Community reporter Libby Francis speaks to Mr. Glenn Fubler -- coordinator of unity advocacy group Beyond Barriers -- on how the organisation is helping to put an end to racism in Bermuda.

Unity advocacy group Beyond Barriers aims to raise awareness in the community about issues of diversity and to encourage the elimination of institutionalised racism and the removal of "glass ceilings''.

And the organisation, which is a registered charity, would like to see equal access for all Bermudians to economical welfare and power regardless of race, class or gender.

Beyond Barriers came out of a conference held two years ago which was initiated by the Anti-Apartheid Coalition and supported by the National Association for Reconciliation, the Women's Resource Centre, the Coalition for the Protection of Children, the Portuguese Bermudian Association, and the Physically Handicapped Association.

The effort was funded by the World Council of Churches to combat racism.

Coordinator of the organisation Mr. Glenn Fubler said as a result of that particular conference the anti-apartheid movement was transformed into Beyond Barriers and a core group has worked since that time to help transcend the barriers of race, gender, and class in Bermuda.

"We have been working on a number of projects and a lot of it involves networking with other organisations that address these issues,'' Mr. Fubler said.

He added: "This past year in May we had `One Step Forward' which involved workshops that were held in some of the various businesses including the Bank of Bermuda and the Princess Hotel to bring about discussions on issues of race. "We also collected a fund, which was part of that campaign, which will go towards the local orphans of AIDS, and between $3,000 and $4,000 will go towards a programme in South Africa that establishes nursery schools for the former victims of apartheid.'' Beyond Barriers has also awarded scholarships to students seeking help with pursuing their education.

Most recently awarded was Soweto-born S'Phiwe Dube who arrived in Bermuda in July to pursue a two-year course at the Bermuda College.

He was unable to obtain a scholarship to go on to university -- after graduating from United World Colleges -- and he previously told The Royal Gazette : "I felt it would be a step backwards to return to South Africa at this time. If I could finish my education it would also benefit my country.'' Asked about his views on racism in Bermuda Mr. Dube said: "I think it is swept under the carpet here. It's not like other places, it's more subtle and it runs both ways -- white on black, and black on white.

"I haven't seen what I'd consider to be political activists here, I'm used to this on a very large scale. I just see trouble-makers who keep saying this and that is wrong, but they have no ideas on how to change anything.'' Mr. Fubler said: "We discovered that it is not what we are against, it is what we are for. Beyond Barriers' position is for equal access for all Bermudians to economical welfare and power regardless of race, class and gender.

"We are for building a healthy sense of community which means eliminating racism and any other barriers.'' He added that it also means the involvement of all Bermudians across the board.

"Everyone's help is also needed for those young people who perceive themselves to be on the outside of the mainstream of society, they need to be encouraged and included.

"This would eliminate those symptoms of alienation which can sometimes lead to substance abuse and or physical abuse,'' Mr. Fubler said.

He added: "One of the problems is that we, in Bermuda, often make the mistake of thinking of ourselves in United States terms, forgetting that African Americans only make up 20 percent of that population.

"Consequently, we almost marginalise ourselves and this can be seen in the fact that we don't see Bermuda as ours -- the whole of Bermuda as ours. So many of the things that might be available to all Bermudians in terms of services, amenities etc. we lose out on.

"So one role that I see for Beyond Barriers is to inform and encourage -- especially Bermudians of African descent -- and to make use of all that our society has to offer.'' Mr. Fubler added that the organisation was planning some work in the new year on promoting dialogue in the community both on the issue of race and also cross-generational dialogue between the young and old.

Where would Mr. Fubler like to see Beyond Barriers in five years? "I hope in five years that there is no need for Beyond Barriers, and that the society is one that everyone has access to. I also hope that we see ourselves as one community.'' The money was raised through Beyond Barriers' "One Step Forward'' campaign in which they sought donations of $1 per person. From left are South African Bermuda College Student Mr. S'phiwe Dube, who is in Bermuda on Abeyond Barriers scholarship, Beyond Barriers member Ms Jennifer Ebbin, Beyond Barriers coordinator Mr. Glenn Fubler and STAR treasurer Mr. Cyril Whitter.