An organisation aimed at stamping out racism in Bermuda re-launched itself yesterday with a wristband campaign.

Citizens Uprooting Racism in Bermuda (CURB) plans to give out 10,000 black and white bands to Islanders who want to show their support for the movement.

The registered charity ? which originally launched in 1998 but disbanded due to lack of interest from the public ? has reformed thanks to a $95,000 grant from Government.

New president Lynne Winfield told a press conference that the free wristbands ? representing the two major races on the Island ? were aimed at raising consciousness.

?They are linked, which symbolises people?s commitment to working together to eliminate all forms of racism,? she said.

?By wearing a wristband, people will not only be demonstrating their solidarity with the ideals of a just and equal Bermuda for all, but will also wear them as a daily reminder that it is their behaviour that makes a difference.?

She said white people on the Island tended to push racism under the carpet by pretending that there was no longer a problem.

?Although that may be the white perception, it?s not the black experience.? She added: ?There is racism on both sides and racial misconceptions on both sides occur.?

Eva Hodgson, a member of CURB?s 30-strong executive council, disagreed. The historian and author said: ?It makes my skin crawl when people talk about black people being racist. White people are not targeted by racism. What whites chose to ignore is that without (them) having initiated the whole philosophy of racism, black people would not be responding with the hostility that they do.?

Dr. Hodgson added that the Progressive Labour Party Government had not done enough to tackle racism in society.

Ms Winfield stressed that CURB was non-political and would act as an independent watchdog and lobbying group on race issues.

?I think people have to know that we are independent because there is fear,? she said. ?People worry about things and they must know that they can come to us and there is no affiliation. If I thought there was any kind of affiliation I would resign.?

She said she believed CURB could be a success this time around. ?We believe we are going to be far more proactive. If we see the issue of racism raised anywhere, we are going to speak out.

?I think we are seeing more and more evidence of people in the community feeling dissatisfied and unhappy and I think part of this is to do with the divisions that still exist between the races.

?This gap exists. Everybody knows it?s there and we are not doing anything about it.?

Council member Frances Eddy added: ?There isn?t anything that we can discuss in Bermuda without dealing with race, even personal relationships. It?s very deeply embedded. This is an opportunity to be honest about it.?

CURB?s council meets on alternate Thursdays at the Leopards? Club on Brunswick Street at 5.30 p.m.

Anyone interested in joining or in receiving free wristbands should email curbnorthrock.bm.

Wristbands can also be picked up at all post offices, Police stations and libraries.