Kudos to KEMH

August 3, 2009

Dear Sir,

This was sent to Mr. David Hill, Chief Executive Officer of King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and copied to The Royal Gazette.

Dear Mr. Hill:

Recently, I spent a little over a week at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on Gordon Ward. Glowing praise for the team of Dr. McGowan along with Dr. Wade, Nurse Melca Moreno and others. The wonderful care and attention were much appreciated. Full marks go out to all of them including Dr. Jones and staff at the Emergency Department. With all best wishes,

MARGUERITE C. DICKENS

A card of thanks

July 10, 2009

Dear Sir,

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre organised the 2009 Tag Days Fund Raising Campaign on July 19th and 20th and through the help of 'Letters to the Editor' we would like to sincerely thank the community as a whole for their overwhelming and generous support of this event. Thanks to everyone from Somerset to St. George's — and all parishes in between. By combining everyone's efforts we raised a grand total of $17,604.58.

Along with our appreciation for every donation so generously given by our community over that weekend, we would also like to recognise the many people who contributed to this significant total — our hardworking and dedicated team of volunteers and canvassers who turn out every year for us — our corporate and retail businesses, church groups and service clubs, seniors clubs, our event organisers and, most important of all, the thousands of donors who responded so generously by putting donations into our buckets.

The funds this year will be used to set up a Cancer Information Centre for newly diagnosed patients, their families and loved ones. A diagnosis of cancer is overwhelming and not knowing where to turn for help makes patients feel powerless and always fearful. Communicating about cancer is more than providing accurate cancer information. It is about understanding where people are in their journey, what motivates their search for information, how much they already know and what they need. The introduction of a Cancer Information Service will address the needs in an effort to help reduce distress levels at the time of diagnosis.

So to everyone who helped, contributed and supported our 2009 Tag Day Campaign, please know how valuable your support has been towards helping us achieve this goal — we offer a heartfelt thanks to you all.

PAULINE GIRLING

Marketing/PR/Fund Raising Director

Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre

An alternative view

July 29, 2009

Dear Sir,

The article in your paper dated July 29th entitled "Political and racial bickering are getting in the way of serious issues" contained valuable information about the upcoming Bermuda International Women's Leadership Summit, and I am always impressed by the integrity, hard work and commitment of Mrs. Diane Gordon, Executive VP Bermuda Chamber of Commerce, who was featured in your article. I am excited by the speakers and topics for this year's Summit, especially when one of the areas for discussion is social development and how women can affect social change. I attended last year's Summit and found it excellent and encourage women to enrol this year for a truly exciting experience.

I would like to offer some alternative ideas to the comments made by Mrs. Diane Gordon, Executive VP of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce. Mrs. Gordon believes that for Bermuda to continue to succeed we must work together as "Bermuda Inc." This is a term that has been used for many years to describe how Bermuda was and is run both politically and economically.

What is Bermuda Inc.? Historically it was the white oligarchy, otherwise known as the "Forty Thieves" who very successfully ran the island like their own personal company. So for the black community it may not have conjured up positive images and may not have been the best terminology to use. Today Bermuda Inc. has morphed and we see that it is global, international companies, who predominantly work within a white cultural setting, that are the guiding power behind our economy. Yes, there is now black political power, but the economic power still lies predominantly in white hands.

Capitalism is thriving, despite the current economic downturn, banks are making money again, new technological advancements are myriad and multinational companies are spreading throughout the world, but this is not benefiting everyone. Globally, 94 percent of world income goes to 40 percent of the people, while the other 60 percent must live on only six percent of the world income. Half the world's population lives on two dollars a day or less, while almost a billion people live on less than one dollar a day.

Bermuda is obviously one of the lucky countries, in 2008 the World Bank listed Bermuda as having the second highest gross national income per capita out of 210 countries. So it appears that Bermuda Inc. is doing extremely well. Or is it? I think the average Bermudian would disagree. For among all this wealth we have lost our way emotionally, politically and socially.

The fact remains that despite the obvious economic success of Bermuda there are still substantial disparities between the races in quality of education, earnings, executive positions and equity ownership. We know why this is the case, because of the legacy of slavery and segregation, but we cannot even begin to address it, if, as Mrs. Gordon says, "we stop dwelling on all the… racial issues… there are so many other issues out there which are much more important, such as the economy, that we need to be focusing on." Of course the economy is the most important thing for companies, but for the many Bermudians who can't afford rent, electricity, fuel, medicine, health insurance, child care, or food, it is the basic necessities that are the most important thing.

It is necessary that there is a focus on ensuring there is a strong economy and building a successful business environment, however there is also a critical social responsibility that must be inherent in our corporate environment. A number of companies/organisations in Bermuda try hard to be good corporate citizens and are interested in social change, however for too many it is mere "window dressing."

In Bermuda corporate social responsibility must go one step further… organisations need to aggressively address the issue of equity disparities between the races, that is accepting and establishing racial equity as a central tenet and operating principle to improve outcomes in the internal work environment. That is focus not just on improving outcomes for all but also on reducing racial gaps; focus not just on diversity in the workplace, but also on racial equity in opportunities for advancement and leadership; and focus on the fundamental distribution of resources in terms of money, infrastructure, and opportunities within and outside organisations by examining its programs and alliances. Companies should be actively seeking out opportunities to benefit others as they do business; be supportive of legislation that supports racial equity; and seek advice and guidance from the Commission for Unity & Racial Equity on how best to navigate the issue of dialogue/actions around social justice and racial equity within the workforce.

Is this too much to ask of companies in the midst of an economic downtown? I would answer No, as it is during an economic downturn that it becomes even more critical to make corporate social responsibility are priority.

LYNNE WINFIELD

City of Hamilton

Embrace your neighbour

July 23, 2009

Dear Sir,

Eva Hodgson in her letter "Race Reaction" on June 27 expressed bewilderment at the "anger" which is generated by her observations regarding Bermuda's integration or division. She asks: "Is Bermuda a racially integrated society or are we still a racially divided society?"

Bermuda has been my home for over a quarter of a century. In that time I have seen integration irrespective of race, nationality, or gender, or political perspective, where differences of opinion have been expressed and considered with respect, and I have seen the opposite, where differences have become cause of irrational hatred, resentment, and envy … and vitriolic anger which seeks to justify itself, very often by citing the cause as being justified by what happened between the races many hundreds of years ago, and its lingering effects even into the 1960s.

Slav, Greek, Egyptian, Chinese and Roman slaves have long been forgotten. The millions of "serfs" and "subjects" who died of starvation and slave labour have all been forgotten. The almost 2 million European captives who were enslaved in North Africa have all been forgotten. The over 40 million who died, many in slave labour conditions, in the Second World War have all been forgotten.

Why? Because their descendants look the same as their ancestors' tormentors, so no-one knows whose ancestors were slaves and whose ancestors were slave masters, and those whose ancestors were not involved at all. The same arguments should apply between black skinned peoples and white skinned peoples. Who knows whose ancestors were slaves and whose ancestors were conducting business in this abominable trade, the curse of human history? And who knows whose ancestors had nothing to do with it at all?

But instead, a steady stream of virulent invective, a poisonous puss-filled putrid sore grows like a cancer across society. People, who for whatever reason have had their career ambitions thwarted, blame it all on race. People who fail examinations for medical qualifications blame it all on race. People who rob banks blame it all on race. People whose exploits lead them into bankruptcy blame it all on race. People who commit crimes blame it all on race. People who don't like what you say blame it all on race. What has effectively happened in recent decades in this culture of entitlement is that there is no such thing any more as the acceptance of personal responsibility: it is all the fault of race.

So, yes, to answer Eva Hodgson's letter's primary question: "Why do some people become so furious, etc.", I personally believe that they become so furious because they want their children to become responsible for their own actions and for their own successes and failures, to develop character, and not to blame the sins of the past when countenancing their own ability to succeed. To have confidence in their goals and their ability to achieve their set goals. Tomorrow is already here today. To undermine tomorrow's children with carping and negativism is to commit yet another crime: to enslave the mind to failure. Stop the viperous hissing and embrace your neighbour as the good book suggests, and we will get there: we will live in a racially integrated society. It's already been happening for years, but only those who want to see it happen have recognised it.

TACITURNUS

Southampton

Uncomfortable reading

August 6, 2009

Dear Sir,

Are white people irrelevant in Bermuda? This is an interesting question. If we contextualise the current symptoms of white social and political despondency against the background of historical change and past injustice against black people, then we will see this present situation more clearly. This is perhaps the century of the black man in Bermuda. This group has waited a long time for this to occur. As a minority, the white population must accept that it belongs to an historical legacy that sustained a very unjust society. It will come as no surprise to learn that some black leaders have an intolerance of white views. The view of many whites represent "old Bermuda". No doubt this will cause some indignation among white Bermudians. However, our current leaders grew up in a very unjust society.

There is no doubt that it will take a few decades for the opinions of white people to be accepted again. Perhaps it will require some race relation laws to protect the ethnic minority groups?

I would imagine that as the social fabric of society continues to fall apart, more and more people will become personally acquainted with aggravated burglary, violent crime and illegal narcotics criminality. These concerns tend to make many families choose to leave Bermuda. White families will more than likely see their future outside of Bermuda. The social collapse of community cohesion coupled with the vulnerability of Bermuda to the effects of climate change make Bermuda's long term viability less than favourable. I would suggest that many white families have already thought about possible options for themselves and their loved ones.

Of course, as a group like any other, white people have lots to offer. Unfortunately, we have heard that community's voice rather more than some of the others over the past decades. Bermuda will not be a better place for the lack of a white voice, however, the white community will have to realise that this is not their decade or maybe not even their century. The black community will rule and they have probably earned the right to make mistakes in government, just as previous white governments have done. It is uncomfortable reading for many white people, however the evidence of white disempowerment and subsequent depopulation is clear to see in other past colonial jurisdictions. It is a phenomenon that is occurring in Bermuda and is largely unstoppable. The longing of white Bermudian people to return to a "golden age of political influence" is somewhat similar to that expressed by Southern Rhodesians worldwide as they lament the destruction of what was one the bread basket of Africa.

OBSERVER

London

Recognise the progress

July 29, 2009

Dear Sir

Re: Eva Hodgson (The Royal Gazette, July 29). Say what you will but please don't accuse me of ignoring anything you say. If I read it, I don't ignore it, Dr. Hodgson. And, in case you hadn't noticed, it's fairly difficult for all us white folk, especially this old white man, to 'ignore' you. One of the main points of my letter was to point out the repetitive nature of the content of your letters. What I was trying to say was that you just might be losing some of the positive effects because of all the other repetitive blather. Mrs. H., I don't mean to be mean but most of us "get it" in our own way, maybe not all of us and maybe not "in your way" but we do get the message. Next.

On a more positive note, I thought that the points you raised in your letter as "things to do" were excellent. By all means, let the PLP do all those things that will favour or 'correct the wrongs of the past' toward blacks. May I make one comment? Although you seem to condemn us for our "unearned privileges", I cannot undo my past and I can assure you that, among those "unearned privileges" was the demand by my Momma and Poppa that I behave with decorum; that I do an honest days work; that I treat people with respect; that I earn my rewards (despite my position of privilege); and that I be accountable for whatever happens to me. If you give in to the sense that blacks have to have it handed to them on a platter to right all the wrongs, as opposed to earning what life has to offer, you run the risk of diminishing the value and the benefits of those gifts.

Look, today is today. The Government is black. Blacks have virtual free rein in the job market. Scholarships go mainly to blacks. Blacks truly are getting fair treatment in almost all sectors of our society. We have come a long way, so lets not ignore that fact. There's more to do, I know, but let's recognise some progress ... no matter who you want to give the credit to. I do take issue with some of your other assumptions but let's leave them for another day. All but one. The concept of a Big Conversation in the eyes of many white people (I do not include the Winfield family) is flawed, in its current context, for two reason: first, it is not a "conversation", it is (and I have been to a few meetings) more of a Big Lecture, and, far more importantly, it has been promoted by the likes of Rolfe Commissiong and the PLP who clearly want to use it as a political tool and not as a unifying or "meeting of the minds" concept. If there is to be a meaningful "conversation", it should be the way it was in the beginning when you and others were meeting in small groups at Bermuda College. Good letter and thanks for responding.

POLLY

Southampton