examination of Independence in the run-up to a referendum might well be a chance for constructive dialogue.

There is a natural tendency in any society to say no and continue to support the known, or to reject anything new or different and certainly there is a tendency to reject anything the result of which is uncertain.

If Bermuda reacts that way to Independence it would be a shame. There are a great many people who would see the putting aside of something as important as Independence as repressive.

It seems to us that it is important for Bermuda to remember that there is nothing wrong with discussion. There is nothing wrong with an informed vote.

We think that Bermudians have two things to discuss with one another. They should discuss race and they should discuss Independence. They have to be honest and open in both cases.

Race seems to be the more complex and emotional issue and the more difficult issue to be open about. However it is fair to say that Independence has racial overtones in that many blacks see it as the final step to freedom. Many whites fear that very freedom because they are uncertain where blacks may go if they are independent.

However, Independence is an issue which might be ready for general discussion.

Race is a different matter.

We think that whites need to discuss race honestly with one another and blacks need to discuss race honestly with one another as part of the process of the races beginning to discuss race together.

We say that because there are too often assumptions among the races that the opinions of their group are the same. That is not true. The spectrum in each racial group runs from hard core prejudice to colour blindness. That has to be accepted or we will get nowhere.

Then there is another element which must be recognised and addressed. Running through the races are various shades of prejudice which affect the Portuguese community.

Yet whites seem to feel that all blacks think alike and blacks seem to believe all whites hold views which are much the same. And the reality is that individuals often think that their group thinks the same as they do, which is very seldom true.

It will take some honesty in the discussions which approach race because too often whites and blacks stay silent in the face of outright prejudice. The ugly words appear in the privacy of all white or all black groups and go unchallenged by otherwise honest men and women either because it is easier or because it is not the place to cause a scene or just because deep down somewhere there may be agreement with those ugly words.

Both groups have problems which are unique to themselves and problems which they share as Bermudians. There are things wrong in the way both groupings function and there are problems about which the groups have to be honest with themselves before they can exchange that honesty.

Too often the groups close ranks, "Nothing wrong with us, it must be them'', and that attitude takes any discussion back to square one. Too often honesty from inside or from outside is taken as criticism.

We have to start be getting past some of the stereotypes we all know exist about whites as a group and blacks as a group.

It seems to us that whites could start by attending some "black'' events where they might get a little exposure. And blacks could start by agreeing that not all whites expect blacks to make the first move. This is, of course, simplification but we hope it just might be a start.