Blacks need to speak

July 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

Almost every time a white person complains to or about the Brown Government they are labelled as racist.

If another white person complains about this, they too are labelled as racist. Few black people openly object to this behaviour. The sad reality is that unless a lot more black people complain about this behaviour the Brown Government will continue to act this way and many white people will have to assume that the black population of Bermuda is ok with that.

PAS

Warwick

Stop using race

July 7, 2009

The following is an open letter to the Premier

Dear Mr. Premier,

Do yourself and Bermuda a favour: stop pretending that everything in this world is a black or a white issue. I am nearly 60-years-old and no-one has to tell me what black folks have endured over the years and the injustices that we have had to put up with. But let's get real, we are now living in times when for the most part, black people can do and become just about anything they want. After all, you are the Premier and you are black. Why is it that you and some of your party members believe (or pretend to believe) that any white person who disagrees with you is racist?

Now I am not so naïve as to believe that there is no racism in this world, but it is clear that the world is moving in the right direction and that at some time in the future, racism simply will not be tolerated by intelligent thinking people.

The election of Barack Obama is a clear example even in a country as "white" as America, many, if not most white Americans voted for a black man to become president of their country.

So why is it that certain individuals within the PLP continue to use 1960s rhetoric as if blacks in Bermuda are still slaves? I find it interesting (and embarrassing) that there are still individuals out there who are hell bent on getting some "payback" from the days when blacks where disenfranchised.

So I say to those people, "grow up". As a black man here in Bermuda, I can achieve anything I want. The irony is that I am living in an era when if someone is standing in the way of my progress it's more than likely another black person.

EMBARRASSED BERMUDIAN

Sandys

Roban's shame

July 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

Walter Roban should be ashamed of himself!!! This newest member of the PLP Hall of Shame forgets that he works for ALL Bermudians, black, white, multi-racial, purple or yellow!! How DARE he call a constituent a racist or bigot! If that isn't the teapot calling the kettle......... I wont finish that quote!! Maybe Walter couldn't think of an intelligent way to respond to a concerned constituent, thus resorting to immature name calling "I don't like what you have to say, so I'm not going to talk to you anymore." Sounds like playground antics to me!!

Of concern to me, but hardly surprising is the lack of a response from the 'people's party'. A politician who makes such remarks to a constituent makes himself sound like an ignorant fool, and makes his party look the same if they condone such behaviour!!

CONCERNED BLACK BERMUDIAN

Paget

Gas upon the fire

July 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

Well, Dr. Brown must be absolutely enthralled. He now has a protégé under his wing, Minister Walter Roban. He and Dr. Brown must have been separated at birth because the similarities are just uncanny. They both love to play the race card. They both love to fester up false racial claims against whites and the UBP. They love to ignore the obvious discontent amongst black voters for their actions as well.

This is totally getting out of hand. We live in a first world country and yet we have these backwards old venomous racist comments still being said; and by elected officials nonetheless! It disgusts me.

How dare Minister Roban respond to a voter in the way he did and as well as say the BAGC group is founded by white racist ideals. As per usual he didn't even bother to think 'oh wait, it was founded by a young black man and oh wait one of its commendable outspoken vicars is Janice Battersbee'. (I highly commend them both for their actions.)

That is just the thoughtless arrogance that allows racism to still exist in the world today. Let me just say to Dr. Brown and Mr. Roban that nobody cares that you are black. We care that you are WRONG! Nobody cares that you're PLP we care that you're UNPROFESSIONAL. Two people of such education as Mr. Roban and Dr. Brown really shouldn't be so backwards in thought. If they really did care about healing racial injustices, they should do so by peaceful example of how one is supposed to act.

If they want to extinguish the fire of racism then they need to stop throwing gas upon the fire because eventually that fire is going to rage and burn the innocent. They are playing with the old flame of racism and they are going to get burnt. Stop the cattiness and racial bickering. Let's all act like educated civilized individuals and not like "rabid dogs", a false, slanderous term Mr. Roban called the protesters in June.

It's 2009 and on such a small island, racism could really become a thing of the history books. It's our 400th anniversary, and yes in those 400 years racism here did occur, but let's make the years to come racism free!

ROBERT DAVIES

Devonshire

Outraged by MP

July 6, 2009

Dear Sir,

I have friends in Bermuda and I read The Royal Gazette periodically to keep up with the news on the Island.

I first visited in 1977 as a 17-year-old and loved it. I have been back many times over the years and each time a little of my love for the Island dies because of the changes I am seeing.

The violence and racism that has become daily front page news in Bermuda is shameful, and today's story is so outrageous I am truly shocked that it was printed without some sort of disclaimer from The Royal Gazette.

I am referring to the 'MP's email arrogance' story. Clearly, and I do mean clearly, this man appointed by the other one is cut from the same cloth with regards to his total lack of regard for his constituents. The people of Bermuda, and that means all of them no matter their skin colour, deserve representation by a person that will value them and their opinions on matters that affect them, as Bermudians and not people of one colour or another.

The Premier knew full well that the issue of the Gitmo detainees would cause controversy if the people knew about it ahead of time and he deceived the people he is supposed to represent and then told them basically that there isn't a damn thing that they can do about it. Well one thing that people can always do is to speak up and be heard, but here is someone arrogantly denying a Bermudian her right to be heard and the Gazette is reporting it as just another ho-hum news story.

Where is your outrage for God's sake? I am outraged by this situation, and on behalf of the Bermudian people, for having their island used as a dumping ground without their say so as well as being told to "shut up and sit down" by their government instead of hearing their concerns.

I believe that Bermuda was "used" by the US in this situation and that had Dr. Brown gone through the proper channels, Britain might have at least gotten something for Bermuda's 'service' rendered to the US.

KELLY

Columbus, Ohio

Does Roban need help?

July 6, 2009

Dear Sir,

Is it possible that Walter Roban needs a psychiatric evaluation and medication? At the very least the man needs a basic lesson in good manners and, dare I suggest, diplomacy and tact. If Premier Brown is hell bent on stirring up racial hatred in Bermuda he could do no better than recruit more people like Mr. Roban. Bermudians are much more savvy than Dr. Brown would give them credit for but they need to act.

If there is to be an award for making people feel unhappy, anxious and apprehensive about the Island's future, I would like to nominate Dr. Brown. To all you Bermudians still sitting around your dinner table worrying about the direction in which this man is taking you (you know who you are) stop talking, and take action. Get involved in politics, make a contribution. Dale Butler showed the way, actions speak louder than words. It shouldn't be that difficult to replace such an unpopular leader with someone with a desire to lead Bermuda for all Bermudians regardless of skin colour.

As for Mr Roban, I wonder if your mother would condone your rudeness?

A OUTERBRIDGE

Hamilton Parish

Wake up Bermuda

July 7, 2009

Dear Sir,

I am a black Bermudian man and I have to say that I take exception to the Minister's response calling the lady a racist and bigot. He is the one who in my eyes appears to be a racist. The lady wrote an e-mail speaking of her concerns, which is her right. He has to remember that when he sits in Parliament he is not just representing black Bermudians, but all Bermudians whether black or white. The march to my mind was not in the least about race but more about protocol and procedure.

I am a supporter of the PLP party, just like my parents and their parents before them, so I don't want anyone to think that I am a UBP supporter. What we as a people and as a country want and expect from the Government (PLP) and this relates to all members of the party and that is to lead the country with dignity, honesty, transparency and respect for all, regardless of the colour of our skin.

To my mind it is certain members of the PLP party whilst speaking of racial harmony are undertaking certain courses of action that both prevent harmony and instigate disharmony. Their actions remind me of the way the English went about their business, they would create confusion which allowed them do all sorts of illegal acts because everyone was busy pointing fingers at each other that they had no time or energy to see what was really happening. I think that the certain members of the PLP party (the Government) are doing the exact same thing. So I say again, wake up Bermuda before it is too late. I say to Mr. Roban, he should remember that he is only there because his bosses (the people of Bermuda) put him there and they can remove him as well.

TIRED OF THE FOOLISHNESS AND DIVISIVENESS

Hamilton Parish

Disgraceful handling

July 6, 2009

Dear Sir,

It is very disheartening when an elected official cannot hear out a concern from a member of the public. Democracy is based on freedom of speech, and on the basic idea that a person is valued enough to have the right to share an opinion with the governing body. If an elected official only wants to receive e-mails which are in line with their own world view then they should think about going to a country where a dictatorship is the norm, and where people are only allowed to mouth the party line.

This is, indeed, very worrying. I applaud Claire Smith for caring enough for her country to write to the elected officials with her grievances in the first place. I also applaud her for sharing with the Bermudian public the disgraceful way her complaints have been handled. She is a fine example of what a democracy upholds and rightfully cherishes.

EXTREMELY CONCERNED

Paget

A precipitous course

June 9, 2009

Dear Sir,

First, I give thanks and praise to Almighty God and I ask for His guidance with the words that proceed: What is this folly that a leader in this country should guide his constituents to consent to so precipitous a course of life as gambling? This country was never founded upon such, nor its inhabitants so purposefully beguiled.

These lands have prospered, and not by a gamble, so why now should we allow that vice and its inherent impiety even close to our island home? Was it a gamble that the early settlers floundered upon these shores? No such thing. Rather, it was through the grace of God, the vision of a better life, careful planning, sacrifice, and a steadfast determination.

Friend, let me take this opportunity to introduce you to Christ Jesus, who, being the only begotten son of God the Father, with so perfect a love, gave His life upon a cross, that We, who so choose, should gain eternal life and a certain victory over those challenges in life that so easily beset us – financial woes included. With His sacrifice came the promise of a brighter day and the promise of an inheritance to all his riches in glory. (Philippians 4:19)

Has not the Saviour corrected us before with these words: "… Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:" (Matthew 7:7, KJV)?

What is gambling? Is it not taking a risk: speculating; taking a chance? It is hazarding. It is a trap door. Friend, your life is too precious. Why squander it away on a gamble (or worse, set a snare for guests to these isles)?

Instead, choose a certainty. Choose Christ Jesus. Surrender your life to His divine providence and having done so invite Him to dwell within your heart. I promise you that the road ahead may not be easy, but you have His assurance that He "will never leave you, nor forsake you". (Hebrews 13:5)

For those of us already acquainted with Christ Jesus, who are living testaments to his goodness and his mercy and His grace, it is for us now, more than ever, to allow our lights to shine and to share our stories that those so desiring this perfect peace, might see and be encouraged.

Moreover, I admonish you brethren and sisdren: Do not surrender to the Devil and his schemes. His time is indeed short. Resist him, and befittingly gird yourselves with the full armour of God – shield, breastplate, helmet and sword. (Ephesians 6:11)

RAS EDMUND

Southampton