A truly terrible decision

May 28, 2006

This was sent to Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield and copied to The Royal Gazette

Dear Minister,

I was shocked and distressed to learn that you have de-listed Queen of the East. In my opinion this is a truly terrible decision which makes a nonsense of the whole listing process and just invites other owners to let their special buildings deteriorate to the point where they are unsightly and falling down.

Queen of the East is a particularly important building, loaded with history, listed Grade 1 and one of the very best examples of Bermuda's architectural heritage. When I was on the Historic Buildings Advisory Committee the owners were contacted at least once by Planning and made to do some minimum cleaning up. Why didn't the Department staff follow up on that? They have the power to do so. And, even if they failed, why did your Ministry allow Planning's laxness to be used as an excuse for de-listing?

None of the current members of the Wilkinson family did anything to earn that building — they inherited it in trust from their uncle who must be turning in his grave to know how they have abused that trust. They have deliberately neglected the building for years. I know that the Bermuda National Trust has several times contacted them about it and I am 99 percent certain that if the family had given or sold it cheaply to the Trust there would have been so much financial support from the public that it could have been restored to be a first class dwelling, attractive to many people with or without parking. Why were the Wilkinsons not made to explore solutions of this sort?

Presumably now the building will be demolished and yet another office block built there. East Broadway is already officially the most polluted spot in Bermuda and will be even more of a trap for fumes. Not only will yet another important part of Bermuda's heritage be lost, but everyone using East Broadway will breath more toxic air.

MARGARET LLOYD

City of Hamilton

Keep King's dream alive

May 21, 2007

Dear Sir,We have much further to go to be free of the hatred that cripples us from being free as humans. It makes me think of Martin Luther King Jr. and his Dream speech — how he dreamed of everyone (all God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics) being able to join hands— How he dreamed that one day people would be judged NOT by the colour of their skin but the content of their character. And that "one day—little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers". We celebrate his life and words, but are we taking them to heart?

As a black man, I witness the insult to the words of Martin Luther King each time comments are made, sadly, by people of my own colour, telling a black man or woman, who is involved romantically with a white person, that they hate their own colour or are crossing over, without accepting that they are in love with the character of the person. It saddens me that we, as humans, can treat each other this way; that we can go on judging by colour of one's skin instead of the content of one's character, so many years after the dream.

YOUNG BLACK MAN

City of Hamilton

Get rid of whiteness

May 19, 2007Dear Sir,In response to the article, "Webb to PLP: 'Get over' race," let me state that it is not get over race but "get rid of whiteness."

Derek Bell, currently a visiting professor at New York University Law School and a compelling voice on issues of race and class in this society, in the Epilogue found in "When Race Becomes Real: Black and White Writers Confront Their Personal Histories", states the following which support the position of "get rid of whiteness":

The essays in this volume run the gamut from heartfelt to soul wrenching. For me, after more than forty years of work in every aspect of the struggle against racism, they reinforce my decades-tardy realisation that racism in all its myriad manifestations is beyond the power of law or the desire of most of our citizenry to reform.

In the United States, (Bermuda), where property is a measure of worth, many whites with relatively little or no property of a traditional kind — money, securities, land — cling to their whiteness as a kind of property.

Whites are reinforced in this by the law, which recognises and protects this property right based on colour the same way it recognises and protects any other property.

Professor Cheryl Harris clearly explains how it works when whiteness is valued "as treasured property—in a society structured on racial caste." She instructs that, "In ways so embedded that it is rarely apparent, the set of assumptions, privileges, and benefits that accompany the status of being white have become a valuable asset that whites sought to protect——Whites have come to expect and rely on these benefits, and over time these expectations have been affirmed, legitimated, and protected in law."

Noel Ignatiev, who suggests he coined the term "white skin privilege" more than thirty years ago, takes things a step further. He advocates that for real change in race relations to occur in American (Bermudian) society, people who have been "brought up as white" must learn to "become unwhite".

To be sure, to get beyond race as a basis of status, the nation's whites at every level will have to wrestle with this question of whiteness.

In the meantime, we have no choice but to continue to aggressively challenge assertions of property rights based on whiteness. Indeed, resistance must remain a top priority. It is too dangerous for us to simply stand by, for in doing so, we miss the essential ingredient in the whiteness property phenomenon: it is our recognition and acceptance of white skin colour as property that gives that whiteness its legitimacy.

If we challenge the property rights in whiteness — the very essence of racism — as our forebears challenged first slavery and then segregation, we, like they, can overcome the racial restraints of our time.

Isn't it time for whites to face what it means to be white?

Isn't it time for whites to face what it means to those who are non-white?

Isn't it time for whites to do something about "white skin privilege"?

Isn't it time for whites to create a new identity that is not based on privilege and position?

No! It is not "get over race". It is "get rid of whiteness".

For Getting Rid of Whiteness in Bermuda,

MURIEL M. WADE-SMITH, Ph.D.

Smith's Parish

Whites are still in denial

May 16, 2007

Dear Sir,

It is unfortunate that Friday's>Royal Gazette has as its main title "Webb to PLP: 'Get over' race." Not because Renee Webb doesn't have the right to encourage her party to become more reflective of the population, but because it reinforces for many whites the notion that the issues of 'race' and 'racism' are a thing of the past.

It provides for many whites confirmation that their doubts as to the non-existence of white privilege and institutionalised racism are valid. I am quick to say that I am sure this effect was not what Ms. Webb intended but the reality is that many white people will have taken it this way.

Why is it that so many white people persist in holding to their perceptions that racism does not exist, even when many black people in our community have stood up and given examples and shared their experience? Why can't we put aside white perceptions, and really listen to what our fellow black Bermudians are trying to tell us? Why is there this collective 'head in the sand' attitude when it comes to discussing race problems? There is concrete statistical evidence to back up what our fellow black Bermudians have been trying to say for years, but despite this many white people still cling to their inherited stereotypes and perceptions, and continue to refuse to believe what their fellow black Bermudians tell them about racial experiences in their own lives. As white Bermudians we must question what is it we fear, why we are reluctant to listen and hear what our fellow black Bermudians have to say about their experience with racism?

Whites can no longer look through 'rose-tinted glasses' and say things like "I have black friends so I can't be racist", or "I've never witnessed any 'overt' racism", or "I've never owned any slaves, so why blame me", or "this is all in the past its different nowadays", or "the kids all mix together, they'll solve the problem", because this does not bear any resemblance to the real world, yes it makes us feel better, justifies the way we think, and provides us with a security blanket but it cannot explain the black experience, and only defines the narrow white perception.

This ability to deny non-white reality is what whites must overcome. How can we say that racism does not exist in our country when over one-third of the population are baby boomers and either experienced the degradation, injustice and humiliation of segregation or as whites participated in it, witnessed it and remained silent? How can we say the elephant is not in the room? We must be willing to participate in the dialogue on race, learn to listen, and believe what our fellow black Bermudians are telling us about their experiences. Our very denial of the black Bermudian reality is in and of itself a form of racism. I believe that by pursuing this dialogue there will be a freeing-up of the fear, a sharing of experiences, a realisation of each other's humanity, and a journey to reconciliation.

LYNNE WINFIELD

Sandys

Fix pre-school grounds

May 18, 2007

Dear Sir,

We've heard enough talk about the failing grade given to the public education system recently and there was mention made that the pre-schools are fine. Another failing grade should be given to the grounds of the Devonshire Pre-school, which are in desperate need of revitalisation. Although the Department of Parks recently had some of their employees use a load of compost from the dump as ground cover which included chunks of broken bottles, ripped up plastic bags etc. etc., this is not what I would even consider appropriate ground cover for pre-schoolers.

It may be true that grass grows well under these conditions, however, why was decent topsoil not used and the glass and other items mentioned not sifted out? It's bad enough that the children have to play outside during the winter months in rain boots in the muck which consists of mud and wood chips; while during the spring when it is dry and windy the dusty conditions contribute to sand being blown into the faces of the children. They cannot complain to anyone but their teachers, so I as a parent of a Devonshire Pre-school child am hoping that someone who can make a difference will consider the children and fix this problem.

It's not fair that just a few feet away are the immaculate grounds of the Premier's official residence i.e. 'Clifton' which was not good enough for Premier Brown to move into, however, would serve the children of Devonshire Pre-school well. That lush green lawn is not even used, apart from when it is mowed.

I know that the school term will be ending next month but there will be a summer school programme held there during the summer and September will see a new group of children.

Although it may have been said that the pre-school curriculum is fine, it's quite obvious that the historic building which is home to the Devonshire Pre-school is in desperate need of an overhaul. The playground area is a definite eyesore, so some of the available funds should be invested in upgrading this school just as was done with the Berkeley Institute and "Clifton".

I did call and report the compost problem to the Acting Director of Parks, Mr. Drew Pettit, who said he would pass the information on to the Superintendent in charge; however, to date nothing further has been done. Let's hope that this letter would make a difference.

JENNIFER CAINES

Devonshire

I oppose appointment

May 23, 2007

Dear Sir,

I am a parent of a child in public school.

There are three reasons why I do not agree with Phil Butterfield being the person to spearhead the overhaul of the education system:

1. The person in charge of this most important national mission needs to be dedicated FULL TIME. Phil Butterfield is the CEO of a bank; I do not care how well he delegates.

2. Phil Butterfield is the brother to the Premier. Therefore his decisions on the new direction of our education system will have little challenge regardless of whether they are or are not in the interests of our children.

3. To my knowledge, Mr. Butterfield does not have a degree in Education, has not been active in the classroom in the last decade, and does not possess full knowledge of modern teaching methods from different international modules.

The biggest threat to our public education system is the lack of fathers in the lives of our children, the poor self esteem of women who have multiple pregnancies without a partner who commits, the selling of our land to foreigners making the housing market so outrageous and a Government (both parties) that is afraid to remove the children "at risk" with "behavioural problems" from the mainstream.

Get rid of the middle school concept, create another high school, introduce a school for "at risk" children, re-introduce a technical education school and listen to the teachers union's recommendations! These ideas from a parent are mere suggestions for the foundation of overhauling our education system.

PLP, you just don't listen to the grassroots voters anymore.

CHERYL POOLEY

Smith's Parish

I back church parking lot

April 22, 2007

Dear Sir,

Please allow me this opportunity via this avenue to express my view/concern over this controversial topic of a parking lot. I am a proud member of the First Church Of God and through the years have watched the church grow not only numerically but more so spiritually.

In some respect the persistent attack only confirms that growth/change comes with a price. Bishop Lambe is a man who has the heart of God on his mind, and a desire to make known to the community the plans that God has towards them, plans not of evil but of good to bring us to an expected end.

First let it be known that the decision for the parking lot has the full agreement/backing of the membership, this is not a single vision, purposed for a single person, so attack the church, not the leader. More parking will create more opportunity for those who are seeking their purpose for their life.

It is evidenced every day when we listen to the news via radio/paper that there is a need for what the house of God has to offer in finding our purpose for why we are here and how when can achieve that goal. Please come and join us in worship and help us be a part of changing our nation.

SHIRLEY WILSON

Warwick

Support PLP initiatives

May 8, 2007

Dear Sir,Your Saturday paper quotes Shadow Education Minister, Grant Gibbons as saying the report on Bermuda's public schools shows "a complete indictment of the PLP's management of the education system". He then goes on to say "it's really their leadership that has failed."

All of the above, and the rest of Grant Gibbons' comments are certainly correct BUT the UBP was in "power" for three hundred and ninety years (390 years) and the PLP has been in "power" for eight years. What did the UBP do on this watch but push these very complex but immeasurably difficult issues under the carpet with occasional forays to deal with the problems.

The majority of the UBP education ministers were hardly trained to do the job and never dealt with the monster called the Education Department. Under the reign of the Forty Thieves and pre-party political Bermuda too little was done (by today's standards) for educating the black community — it was not seen as relevant to a white-dominated Bermuda.

These PLP initiatives, which are eight years too late, have started and there needs to be bilateral, bipartisan support.

To be blunt, the failure of the young black male is the responsibility of all the community — black and white and mixed race. The level of illiteracy and inability to share in the wealth of Bermuda creates a sub culture that is disengaged and disenfranchised and puts our well-being at risk.

A solution, through education, is being considered. I think for the reasons of opportunities lost by the UBP, that, they, the UBP should offer unconditional support.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN

Warwick