I HAVE been reading the various opinions on the plight of the Bermudian black male with some interest — not least because I fall into this category. Needless to say, I have some opinions of my own on the position of the black male in Bermudian society — some of which veer from the routine categorisations that are so often used when discussing the status of black men in the Bermuda context.Let me begin by stating what I consider not to be at the root of the problems faced by black males today.

Contrary to the popular opinion of many, slavery no longer impacts on the situation faced by the black male in today's society. Nor for that matter does the former existence of institutionalised racial segregation — and this is especially true for the generation of young black makes which it is judged to be in the most trouble in coming to grips with their status in today's society.

However, having said that, I will not deny that what black males (and black people generally) face is the legacy of slavery and institutionalised racial segregation which not only denied their human rights but stunted their economic growth and, in many cases, prevented the black community from enjoying the full benefit of economic development.

The question could well be asked, why didn't the black community develop its own Bank of Bermuda or Trimingham's in the post-Emancipation period? The answer? Because Bermuda's racial laws and race-based customs prevented them from doing so.

This story repeated itself all over the world, wherever white and non-white met, and is responsible for the vast gaps in wealth which still exist today between the non-white world and the white world.

It has often been said and is recorded in history that the institution of chattel slavery was no cakewalk for black people in terms of human degradation and economic exploitation.

Because slavery, succeeded by its sister in human misery, institutionalised racial discrimination, were such harsh experiences for black people, psychological aspects of their twin legacies still exist today. The historical memories of these dehumanising practices remain especially poignant for black people. However, if it is not put into their proper historical and social contexts such historical memory could end up distorting the future for black people in terms of their world view and their understanding of their place in the world.

Slavery is something that most people want to put behind them as they look to the future. But if we fail to understand our experience in slavery and during the period of institutionalised racial segregation, then we may become confused as to what steps we must take to chart our future.

At this point you may be asking yourself what all of this has to do with the plight of the black male in today's society?WELL, first let me state that slavery did not break black people. In fact, there is no modern history of a people who underwent such a terrible experience and yet survived to build viable communities that — despite continuing and ongoing problems — still have the potential for further development in all aspects of human endeavour.It is for this reason that, as a black man, I do not see myself as a victim of racial discrimination. This is not a denial of racism and its impact. Rather, it is a statement of resistance and determination that I will never give the racist this last victory. A racist will never break my spirit.

Too often black people, when they speak of the legacy of racism, give the impression that they are waiting for the perpetrators of racism to come and save them. I do not expect the perpetrators of racism to save me; I will save myself.

Why is it in Bermuda that my generation (and the generations before us) still managed to overcome despite the obstacles placed in our path? It is no accident that the backbone of Bermuda's blue colour and working class came from pasts where they had to exist and live in the teeth of racial discrimination and lack of social opportunity and development.

Yet they still survived, flourished and today can be found in some of Bermuda's leading positions (and I am not just talking about politics; they hold down leading positions in the civil service, the Police Service and not a few own successful businesses).THE problem, I think, stems in part from the failure of so many family units. Interestingly in this regard in the United States, a study has found there were more two-parent black families in segregated America than exist today in the post-segregation era. I wonder if such a study were done in Bermuda would it come up with a similar finding? Probably.But as regards to the dysfunctional and anti-social behaviour of some of our younger black males, despite the problems which the older generation overcame, I think it's also fair to say that perhaps too many of us have let our children down — not showing them how to both survive and succeed in modern society.

For every gang member out there, there is a father who has not upheld his responsibilities and, regrettably, there are also some mothers who, for whatever reasons, are standing in the way of those fathers who are willing to play their roles.

As we await the release of Government's long-anticipated report on the black male, I hope its findings do not portray the black male as a victim waiting for someone to save him.

For in the final analysis, a man must save himself or, if he is a young man, be shown by his elders how to save himself and thereby save future families, a community and, ultimately, a nation.