And prominent Bermudians have lined up to back the special forum with a series of TV ads.

Human Rights Commission executive director Kenneth Dill said: "This is something new.

"But we believe if you always do what you always did, then you always get what you always got.'' He added: "We're hoping to mobilise the entire community into being a part of this historical determination.'' Among the top Bermudians signed up to support the drive are Human Affairs Minister Jerome Dill, ex-Premier Sir David Gibbons, Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ewart Brown, businessman Eldon Trimingham and Postmaster General Clevelyn Crichlow.

The forum was put together with help from HRC summer students Victoria Greening, a psychology and sociology undergraduate at Queen Margaret College in Edinburgh, Scotland, and LaRondie Harrell, just back from a Rotary Club exchange scheme in Brazil and due to start at Howard University, Washington, DC.

The Bermuda College forum -- run under the logo "Let's Uproot Racism'' -- will involve splitting up black, white and those who classify themselves as neither into separate rooms and letting them loose on the problem.

Mr. Dill said: "We're done talking -- what we want to see now is solutions.

We hope as a result of this brainstorming session to develop strategies to eliminate racism in Bermuda once and for all.'' Mr. Dill said the three groups will be asked to discuss a variety of race problems, including those related to education, the economy, social life and politics.

Mr. Dill said the best suggestions will be put forward to a special committee made up of representatives of each of the three groups, who will implement them.

The forum -- sponsored and supported by the HRC, CURE, the National Association for Reconciliation and Amnesty International -- will be held at the college next Tuesday, starting at 7.30 p.m.