is exactly on the theme of our editorial yesterday. We print her letter here today simply because it is a view which should be part of Bermuda's consideration of racial issues in our society.

Her letter says: "On Sunday my husband and I and two of our close friends decided to make our way up to Dockyard to join in the festivities of Culture Fest. We were all pleased to see that there was an event which promoted `Unity in the Community' and offered all people the opportunity to learn and experience the different cultures, races and ethnicities that encompass Bermuda.

There were many booths which sold various items of specific cultural origin.

There were singers and dancers and it was a well organised event.

Unfortunately, I have one complaint. We happened upon a booth selling T-shirts. I took exception to a couple of T-shirts which were on sale at the booths. One of the T-shirts displayed a symbol; above it was the phrase `Never Forgive' and below read `Never Forget'. The other T-shirt spoke at length of the `African Holocaust'. Could I have misunderstood the intent of these shirts and the message which they extended? In my opinion, these types of shirts have no place in an event where acceptance and tolerance of other cultures, races, and ethnicities is being expressed and encouraged.

I believe in freedom of expression and that it is every individual's right to wear what they want, but is the intent of these events not to set aside prejudice and learn about different cultures and people? It makes me ponder the state of our Country when we systematically allow certain individuals to disguise racism as cultural enlightenment and educating one's people on the injustices done to them.

Bermuda, as a country, does not allow people to walk the streets with shirts promoting or alienating homosexuality. We do not allow people to parade on our streets with shirts or other items containing obscenities or phrases promoting racial divisions. Why then do we encourage individuals to wear shirts that promote `Black Power' and preach the coming of the Black Revolution. When an individual wears a shirt rallying `Black Power' he is expressing his personal opinion on the state of his race proclaiming that he is `Proud to be Black'.

Why is it then that we call a shirt which proclaims `White power' inflammatory? We argue that it incites racism and promotes racial division.

It is this type of drift in the views of what is acceptable for one person to do versus another which adds to the perpetuation of racist ideologies.

I do not believe that I encourage any racist acts and I do not in any way deny that racism is a problem in Bermuda, but if there must be items defining the ills of racism, why can there not be just as many outlining the ways in which we -- as as community -- can help stop the problem.

Our youth take pride in wearing shirts and caps with drug paraphernalia plastered across them. These same people are purchasing T-shirts which encourage reverse racism. We teach black history in our schools (Bermuda College) to educate and enlighten society about the injustices which occurred during slavery and at present, but do we encourage our youth to be proud of their history and heritage and to become independent and take charge of their futures regardless where they have come from? It is important that we understand how we as human beings have evolved over the years. We cannot deny what has taken place in the past but to remain in the past serves no purpose but to continue the oppression. We should not encourage the perpetuation of the same attitudes and injustices which society tries to overcome by offering occasions where we all have the opportunity to learn from one another.

There are riches to be found in all cultures if one has the desire to learn. I believe it is a choice one makes to bear the weight of one's culture like a stone on their shoulders. It is a conscious decision to accept the events which have taken place and learn from them.

Educate our children in the hope that we can overcome the disasters of the past. Show them love and understanding and encourage them to persevere, to succeed and help others to do the same. Teach them not to hate or bear hatred in their hearts but to forgive -- not necessarily to forget -- what has moulded our history.

Life is too precious and short to deny one's self the joy of others based on racial, cultural or ethnic discrimination. Embrace all people and cultures as they were your own community. One race -- the Human Race...''