January 14, 2009

Dear Sir.

This year when I attended the Bermuda Festival the M.C. Steve Harvey asked "where did all those chickens come from"? He said he didn't remember seeing them the last time he was here.

I also have a question. Where have all these white people come from in Bermuda? You always read about us having close to a 40 percent white population. But you never really saw them. They were not at Cup Match. Or cricket games in general or football games for that matter. Most of the white people you ran into on the beach were tourists. They didn't go to the same schools I did. Where were they?

And where were they when it comes to the struggle for equal rights and justice for all, namely the right to vote for every Bermudian whether they be black, white or Portuguese. Because there used to be a time when they were classified as Portuguese. They changed that and the average Portuguese miraculously became white in 1968. And they have been voting for the same group of people who didn't think they should have the right in the first place. There were a few white people marching and protesting at that time. Probably less then ten, if that.

And every time me and my brothers and sisters in the labour movement marched and protested for just wages and benefits, namely pensions, vacations, sick leave and new holidays, they were absent again. And if you did run into some of them, they thought we didn't hear them saying, "why don't those black fools go back to work". We heard you. And when the benefits and the wages came they lapped them all up.

The only thing I can think of that could have brought them out of their holes is the PLP election victory in 1998. Prior to 1998 they called all the shots and made all the decisions. That was 11 years ago and they still can't fathom that they are not in control.

Prior to 1998, you would have thought that they were invalids and couldn't walk because you never saw them marching. But now thinking back over the last decade I do believe they have done the most demonstrating and marching.

The Southlands development is a prime example. I do believe that has to be one of the largest gathering of white people in Bermuda's history. Where were these same white folks when we in Warwick were protesting the 400 room Ritz-Carlton on the adjacent property? Nowhere to be seen. In fact when I proposed that we take it to the streets to that group of protesters, they declined that action because they were majority UBP supporters and didn't want to be seen going against their beloved party.

Why didn't they take their placards a few miles up the road in front of the Reefs? Could it be because it be developed by one of their very own. The former Tourism Minister and now former MP Mr. David Dodwell. I could have sworn that this same hotel fought over 20 years against development on this same site. This new complex is probably about ten times the size of the former owners plan. Where were Stuart Hayward and company? Nowhere to be seen.

Back in the 90's when Mr. Fubler was protesting the UBP taking away the Daniels Head beach and the facilities from the youth and Bermudians in general. Where were they? Oops! I forgot the UBP was still in power and every thing that they ever did was such a roaring success. That is why I believe Nine Beaches is now on it's second or third set of owners and still struggling.

Let's talk about the proposed development at the Warwick Long Bay. Stuart Hayward and company claims that it should be kept in its pristine state. What pristine State? There is a tarmac road leading down to the beach. There is excuse my definition a piss poor bathroom down their that if I had a dog I would not let him use it. The Bermuda Regiment stills has its ramshackle target ranges there. If the Bermuda Regiment can go down there and put up some unsightly targets. Then I think if between the PLP government and a young black Bermudian entrepreneur wants to upgrade and enhance the Warwick Long Bay. They have my support. If this same thing was proposed by a white person whether they be local or foreigner under a UBP government. The Stuart Haywards and the like would be their normal silent and invisible selves. And further more are we not celebrating Bermuda's 400 years of habitation. So what pristine Bermuda are you talking about?

Leslie James Smith

41 Beacon Hill Rd

Sandys MA 02