Throughout this year there have been many significant events to mark 400 years of Bermuda's history. A major part of that history involved the struggle for social justice, mainly because our early beginnings came amid the dark period of slavery that sadly engulfed many parts of the world.

Post-slavery conditions throughout most countries involved in this practice made the hard fought abolition of slavery almost appear as a cover for finding other ways to suppress people, who found themselves officially out of bondage but far from free, from participating in all areas of community living.

Many brave people, black and white, gave their lives in the quest to eradicate post-slavery racism from societies around the world. Here in Bermuda as in other parts of the world, significant progress has been made in trying to bridge the social gap between the descendants of slaves, and slave-owners.

The election for the first time of a black man as President of the United States was a giant step towards reaching the point where people are assessed by their abilities alone. As a result, racism as we once knew it suffered another deadly blow. It took black and white support in America to bring about this historic milestone. However, in order to remove left over stains of racism, and the injustice it carries, a massive adjustment in attitudes on both sides is required, and that in itself is a blockbuster challenge. Most would agree that deeply rooted negative attitudes cannot be erased overnight.

History teaches that even in the darkest of times, the human spirit is capable of finding ways to celebrate the good qualities of life.

Anne Frank, who fell victim to the German Nazi machine in the Second World War, never lost her faith in our basic humanity. In her diary, she wrote that there is good in everyone. The wife of Richard Allen, founder of the AME church, devoted much of her last years administering to sick black and white women because she saw them all as sisters, despite terrible racial conditions. Even here in Bermuda we need to celebrate the many unsung heroes, black and white, who carried a torch of hope for a better tomorrow, in the face of structural social conditions that discouraged equal opportunities for all. Many of these heroes and heroines never had their names in any newspaper for their efforts, but they quietly kept the fire of hope burning.

Out of that struggle emerged many solid citizens who laid the foundations for the values most Bermudians are proud to claim today. These values cross racial and political lines, because they are based on ideals and principles that have withstood the test of time – truth, honesty, respect, and integrity.

I recall attending morning assembly at the Central School, now Victor Scott, and before the school day began, there was prayer and a hymn. The teachers were magnificent in ensuring that discipline was alive, while making certain that basic values for life were taught along with academics. This is not to say values are not being taught today, but since those days, much has changed in parenting and how we administer discipline.

As a result of these changes, Bermudians are growing increasingly concerned about the direction the country is heading. Although we have many fine, positive-thinking young people who focus on making a contribution to their country, there are far too many who behave as though the rule of law means nothing.

An increase in gunplay – and it is anything but "play" – on our beloved Island cannot be taken lightly. As a youngster the only gunplay I heard was on the movie screen. It was all so far away. Now, for whatever reason, there are deeply disturbed people who seem committed to disrupting the peace that made Bermuda a special place.

We can no longer avoid facing up to problems simply because solutions seem to be out of reach. We cannot rely on gimmicks and ignore the decent values that brought us this far. We need leadership in all areas that trumpet the importance of honesty, respect and integrity. These values build character, and without them, we will grind out educated robots, who might measure success according to how much one accumulates in the world of materialism.

In the world of politics, it will be a great day when there are no safe Parliamentary seats as voters cast ballots based on a candidate's quality, rather than racial or party connections.

It would seem that day is some distance away. The great Marion Anderson during a tour in Asia in the 1950s chose a song with words we could all benefit from. Having experienced the wrath of segregation in her homeland, before a large gathering, she sang: "You have to be taught to hate the people your relatives hate." This song from the Broadway show South Pacific, stressed that most of the prejudice in the world is simply passed down from generation to generation. Babies are not born hating anyone.

As we celebrate 400 years we cannot do so without serious concern about illegal drugs, crime, violence, gang activity and a lack of respect that is overshadowing our way of life. No political party can solve these problems alone. The task ahead requires everyone who loves Bermuda to play a role in helping to build a Bermuda that will truly be based on doing the right thing, because it is good for the entire country.

Bermuda will not be saved by political decisions alone, but only by the Bermudian people who must be willing to lift the banner of truth, honesty, decency and respect, in order to provide a guidepost for future generations.