If you lined Bermudians up in a long line precisely graded by skin colour with the most washed out white at one end and the blackest black at the other no one could mark the dividing point on one side of which were blacks and on the other whites. Here lies the fundamental absurdity of the CURE regulations, the most blatantly racist law to find its way into Bermuda's statue books for generations.

There is, however, a cure for CURE. The likelihood that a `black' Bermudian could prove herself to be free of contamination with `white' blood is remote.

Similarly there is probably no `white' family in Bermuda without any `black' blood at all. Certainly I can prove the presence of `black' blood in the veins of at least a dozen or so prominent families who think of themselves as `white'. Thus, on the single drop principle, we may all legitimately describe ourselves as both `black' and `white' for the purpose of the CURE regulations.

Every human is of African ancestry. Africa is where the human race began.

This, on the basis of ancestry, we must all regard ourselves as `African's Bermudians', whatever our skin shade. The same principles apply to Bermudians with Portuguese ancestry, none of whom could prove themselves to be without Moorish blood. The same principles may equally well be applied to contract workers in the Island.

The obvious and quite legitimate solution to the problem of dealing with the CURE legislation is to describe everyone on the payroll as `black' and forget about it. Any prosecution under the act would bog down in a morass of disputed genealogy and be shown up for the absurd piece of inept thinking and racist intent that it is.

BLACK AFRICAN BERMUDIAN City of Hamilton Fears of CURE July 22, 2000 Dear Sir, Some office mates were having a chat around the water cooler (black and white ex-pats and a Portuguese Bermudian) and we were discussing the ridiculous aspects of the CURE legislation in a rather lighthearted way. Then, one rather naive guy said: "I thought they got rid of racism in the 60's,'' to which the reply was "that's because in your home in Wyoming, you ate all the black people.'' (laughter).

This was not a racist comment, just a joke... at the expense of white people in Wyoming I might add. Meanwhile, just out of sight was a new job applicant... a black Bermudian who may or may not have overheard the conversation. When I realised that that person may have heard but not put faces to the discussion, I felt that the applicant may have felt uncomfortable at that point, and I felt bad for them.

We would not be discussing race in the first place if it was not for those who would like to highlight these differences between us. The guy from Wyoming, in his own unique way, was speaking for a lot of us when he said that he thought racism was gone. If you go to Toronto, you will find an incredibly liberal and non-discriminating population today. When I came here I did not see people in terms of race, but all the talk of racism here has made me draw differences between people that I never would have.

Now, if you are truly trying to use protectionism to better Bermudians in the workplace, then do so. You already have the work permit restrictions... why is that not working? OK, we all know because you have told us, that it is not Bermudians that you are trying to protect, but black people. God knows, you are not trying to help Portuguese who may be discriminated against.

Affirmative action has been tried and discarded in a number of places due to the damage it does to all parties concerned.

My biggest fear of CURE, and I'm sure that it is shared by many, is being labelled racist... when the reason there may be fewer black people in our company is that none who are qualified have applied. We demand pertinent experience or skills in the people we hire, no matter where they come from. I fear that the CURE forms will be used to twist the truth. We all know the PLP agenda, and it is very hard to look at statistics fairly when you are trying to draw a predetermined conclusion and have such a small sample population from which to work.

I interviewed a black expat recently, and he did have many of the qualifications to do the job, but I did not like certain aspects of his character, and he had a bad reference, and so I rejected him on his own personal merits. I assure you race had nothing to do with it. I should be allowed to make the choice of who I want to work with, and not choose him/her because of skin colour. Even stranger, Mr. Lister, I even believe that you would have me choose a black expat over a non-black Bermudian.

I know some companies who actually say, "The cost of doing business here is that we hire some unskilled Bermudians and do not expect much of them, but just use them as bodies to aid work permit renewal.'' Does this make you feel good as a Bermudian? I guarantee the effect of this situation will be to promote bad Bermudian stereotypes and racism, not eliminate it. I have a plan to get rid of racism, eliminate all stereotyping of Bermudian workers as lazy, and motivate the population to get educated and be the most motivated workforce it has ever been all in one sweeping act -- eliminate all work permit restrictions, CURE forms and other protection based approaches.

BAHAMA BOUND? Paget Congratulations to Lister July 22, 2000 Dear Sir, The CURE legislation about greater opportunity for black people need not mention Portuguese. They are from the white continent and the last time I looked they were white. This fact associates them with what is known as the oppressors. It was a waste of time for Hon. Mr. Terry Lister to even talk to the press on the subject. At this point I congratulate him on passage of the act. It seems to me that here in Bermuda the black people helped put themselves at a disadvantage because of love and trust for every other race of people but their own.

During my time as a contractor for certain aspects of building I experienced multiple forms of rejection. Portuguese were as much of that as anybody with the exception of one. This same thing goes for other non-blacks, again one.

Thankfully the black business people who were lucky enough to get contracts did not hesitate to deal with me. This was not because of love for me but because of good workmanship at a fair price and promptness.

During the '80s and '90s I protested regularly though Letters to the Editors of all the papers against denial of opportunity to even bid on jobs signing my name. This was because of offers of employment as opposed to being offered a contract because of blackness.

This is the period for changing of ways of thinking.

ROSS TUZO Warwick Deadbeat dads slammed July 19, 2000 Dear Sir, I am writing in response to the letter "Stop jailing deadbeat dads.'' While the letter writer made some valid points, I beg to differ on others. First of all, this is not a racial issue. Neither Bermuda Government nor Mr. Greaves is out to "get'' black Bermudian men. The truth of the matter is that these men are suffering the consequences of their own actions. If these men don't want children, especially with a woman he isn't committed to, then he shouldn't have unprotected sex with her. These men should take a break from their raging hormones to ask themselves if they want this woman as their "Baby's Mama.'' If he doesn't want that commitment, then he should keep his pants zipped up! Women don't get pregnant by themselves, conception requires a man's participation. Therefore, the man isn't totally helpless and should take partial responsibility for birth control to protect himself.

I took total exception to the writer's claim that "most'' women spend child support money on clothing for herself so that she can look good sitting on a bar stool. I'd be willing to bet that for every mother sitting on a bar stool, that there are ten fathers sitting next to her! These supposedly jobless fathers, who can't support their children, can find the money for their booze, weed and wheels. These same fathers will reluctantly part with child support money, but will happily buy rounds of drinks for their friends at bars and think nothing of it! What it all boils down to is priorities, and sadly their children just aren't top priority for a lot of these men.

What these guys have to realise is that with the little support money mothers receive, she has to cover the child's medical/dental care, clothing, shoes, books, school activities (loads of field trips with a price tag attached!) after school care, transport and that's not even talking about keeping a roof over their head and food in their stomach! The stark reality is that most mothers will bust their butts to ensure their children don't do without! The mother doesn't have the option of a carefree, child-free lifestyle. If the mother was to turn her head and walk away like a lot of these fathers do, just where would these poor children be? If these men were to be up front and honest with the mother and the Judge instead of making excuses, then they deserve a chance. Locking them up isn't the best solution, but if they avoid their responsibility and sending them to prison gives them a short, sharp wake-up call, then I'm all for it! ANY MOM Anywhere, Bermuda