Shortly after his election as leader of the Progressive Labour Party and appointment as Premier, Dr. Ewart Brown created the Bermuda Race Relations Initiative (BRRI). This was to be several discussions on race carried out two days a month over a period of some nine months. The facilitators selected for the discussions were two highly qualified Americans, Dr. Robert Jensen and Dr. Bernestine Singly.

I thought that the BRRI was a very heady exercise for the Premier to undertake, given the historic reluctance of Bermudians to engage in conversation about race relations. My amazement was heightened by his Decision to appoint Mr. Rolfe Commissiong ¿ Consultant to the Premier ¿ to oversee the successful administration of the exercise. My surprise was motivated by a long experience in these matters which left me convinced that attempts to facilitate discussions on race relations in Bermuda required high levels of patience and restraint, qualities which I thought Mr. Commissiong possessed in very limited supply.

As it turned out, the Premier could not have selected a better person as administrator for the exercise in question. Mr. Commissiong succeeded in coordinating effectively the activities of the American facilitators. In addition, he utilised the resources of CURE (a department of government) to maximum effectiveness.

The Bermuda Race Relations Initiative (BRRI) was for me, the most important attempt I have yet experienced with respect to the many exercises designed historically to bring Bermuda's races closer together.

WHAT I LEARNED OF VALUE

Generally, I learned that there were many things that I thought were typical about white residents that was certainly not the case; at least not for those who were in regular attendance at the BRRI. Of first importance was the fact that virtually all of the people who endured most of the entire exercise, obviously had an intense desire to enjoy improved relationships with members of the opposite race. Surprisingly for me, was the willingness with which so many White Bermudians were prepared to share their innermost feelings about 'racism', often through an abundance of tears.

I was impressed further by the fact that although many people of both races said that they found the discussion uncomfortable, they never stopped attending. However, many more found the conversations uncomfortable and ceased attendance.

At least two white people joined the Progressive Labour Party and attended meetings of the PLP Central Committee as observers. This certainly indicated to me that these individuals did not possess the fears and apprehensions about race relations that beset the great majority of the members of both races who were in attendance.

There seemed to be a far greater proportion of black members who were prepared to take positive steps to improve their relationships with the white members of the group. I reached this conclusion by observing the willingness of blacks to participate in organisations that were operated by white members of the community and which were designed to facilitate positive interaction between the racial groups. Examples of such organisations were the Citizens to Uproot Racism in Bermuda (CURB) and the Bermuda Council on Age Concerns (BOAC).

WHAT I PERCEIVED WERE –THE ISSUES OF SEPARATION

Of course issues that separate the races were always present. In general, some people expressed a need for comfortable surroundings and atmosphere in order to discuss seriously methods of improving Bermuda's race relations. This concern was voiced more frequently as the BIG CONVERSATION moved from The Hamilton Princess Fairmont Hotel to the Leopards Club in the latter stages of the Big Conversation. But there were more serious negative factors.

For instance, I had very little contact with white members of the conversation except those with whom I had strong relationships before the initiative was established. I believe that my experience mirrored that of most members in attendance.

I don't believe the Bermuda community has caught on to the idea of having a continuing conversation about race. Perhaps this is because many Bermudians are quite comfortable in their own little conclaves which include only relatives and long-term friends. Hence, given Bermuda's long history of segregation, these little groups involve very little race mixing.

Black persons in attendance did not seem too interested in enlisting the support of white participants in resolving their challenges. Throughout the meetings, I heard blacks talking about the need to get together to do something about their own situation with other blacks without reference to the need for involvement of whites. In this regard, some expressed the need to improve their relationships with West Indians. Still others saw the need for more involvement with youth. This latter concern had its origins in the increasing incidences of gang violence and growing fears that the violence would soon be meted out against non-gang members.

Wrongly, I think, many blacks, in attendance did not believe that whites can provide much assistance in solving the issues important to the black community such as education; the increasing prominence of gangs; improved housing; equality of opportunity in employment and business; and care of the aged. Personally, I felt that whites could make a considerable contribution to the solution of most of the concerns of Blacks, especially those that had to do with equality of opportunity in employment and business.

HOW DO I PERCEIVE THE FUTURE

DEVELOPMENT OF RACE RELATIONS

I believe that as a continuing exercise, there needs to be ongoing, relatively unstructured meetings between the two races that address the following racial components of the Bermuda society:-

i) "Race and the development of the family;

i) Race and religion;

ii) Race and education; and,

iii) "Race and security.

When both races became confident in discussing these topics, they should address the more difficult challenges such as "Race & Politics" and "Race and the Economy".

THE CONTINUATION OF –THE CONVERSATION

The conversation must continue! I believe that the continuation of meetings of the sort just completed will prove to be very useful towards the improvement of relationships between the races. We might consider broadening the scope of the process by utilizing weekend retreats at various strategic points in the conversation (as suggested by Mr. Keith Dubois),

I think that the general public needs to get an appreciation of the fact that the society is changing in ways that will see increasing demands by the black community to share fully in all the decision making processes of this society. This continuing pressure by the black community will increase the fears of whites with what they perceive as continuing polarisation. I believe that this potential for conflict will continue no matter which party wins the impending election.

For all of the above reasons, it is incumbent upon all of us to do all we can to make certain that THE BIG CONVERSATION continues.

calvin[AT]northrock.bm