Dear Sir, The last time I wrote a letter to the Editor, you chose to use it as copy for a front page story. Maybe you will see the merit in this letter and do me the honour again.

For the past three years or so, I and every other Bermudian who reads your newspaper have been privy (through your newspaper) to a conspiracy to destroy Dr. Donald Peters' professional and personal reputation.

Although I have not spoken nor written publicly about my concerns regarding this matter, I have talked and written to various people "in authority'' whom I believed would see this situation for what is truly is. Obviously my words fell on deaf ears and the conspirators continue to inflict their venom -- using your paper as one of their means.

However, what they do not realise (or maybe they do) is that in attempting to destroy Dr. Peters, they are at the same time destroying Bermuda's only institute for tertiary education.

With regard to your front-page story today, written by none other than Raymond Hainey, it is time the matter be set straight, or at least some necessary insight be afforded your readers -- especially since Mr. Hainey refuses to provide objective responsible journalism.

Yes, Tara Soares is a physicist. Michael Bradshaw is a biologist. Both Tara and Michael have Masters degrees in their respective disciplines. Tara Soares was never named as the approved candidate for the position. In fact, the interview panel has no authority to name an approved candidate. The interview panel can only make a recommendation. If someone on that interviewing panel advised Mrs. Soares that she was the approved candidate, he/she was out of order and breached confidentiality and should be reprimanded.

Your college insider states that "Tara Soares has several years experience in applied science and technology''. Let it be known that Mr. Bradshaw has several more years experience than Mrs. Soares. Most importantly, Mr. Bradshaw is a Bermudian and Government's policy on the issue states: "the order in which qualified people are to fill jobs in Bermuda are: (1) Bermudian; (2) non-Bermudian spouse; (3) divorced parent, etc.'' Therefore, has Dr. Peters and anyone else at Bermuda College appointed Tara Soares to the position instead of Michael Bradshaw, they would have been in contravention of this policy. However, we do know that this would not have been the first time that the College has disregarded government policies.

Further, let it also be known that Dr. Peters in his position as Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs has the right to appoint anyone whom he believes is qualified and capable to a position. Mrs. Soares knows that, Mr. Bradshaw knows that and so does your "college insider''.

The fact of the matter is that making such appointments is the reason Dr.

Peters is the subject of this conspiracy. During his tenure at Bermuda College he has appointed many other qualified and capable Bermudians to positions, and rightfully so.

To name a few, he appointed Duranda Greene to the position of Dean of the Faculty of Hotel and Business; he appointed Jeanette Matthew to Admissions Officer; he appointed Ernestine DeGraff to the Human Resources Department; he appointed Sheridan Talbot to Dean of Student Services; he appointed Gary Simons and Emancia Outerbridge to Associate Dean; and he appointed Toni Richardson to Director of Marketing. In total he has made eight appointments, all Bermudians and coincidentally, all black.

In addition to empowering Bermudians, under his leadership at Bermuda College, he has also insisted that international faculty have doctorate degrees; introduced articulation agreements with Kent Law School, Northeastern University, Plymouth University and many historical black colleges and universities; created a Faculty of Applied Science where the enrolment has increased from 32 to 60; insisted that the library and the computer labs open on weekends so that our students have the best possible chance at success; introduced a student government; and most importantly increased enrolment by 38 percent.

I too am a college insider, but I choose not to hide behind anonymity. I, and most other black Bermudian faculty and staff are aware that racism exists at our Bermuda College and continues to rear its ugly head -- sometimes overtly and like yesterday, covertly.

However, Dr. Donald Peters did not introduce racism and racist practices to Bermuda College, it existed long before he set foot upon Bermudian soil and will linger long after he has left.

What Dr. Peters did do, however, through his leadership, is highlight the racist practices which have existed at Bermuda College since its inception.

One only need read Dr. Muriel Wade-Smith's book or listen to Dr. Eva Hodgson to have this fact confirmed.

In addition, those Bermudians who believe that Dr. Peters has been the cause of all of Bermuda College's woes should talk to the many Bermudian educators who welcomed the new thoughts and initiatives that Dr. Peters brought to Bermuda College.

Unfortunately space does not allow me to go into further detail and to impart more knowledge upon my fellow Bermudians regarding this matter. But Bermuda College is a public institution and each taxpayer has the right to question what really is going on at Bermuda College.

Certainly, the above should be enough to show why there is a conspiracy to destroy Dr. Donald Peters' professional and personal reputation. However, I do believe that Dr. Peters, like many of us who have been victims of racism, will not allow this experience to kill his spirit and he like others, will continue to fight for justice and equality for all people.

LAVERNE FURBERT