challenge blacks in preparation for Independence, educator and race activist Dr. Eva Hodgson has charged.

Independence advocates in other places "made passionate appeals to their people about the kind of nation they should be building'' prior to becoming independent, Dr. Hodgson said.

"The Premier and Cabinet Ministers have appealed to the black community for a `yes' vote,'' she said. "But at no time have they attempted to inspire or challenge that same community, particularly our black men who live in a totally different economic system.'' Dr. Hodgson, who is the co-founder of the National Association of Reconciliation, also accused Independence advocates of not challenging the black community to "unity, discipline, integrity, compassion''.

"Why have they not recognised that many in the PLP could have joined the UBP, but made the sacrifice not to do so,'' Dr. Hodgson asked. "Is it because they do not really care about the black community once it has said `yes'?'' She also claimed that the Island was not ready for Independence until the black community "is capable of running our economy as is the white community''.

"If every person disappeared tomorrow, the white community could continue to run our sophisticated global economy,'' Dr. Hodgson said. "But if every white person disappeared tomorrow, could the black community run our sophisticated global economy?''