnolent on the issue. Equally ironically they are mucking up on those very issues that the UBP messed up on ... housing and education. Independence: this is the non-issue that raises its ugly head when all the other issues are too much bother.

Housing, crime, drugs, social violence in and out of the home; these are real problems that have vast racial ramifications and also relate directly to social class in Bermuda. As soon as you talk about them you are talking about racial experience and racial history.

And no politician UBP or, astoundingly, the PLP seems to be able to provide leadership and maintain a national dialogue on the issue. Its much easier to shift the whole racial discussion over to a discussion on Independence. Then the Island gratifyingly and predictably separates into its racial components (references that have always been comforting for Bermudian politicians of either party) without actually discussing the real issue of race.

Blacks seems to be mostly for Independence, whites almost all against. Why? Because to whites, British heritage invokes no real pain and for Blacks it very definitely can. How else can the clear division on this issue by race be explained? But are we directly discussing race in this independence "debate"? Of course not. We're Bermudians and that's not nice. We'll do it the nice way and never really deal with it.

Besides we're used to sniping at each other. We know each other better that way. We will then never have to face the fact that it wasn't the British who made life for blacks in Bermuda so baldly inequitable; it was Bermudians themselves.

SPCA says thank you

April 28, 2004

Dear Sir,

It was an awesome day for Bermuda's pets and its people. The sun shone brightly and there was activity everywhere in the Botanical Gardens, the scene of the SPCA Expo. It was a day for family, a day for animals in a country fair setting. Some people brought their children while others brought their dogs; others came alone. Laughter abounded, children played, people became reacquainted, new friends were made; it was a day of community. The SPCA opened its arms and shared a special day with humans and animals alike by offering fun events, interesting displays, good food, great activities, along with a dose of animal awareness and education.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I write on behalf of the Committee of Management and Staff of the SPCA to acknowledge the support of those who attended our Expo this past Saturday. It was a privilege and a pleasure to host this event and we were humbled by the success of the day. From ring events to kids' crafts and games, to a schools' poster competition, to a fabulous cat display, to animal educational booths, to a small animal display, there was much to see.

For those who chose to do a 'drop of shopping', there was the 'Nearly New Boutique' selling second hand items, a used book stall, the SPCA merchandise stall, hand made quilts, home baked goods, home grown roses and garden plants. And out in the open air, cotton candy, snow cones and popcorn flowed; faces were painted, body parts tattooed. Fun prevailed.

One of the highlights for us was the SPCA Dog Parade, a fun competition with SPCA alumnae as entrants. There were 40 participants in the class and it was heart-warming for those of us affiliated with the SPCA as we got to see, firsthand, our adopted animals loved by their owners. It provided affirmation of of the things that we do ? find loving homes for deserving animals. One of our volunteers was moved to tears as she watched this class and I know that she was not alone!

Our sincere thanks go out to those who worked with us to make our Expo the success that it was ? the participants, our volunteers, our Dog Parade sponsor, children from various schools, the Parks Department and Works & Engineering. We couldn't have done it without each and every one of you. Expo 2004 was truly a wonderful, fulfilling day for us and it certainly seemed to be enjoyed by all. Thanks, Bermuda, for your support. Your participation and generosity has assisted us in 'speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves'.

Unintended victim

April 27, 2004

Dear Sir,

I've heard on the radio talk show how some people feel about the fight that broke out at Wellington Oval in St. George's a few weeks ago. I would like to tell those people who felt that these men were victims of some kind, that they took the innocence of an eight year old and made him a victim. He left home to go to a football game, not to see a man slashed in front of him with a knife, and to have the blood of that man on his T-shirt and sneakers to remind him of the horrific sight he saw.

Every time he goes to sleep he wakes up crying because this fight plays over and over in his head so he sleeps with his mom or she'll sleep with him. This eight-year-old who used to enjoy outings with his family, does not want to go anywhere there's a crowd because he's afraid of loud noises and this eight year old is in counselling because of the actions of adult men have made him their victim.

P.s. By the way his counselling is coming out of his parents pocket, to those callers on the radio, think this is fear to them?