Senior Magistrate Archie Warner has rightly sent out an unequivocal message to all residents of Bermuda that this community will not tolerate racial abuse, and especially the use of the word "nigger".

By sentencing chef Aaron Bald to 30 days in prison on Wednesday, Mr. Warner has let all residents, Bermudians and otherwise, know that: "We must deter such behaviour."

Bald, a guest worker, both called a security guard a nigger, threatened to kill him and chased him. He was later abusive to a female Police officer as well.

Bald appeared to be remorseful and blamed his behaviour on the fact he was drunk. While Mr. Warner took both factors, into account, he rightly imposed a prison sentence on the man, telling his lawyer: "He (Bald) called a man a nigger and said he'll try to kill him and that's not offensive to you?"

Mr. Warner added: "Mr. Bald, I've thought carefully about the offences and your behaviour is outrageous. That in 2007, you can visit someone's country and get drunk and call someone a nigger and threaten to kill them."

Mr. Warner was right. There is no place in 2007 for this kind of language and behaviour, let alone in a multi-racial community like Bermuda where racial sensitivities remain raw.

This is an important decision that should send a message to racists that they have no place in Bermuda at the same time that it should give reassurance to black Bermudians that they should have no fear that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated by either the Police or by the courts.

It is a pity, then, that an authority like the Human Rights Commission failed to take Sen. David Burch to task when he used the expression "house nigger" while cutting a caller off from the radio show he used to anchor.

Instead the Human Rights Commission tied itself in knots trying to explain how the term, although insulting , was not racist. At least the Broadcasting Commission saw the way clear to calling the term "reprehensible".

It is worth noting that Bald at least could claim he was drunk and apologised in court for his behaviour. That does not make it acceptable, but at least he acknowledged his wrongdoing. Sen. Burch was sober, and has never apologised.

What is needed here is a level playing field.