A US pastor last night told the United Bermuda Party faithful that blaming racial problems for personal failures was a cop out.

The Rev. Floyd Flake -- New York City minister of one of the biggest AME congregations -- said that when people made wrong choices in their lives, they blamed racism.

But he added: "They say it's a racial thing -- all too often what they mean by race is that when they had the opportunity to develop themselves, they let the time slip away.'' Dr. Flake, a former Democratic Congressman who quit politics to devote himself full-time to his church, admitted that view "was not always a popular speech on my part, particularly with the leaders of my party.'' But he insisted: "Instead of looking inwardly, they look outwardly to the someone they can blame for what happened to their life. We must find ways to transcend race.'' Dr. Flake was the star speaker at the United Bermuda Party banquet at the Southampton Princess Hotel last night -- and won a standing ovation.

Dr. Flake preached a gospel of governments working together with the private sector and social services to improve the lives of ordinary people.

The pastor -- whose church is involved in a major low-cost housing project in his area of St. Albans, Queens -- said home ownership changed lives for the better.

And he added that education was "the key which opens the door to a successful future.'' But he warned his audience that success in life brought its own problems from those who had not drawn on "the strength that comes from within.'' Dr. Flake said: "In your rising, they see what they could have been and when they see you rising they realise they did not do to put themselves in the position you are in.'' He said: "You cannot always experience support when you achieve...there are always people waiting for you to make a mistake.'' But Dr. Flake warned: "There is one area where we cannot afford to be tolerant -- that is drugs because it breeds violence.'' He added that drugs "impact not only on the community, but impact on the lives, not only those who are abusers, but the sellers and on families.'' And he insisted: "Anything which breeds violence in an area is something with has to be dealt with. It should be dealt with, but dealt with fairly.'' He added that he spent time talking to drugs dealers -- "the CEOs of an illegal trade'' -- and found "they are some of the most brilliant people in the world.'' Dr. Flake said: "These young, seemingly unintelligent, brothers and sisters have created multi-level management systems.'' And he called for that natural business talent to be channelled through discipline and education.

He added: "If we try to incarcerate them we won't have enough room on this Island -- and the cost of educating them is much less than the cost of incarcerating them and educating them.'' Photograph -- Page 2