Do the right thing

August 31, 2005

Dear Sir,

In an attempt to turn a negative into a positive, will the person removing the giant Ethiopian/Lion of Judah standard (flag) that was flying above my concession stand opposite the entrance to Horseshoe Bay, kindly return it.

Brother (or sister), I can appreciate your desire to have the flag, but you have gone about it in entirely the wrong way. Beside the Father's commandment that we not steal, your action has consequences that are far reaching. Getting straight to the point, in doing so you are shaming your parents, your ancestors, yourself and the millions (yes, millions) of conscious souls that died and struggle still for freedom, righteousness and truth.

As well, you are depriving my Bredren and Sisdren who are themselves performing good works and at the same time promoting a positive vibration here in these isles.

The purpose of the flag being put there (hoisted respectfully below the Bermuda flag) was to inspire the hundreds of Rastafarians in these islands to press-on despite the very real obstacles set before them. But it doesn't end there, that flag represents a continuation of a struggle that has been fought on every continent, every country and island where legions of real heroes ? some dead, some still alive ? who champion the rights of their people and lands. Plus, it is a celebration of all the Rastas (freedom fighters) that came before us. For others it represents still more. Wrapped up in that flag is the hope and aspirations of a great nation ? Africa, or as it was called earlier, Ethiopia and The Defender, His Imperial Majesty Emperor Haile Selassie who fought for the unity of Africa and its people. Personally, the flag represents the struggles of my fore-parents and elders who stood for righteousness: My Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus; Ras Bob Marley; Sister Diana, The Princess of Wales; Dr. Nina Simone; Dr. "Zacky " Marshall; all the Bermudian and International musicians who sing on a conscious vibe; all the writers, local and international who use their gifts to waken the people to their condition, and the countless souls that have toiled and continue to do so to uplift their people despite obvious hardships. And importantly, the flag is the standard for the teachers of the youth who will carry the baton/torch for future generations of conscious minds.

Your decision to take the flag down, while I was napping just a few yards away was brazen, and is cause for you to evaluate yourself and prayfully to get help. What's more, it was hurtful to me in a way that perhaps you do not now know. If yours is a personal vendetta against me, I am more than approachable ? let us reason together ? more than anything I desire to be at peace with everyone. But please do not penalise the hundreds of people who receive joy at seeing the flag flying.

While none of us is perfect, the right thing for you to have done would have been to work (for your own money) and then gone to one of a number of businesses selling African-centred goods and purchase a flag for yourself.

Furthermore, parents, if your child has come home recently with a giant Ethiopian/Lion of Judah flag than it is your responsibility to enquire as to its origin. Though I suspect that if the person is tall enough to remove the flag, then they are old enough to know better. Besides appeasing me, you are saving his or her soul. If he would take the flag so unabashed, there are a great many more tears to come for your family. But it needn't be the case. Take steps now!

And finally, to the person concerned, it is worth remembering also, you have caught me with my eyes closed, but Our Father in Heaven doesn't sleep and nor does He slumber. Do the right thing. Put it back!

Peace and Love.

It's still going on

August 24, 2005

Dear Sir,

The Ministry of Community Affairs is currently presenting some of the life experiences of Dr. Clarence Terceira under their Treasures Programme. It is both interesting and instructive. He seems to have been one of those fortunate people who received a series of scholarships and made the most of his opportunities. (I know their value since I, too, had them). He went to Saltus Grammar and was a founding member of the UBP so he seems not to have suffered even the more limited discrimination inflicted on some Portuguese. He comments that he never used discrimination as a crutch. But he seems to have had little reason to do so.

Since the '70s there has been an idea abroad that seems to say that if one acknowledges and recognises discrimination it is being used as a crutch. My own experience says something quite different. Before the '70s, when racial discrimination was overt and Government sponsored, the black community knew it and fought against collectively. Black teachers like the late Dame Marjorie Bean motivated their black students to do their best because even their best was going to be scorned. No doubt that is one reason that Berkeley Institute students of that time often surpassed students in "private" schools like Saltus Grammar in their overseas results. Blacks were motivated with a work ethic which meant that they achieved constructive if modest goals despite the obstacles.

Since the '70s when a few blacks have received financial and other social rewards far above the majority of blacks, they have joined the song and dance which declares that discrimination must be ignored. The recent published salaries informs us that even those blacks who have worked hard and achieved educational success are still being discriminated against. Their best is still not good enough. Dishonesty and a failure to face up to obvious obstacles is never good for a society. The destruction that it has wrought in the black community is obvious. Acknowledging and recognising racial discrimination was never a crutch for black people when they could be honest and open; it was obviously a motivating forced. Today the black community pays a very heavy price for the most financially successful blacks among us. The price we pay is having those blacks turning their backs on the black community and in effect often supporting the policies which destroy us.

Today's young blacks who have to pretend that discrimination does not exist need to begin by reading Minister Dale Butler's series. It is the pretence that it does not exist which adds to the frustration of many young blacks who respond by sitting on the walls. They are not being challenged, as we were, to succeed in spite of the discrimination which we all knew was there. It motivated us to succeed in a way which young blacks are not allowed to be motivated today by our reality even though the obstacles are often still there. It is the dishonesty which has destroyed us and which is obviously tainting so many other aspects of black life from the top to the bottom. These highly paid civil servants were not indoctrinated with the concept that they had a responsibility to all of those other blacks who were living below the poverty line because racism was alive and well. Instead since they were indoctrinated with the idea that racism no longer existed they seem to feel that they should be as well off as their white compatriots. That has become their goal rather than struggling for a society that is without discrimination. They were not being allowed to face our reality. Dishonesty never works. It only corrupts.

Keep it short

August 22, 2005

Dear Sir,

When I talk to strangers in various parts of the world there are two facts about Bermuda that the great majority of them know. They are that many people living in our Island wear Bermuda shorts and that our country is situated in the Bermuda Triangle.

I was therefore amazed to read in a local newspaper that some Bermudians were referring to Bermuda shorts as a relic of colonialism. This ridiculous statement was very well exposed for the nonsense it is by Peter Woolcock's recent cartoon on the subject in .

Bermuda shorts are unique to Bermuda and look very smart. They are worn by Governors, politicians, doctors, lawyers, accountants and many others. They are certainly a very pleasant contrast to the baggy, loose fitting garments, some with manufactured holes in them, worn by some of our people!

Are we to say that our judges and lawyers, who wear wigs and robes, are wearing relics of colonialism? The answer is a resounding no! In the Caribbean many of the judges in former British colonies still wear wigs and robes, as do the speakers in their Parliaments.

It is all about tradition and a dignified way of life, which, I am sure, Bermuda will always maintain, whether it is independent or not.

Bermuda shorts are our Island's national dress and are world famous. I am convinced that they will continue to be so.

Why are we waiting?

August 27, 2005

Dear Sir,

How will Independence bring about good education?

Why wait until Independence to improve education? By waiting to take action as the PLP has done for seven years, many deserving children and young adults have been lost and other children are in the process of being lost. This is not good enough. I hope that parents and students can hear me. Can the PLP power-gang hear us voters? They had better or there will be a message waiting for them at the next election!

Since Senator Roban has admitted that the education system needs improving, why should we as concerned citizens and parents wait until Independence?

Why has this PLP Government not addressed this problem? Building big schools at massive runaway cost to the parents and voters and feathering their own nests and the nests of their friends is not, I repeat not, helping those left behind by a poor and poorly-administered education system.

PLP in-group: I suggest that you address this educational problem ? !

Stop this race hate

August 22, 2005

Dear Sir,

Attention PLP. I was one of the vast Bermudians (white and mixed) that voted you in 1998. We were looking for change, tired of UBP's many promises but never putting out for the average Joe Blow.

I for one had never voted in my life and decided that year to vote for you, despite my family (strictly UBP) who would kill me if they knew that I helped put you in power. I being the black sheep of my family decided to vote PLP!

Your platform was Bermuda for Bermudians. I thought that meant me too. But now I see that we, meaning whites and mixed, are not included in your plan. You talked a good talk and roped us in. Due to mistakes made by white slave owners way before our time, our families are being punished for them.

Why can't you all (UBP and PLP) just let sleeping dogs lie. No one needs to forget but forgive and go on. Change can only come when the past is left in the past. Both of you stop arguing and nit-picking. Be the adults we know you are. Maybe if you all come together and listen to one another without criticism things could work out. Prejudice needs to be stopped here and now. Look around you, blacks and whites are coming together marrying and having mixed children. Where are they to stand in your war? At the Exhibition this year I saw so many mixed families I was flabbergasted ? young and old couples. If we can do it, so can you!

Lets stop the race hate now! Start fresh and get our people together once and for all. Be the Bigger Party make the first move. Please.

Talking horse sense

August 27, 2005

Dear Sir,

I would firstly like to respond to Annie Sousa's Letter to the Editor in which she talks about the breeds of horses pulling carriages.

Firstly, I would like to know when she became an expert on horses? How many horses has this woman owned in her life, to be able to comment on what horses are good to work with a carriage!

Stick to the ponies Annie, which you have raced down Vesey Street! I guess it is OK to do that, while whipping the heck out of them trying to get to the finish line first. Before you wrote the letter did you not think that the ponies you raced down on the track were bred originally as Shetland or Welsh Ponies which were used to take children for a ride and which humans then decided to breed to Standard Bred Horses so that they could make racing ponies to of them for the sheer pleasure of man.

While carriage horses are taking a leisurely walk around town, ponies are being raced along South Shore in the heat of the day, sweat dripping from them, for what!! So that you can see them race on a track, their hearts pumping away, possibly getting into a tangle with another sulky (which happens every year) and getting hurt. Why does the SPCA make such a fuss about carriage horses but does nothing to stop the abuse these ponies get? I can only imagine what Dr. Madeiros would say to the Press if a carriage horse was being whipped and raced around town!

As for the 'Single Bermudian Woman' who wrote "Two Burning Issues" on August 19, 2005, I guess you have never been to New Orleans, New York, San Antonio, Philadelphia, the Amish Country where horses are used as we do in Bermuda but in more extreme heat. The Amish use any breed of horse as a form of transport, they do not use cars. Temperatures go up to over 100 degrees in Pennsylvania, and believe me, they do not walk their horses!

Secondly, I would really like to know if you really think that any Government is going to take into account that you have dogs to take to the vet, which is why you should have a car? Get Real! What they should be more concerned about is not allowing expatriats having cars who have children to take to the hospital or a similar emergency. No offence intended to dog lovers!

DEE CHARLES

Paget

It's time to speak up

August 30, 2005

Dear Sir,

Having just read Wayne Furbert's Opinion column in Monday's saying it is time to end the silence, and also reading the frightening news in your editorial, that if we become Independent, the auditor general will be chosen by the PLP and restricted to a limited term, it is indeed time to speak up.

First, it is insulting and shocking that our Premier speaks so disrespectfully about our Governor, and all because he is telling us the truth. It is the Governor's job and duty to point out the changes that will take place if we become independent.

We have been told in no uncertain terms, that EU and British passports will no longer be available to Bermudians who do not have family ties to the UK. This is course will affect the majority of Bermudians, and is probably the most important reason to think very,very seriously before we take the fatful step.

Anyone who has tried to travel extensively with a Bermuda passport knows the problems this can cause, when officials in foreign ports have never heard of Bermuda. Where is Bermuda? Are we a Communist State? Should we be allowed into the country? Ask anyone who is well travelled, and they will tell you the same story.

It was interesting to read Walter Roban's page in the Mid Ocean News; "Why Bermuda should go it alone". He says that it is a customary practice by the British to give a transition time to those holding Colonial passports, at least until full sovereignty is attained. This could be a month or half a year, but certainly not along enough for Bermudians to work or study in Europe. Do Bermudians really want to jeopardise their future freedom by seeking so-called sovereignty? It is a fact that those who have already acquired EU passports, and do not have ties with the UK, will have to give them up.

What is most surprising is that Alex Scott is prepared to put his party on the line by insisting on a General Election instead of a referendum to solve the issue of Independence. The PLP won by such a narrow margin before, and that was before this extremely unpopular subject was mooted. How do they think they can win an election with Independence on the agenda, in view of having given the country seven years of unethical conduct, appalling corruption, and the unsolved BHC disaster. And now another few million to be spent on a gold plated car park to be used by Ministers, should they choose to show up at the House.

Bermuda needs a few bright, courageous black men to change parties, and get on with the business of putting the country to rights again.