Reading Between The Lines

While I’m flattered to find myself the subject of Alvin Williams’ column in the Mid Ocean News for a second week, it’s also awfully depressing.

I try to think carefully about the words I use. It’s important to me that what I write accurately reflects what I think. So to have Mr. Williams reinterpret my words to fit his perception of the kind of person I am is incredibly frustrating. For example,

• “Mr. Wells now claims that he really objected to the language contained in the programme rather than the programme itself.” That was always my position. If he believes it was not, I invite Mr. Williams to explain why.
• “Mr. Wells claims the case for reparations is presented without any counter arguments.” I don’t just claim it – it’s a fact. Has Mr. Williams read the workbook himself, I wonder?
• “Mr. Wells claims there is no case to answer because the victims of slavery are dead.” I did not. What I did was suggest that Ashay might have mentioned this as one of the arguments against reparations. I deliberately avoided getting into a discussion about reparations because what Mr. Williams or I think about them isn’t the issue here. It’s whether we should be presenting our children with only one side of the debate.

On the issue of whether “we” and “our” are appropriate words to describe blacks in a workbook that will be read by non-black students, I’m not quite sure what Mr. Williams’ position is. He suggests that when he was growing up in Bermuda he also had school textbooks that contained those words, only used to describe white people. “I don't have to be asked the question of how I would feel. I know how that felt,” he said. Clearly he wasn’t very happy that that was the case. Presumably, then, he can understand why some whites might not be happy about the presence of similar language in Ashay? So why does he not seem to care? I hope I’m misunderstanding his position, but he appears to believe that two wrongs make a right.

Mr. Williams states that one thing he has learned through the years is that you must develop the skill of reading between the lines of what is put before you. Alas, I think he spent so much time trying to read between the lines of what I wrote that he didn’t read the lines themselves. I invite him to drop me an email (my address is at the bottom of the right hand column) so we can arrange to meet up for a drink some time. I imagine it will be much easier for us to understand each other face-to-face over a beer.

Comments

[Onion on 20.03.05 at 15:41]

Limey, welcome to journalism a la Bermuda. Keep battling.

[loki on 20.03.05 at 15:59]

Indeed, it did make for depressing reading. After his first article, I really had to wonder whether we had read the same opinion piece. After his second article, I'm seriously beginning to wonder whether Mr. Williams took leave of his senses. It's much the same as the treatment meted out by Laverne Furbert towards Christian Dunvleavy recently. You might not agree with what somebody says, but at least have the decency to not make shit up to fit your agenda. Most of us are guilty from time to time of interpreting someone's words based upon our own misconceptions of who they are and what agenda we erroneously think they are trying to further (I am willing to put my hand up on this one - mea culpa, Onion. I was wrong, you were right [fancy that: someone on this board admitting they were wrong]), but do you really have to just make stuff up?

[big bad wolf on 20.03.05 at 16:00]

Hmmm I hope he takes you up on your offer and has a drink with you. Alvin has always struck me as a person interested in ideas and learning.I know he has studied African history in depth and in ways that are not matched by most other Bermudians.Hopefully he will learn that your positions are a reflection on a question of balance and not race.

[Shark on 20.03.05 at 18:01]

Some of the words he uses makes me wonder what century hes living in.

"AND I am still reminded of this country's determination to ignore the existence of black people whenever I look at Bermuda's flag, which depicts only the beginning of white settlement in this country and Britain's continued colonial rule over he island."

Bemuda ignors the existence of black people when about 60% of the island is made up of black bermudians? and the goverment is firmly made up of black bermudians?
How can he say that black bermudians are being ignored?

And to Britian's colonial rule over bermuda it is more of an idea then an actual fact. They only control externial defense and foreign affairs and nothign else that could possibly impact the lives of people living in Bermuda.

[Tiger Bay on 20.03.05 at 20:36]

Bermuda is being ruled by a group of 1970's radicals. Sad really.

[big bad wolf on 20.03.05 at 21:29]

70's Radicals....hmmm maybe arm chair Socialists...Now that they have their cars and blackberries...They are all busy texting each other which resturant to meet at in Hamilton for a two hour lunch to plan a meeting about having another meeting! Tiger they are all kitty cats compared to you....I see you crouching in the long grass stalking stupidity as usual. ^..^

[Shark on 21.03.05 at 05:28]

That could be why I see Bermuda as beginning governed by a bunch of anti-europium black nationalists. And black nationalism is no better then white nationalism they are both wrong and have no place in the 21st century or a multi-cultural country.

[Tiger Bay on 21.03.05 at 08:16]

Good point, Shark, how true.

[Onion on 21.03.05 at 09:36]

You guys all live in dream world. Bermuda is not being ruled by any of the above. Bermuda is ruled by ACE, XL, AIG, HSBC etc etc.

Furthermore, how did we jump from critiquing Alvin Williams column to labelling the governemnt as 1970s radicals? What does Alvin Williams comments have to do with the government? Was Alvin suddenly made a PLP MP or senator? Or do you just lump everyone together because they are black??? Alvin speaks for himself as a coloumnist who happens to be black. He is not the spokesmen for all black people anymore than Eldon Trimingham is the spokesman for all white people.

For the record, I agree with Alvin's comments generally about the way blacks have been portrayed in our history books. However, I do not believe the ASHAY program is the tonic. I disagree with the program because it does not teach history, so much as it teaches an ideology - an ideology that is not even authentically African but is an African American version of what they believe is African. Africa is made up of 1000s of different ethnic groups and 1000s of different languages and cultures. It is impossible to condense everything into one program.

[Onion on 21.03.05 at 09:48]

As far as blacks being in the majority in this country, that has never been enough to get more black history taught in schools. 90% of what we were taught in schools was Eurocentric history.

One of the greatest disappointments of this PLP governmnt has been it's failure thus far to inject a more balanced curriculumn in the schools so that people can learn more about black Bermuda history. As I said before, this should just be called BERMUDA history!

[Shark on 21.03.05 at 09:50]

if you will take my point that is how the PLP may appear to non PLP supporters and why they are met with much critisum. And it probally is off topic and mayby should be in a different post....how about a post that is "what you think of the PLP" and "what you think of the UBP" ?
Im sure those would be very interesting to see what people just generally think of the PLP and UBP.

[Onion on 21.03.05 at 10:16]

I am sure there are PLP members who are against anything European as I am sure there are UBP members who are against anything African. But such a discussion is meaningless. People's perceptions are often skewed.

The UBP has always been made up of whites AND blacks. The blacks willfully joined with the honest belief that they were contributing to true integration. In the same way blacks have always been the ones to "cross over" and join what were white social clubs, schools etc etc.

The PLP has always been predominantly black. Whites have made a conscious decision NOT to join. In the same way they have chosen NOT to send their kids to The Berkely Institute (even when it was one of the best in the island). Let's be honest, the stigma of being associated with a black organisation was not a palatable prospect for most whites. Let's again be honest. The UBP could turn into the most hopeless organisation on the island. Most whites will not turn to the PLP. And don't say that "well whites were never made to feel welcome at these places." I went to Saltus in the 80s and I have black friends who went there and BHS and no welcome red carpet was laid out for us. Blacks have ALWAYS made the effort to cross over. That is the ONLY way the UBP were in power for so long.

So now in 2005 you cannot look at the PLP and blame it for being perceived as an all black organisation. Change only comes form within. Go down to the PLP HQ and sign up. Attend a meeting at Alaska Hall. Make a difference.

[Bay Grape on 21.03.05 at 10:24]

Aren’t there more responsible columnists for The Royal Gazette than Alvin Williams? Without evidence, he does, in fact, accuse Limey of racism: “…we only want an end to racism….Mr. Wells takes exception to this….” Then, staggeringly, Williams writes a blanket and nonsensical statement: “the thought processes of the white mind.” Give me a break! This is the 21st century! I know that Williams was raised when “we” and “our” in text books was all about England and being white. I was too, hated it, and wanted to know where our own history was—good and bad. But Limey has been talking about NOW. If Williams fails to read even that basic fact, he really is stuck in the past. Right now teaching should be inclusive; it’s important that both black and white children get accurate, fair information.

Some of what Williams writes just does not make any sense: “this country’s determination to ignore the existence of black people….” That flies in the face of all reality. Is there racism out there? Yes. Is the existence of black people being ignored? What a “fullish” thing to say.

He has willfully distorted what Limey actually wrote. Limey did originally write about the problems of the Ashay program being with the language. Williams did not present any counter arguments to reparations, aside from saying that they could “empty the treasuries of many countries,” but I didn’t read that as an objection that he had, despite what it could do to the future of young black Bermudians. Williams still refuses to discuss what he has in mind when he raises the issue of reparations.

I agree that Williams definitely reads “between the lines,” because there is no indication that he has taken the time or care to read what Limey actually did write. His obviously distorted responses would not pass first-draft essay status at most colleges. There is a real place and need for Williams to write about his experience growing up in a segregated, racist society. That is the base of what we are trying to have a discussion about. There is a real place and need for his opinions—and he does have valuable things to say. But beyond that, he needs to come into the here-and-now and stop putting words into other people’s mouths that they never said. Let's have the truth.

[demeter on 21.03.05 at 11:05]

Alvin Williams (again) - I think you did a good job of replying but, the advice I was given when I was personally attacked was to ignore it because you are providing him with material (and he has so very little - normally it's a rehash of the same old theme)and because this just starts a tennis match and your contributions are needed on a vast array of topics... his are not! The hardest thing I did was ignore a baseless and attackable attack but I am now pleased I did.

It's hard being the grown-up!!

[demeter on 21.03.05 at 15:38]

Onion

"You guys all live in dream world. Bermuda is not being ruled by any of the above. Bermuda is ruled by ACE, XL, AIG, HSBC etc etc."

I agree to a large extent and have made a similar comment before. As for Alvin, while he may not be an elected member of the PLP he is a member of the party and a columnist (and they only have pro-PLP and pro-Union writers) for the Workers Voice which is a well known PLP propaganda rag...

"For the record, I agree with Alvin's comments generally about the way blacks have been portrayed in our history books. However, I do not believe the ASHAY program is the tonic. I disagree with the program because it does not teach history, so much as it teaches an ideology"

well put and I agree totally with those sentiments.

but "In the same way blacks have always been the ones to "cross over" and join what were white social clubs, schools etc etc."

I would avoid using the word "always" because most of the time you (and anyone using it) will be wrong. And you are here. Maybe more blacks than whites have "crossed over" to date but that is changing and I am one white that was forced to grow up in Coral Beach & Mid-Ocean land and crossed over to Ord Road when I was in between tennis matches! I also gave up my Mid-Ocean membership as I hate golf and I only liked the people who worked there. I also hang with a crowd in which I am the minority race and I have had more black than white boyfriends. From this I have seen quite an increase in mixed race babies and my hope is that the mixing of the races will contribute to greater harmony as the pure whites and blacks alone won't further the cause... they just keep going around in circles...

Plus mixing the races makes for brilliant (and damn good looking) children.. strengthens the gene pool...anyone out there want to donate their sperm (non white) LOL... my mother wants a grandchild!

Bay Grape

"Aren’t there more responsible columnists for The Royal Gazette than Alvin Williams?"

that is your opinion like Alvin has his (we just don't happen to agree with this opinion of his!) and I have to support Mid-Ocean publishing all views.. there are many who call other articles propoganda for the UBP and in some instances they are right. I know a few white men who read Alvin to gain some understanding of where their black counterparts are coming from - there are plenty of openminded people who read him and disagree or come to agree with parts/all of his topic. I have also enjoyed/agreed with some of his writings but I now find it unoriginal and repetitive. And he will never, ever miss an opportunity to repeat himself... which is what Limey gave him. He did the same when 2 letter writers objected to his Christmas present article.

[Bay Grape on 21.03.05 at 16:38]

Demeter, Thanks for your comments. I have no objections to Alvin Williams’ expressing his opinions, and educating us, or reminding us of our history. I certainly think he should be heard. However, I do find willful (dishonest) or sloppy (irresponsible) distortions objectionable. Actually, I think they are a shame, as they damage his credibility. Some of his stuff seems just propaganda—unwarranted accusations of racism, stereotypical (racist) “thought processes of the white mind” statements, etc. It just seems like a wasted opportunity for genuine dialog in Bermuda to me. I would have the same objections if something similar were coming from the UBP.

[demeter on 21.03.05 at 16:48]

Bay Grape

Actually, I (and I think you would too) prefer Alvin to other PLP-oriented (party members that write) writers like Laverne Furbert (though to call her a writer is an insult to other writers) and Rolfe Commissiong....

[The Limey on 21.03.05 at 17:37]

Onion

While I understand what you're saying, I don't believe blacks made the effort to cross over because of an altruistic desire to make those organisations more racially balanced. I think most did so out of enlightened self-interest.

Alas, there is no similar compulsion for whites to join the PLP. The UBP serves most of them very nicely, thanks very much. Also, the PLP is a labour party. Many whites are middle or upper class and therefore tend to prefer the UBP's right-leaning philosophy. Similarly, why send your kids to Berkeley when Warwick Academy is just as good?

In the absence of some overriding self-interest, the only way whites are going to join black organisations is if they're actively recruited and made to feel welcome. That's a shame, but it's also human nature.

[The Limey on 21.03.05 at 17:39]

Demeter - I know, I tried not to respond. I just feel that if I leave misrepresentations of my position unchallenged then there's a danger that others will come to believe they're true (particularly if they never saw my original column or letter).

[demeter on 21.03.05 at 18:02]

Limey

On second thought, as you write for the same company, it was probably right to respond once...my situation was quite different, I had no business validating or even acknowledging the existence of the Workers Voice and the article attacking me, only attacked me, not what I said so I probably compared apples & oranges.

[Simon on 21.03.05 at 18:51]

"While I understand what you're saying, I don't believe blacks made the effort to cross over because of an altruistic desire to make those organisations more racially balanced. I think most did so out of enlightened self-interest."

Phillip, you raise a very interesting point. I've always questioned if blacks joined the UBP and other white-dominated institutions because they simply thought it was the better party or because it was, as you call it, enlightened self-interest. I know that a lot of blacks resent being called sell-outs and Uncle Tom's, but is it that far-fetched to believe that at least some of them joined the UBP for economic gain? I'm sure there are whites who joined the UBP to gain a business advantage, so why not blacks too?

I also wonder if low self esteem would lead blacks to think that white institutions are inherently better and thus something to aspire to. We all get caught up in the trappings of high society, so it wouldn't surprise me if this was some kind of psychological driver. It would certainly explain why whites didn't join non-political black organisations. For example, Warwick Academy could not have housed all whites, so there would be spillover into private schools if they thought that even Berkeley was beneath them.

[shipstones on 22.03.05 at 12:05]

"I know that a lot of blacks resent being called sell-outs and Uncle Tom's, but is it that far-fetched to believe that at least some of them joined the UBP for economic gain? I'm sure there are whites who joined the UBP to gain a business advantage, so why not blacks too?"

If this is true, at least they are not basing the allegiance to the colour of their skin.
Give me one good reason why a white person should join the PLP, when there agenda is self evident.

White people screwed black people for 400 years! Getr used to it your going to get screwed back for a while! Until we all get over the colour of our skins and realize that it doesn't make any sense to discriminate either way!

[George on 22.03.05 at 12:52]

What I find interesting about the PLP government is that they continue to say they are for black empowerment and yet they do this to a black business.

http://www.theroyalgazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050322/BUSINESS/103220113

They took a lucrative government license away from a black business and gave it to a white one. It must of been one hell of a deal to get the government to turn their backs on one of their own.

[Cedar Hill on 22.03.05 at 13:55]

The deregulation that Ms Webb touts actually consisted of her giving a series of licenses to groups affiliated with the same person, a PLP insider.

Sound familiar?

Hardell was no longer part of the in PLP crowd.

[demeter on 22.03.05 at 14:15]

I agree with Cedar Hill. It's political loyalty that gains favours - doesn't anyone remember who the main advisor and deep pockets (all Jennifer's clothes for a start and probably champagne to boot!) was for the PLP in the 1998 election - John Deuss - and he and his Commerical Bank have certainly not suffered for it... if I had been a UBPer then (and living here) I would have campaigned with a picture of his ugly mug stating that that's who Bermuda was really voting for...

[George on 22.03.05 at 14:17]

Cedar Hill,

So it was one hell of a deal.

It also sounds like the name of the person is common knowledge.

I presume that the tax payers are going to have to fork over the cash to pay compensation to Hardell for what the PLP government has done to him.

[Intrigued on 22.03.05 at 14:34]

Alvin and Laverne, while using slimey tactics, are winning in forwarding their agenda. The reality is that they can get away with saying what they want because the papers do not hold the submission to a very high standard. Such is life. Phil, you can only lose by continuing to write back as Demeter has pointed out.

[Simon on 22.03.05 at 15:42]

Shipstones,

I think that is what Phillip was getting at. Blacks joined white groups out of enlightened self interest, and not for some higher purpose. You haven't seen whites move to a black labour party and other groups, because the PLP really doesn't address the self-interest of whites or anyone interested in making money. Since getting in Government, the PLP doesn't even try to make whites feel welcome, when you really think about it, because they accuse all whites of things committed by individuals. They aren't the least bit careful with the things they say.

I don't really have a problem with the economic argument, because people join political parties for selfish reasons all the time. If we accept that whites joined the UBP for financial reasons, then I wouldn't be surprised if blacks did it too. The challenge for blacks is that they will be accused of "selling-out" for self gain instead of trying to assist the broader community. Instead of trying to improve the PLP, they would (fairly or unfairly) be seen as traitors.

Whites who joined the UBP for the very same reason would not receive any such criticism. They would just be considered politicians, doing what politicians do (look out for numero uno). And even then, that idea is based on the assumption that the UBP really wasn't interested in equality. It is quite possible that blacks and whites joined the UBP for economic gain, good governance AND racial equality. But I suppose that the results of that UBP partnership are for a different thread.

Cynically this would mean that the only way for the PLP Government to gain white votes is to start governing better than the UBP or to provide economic benefits to those who get involved. One would have thought that as a labour party the PLP would have at least appealed to white labour, but this won't happen if they always act anti-white. The outstanding question then is would whites join the PLP if they were welcomed and were at least as good in managing the Government.

I certainly don't have the answer to that question. But it really makes me wonder about the psychological reasons that blacks join white institutions, while whites don't join black institutions that are welcoming. All I can say is that I personally wouldn't be interested in joining a group or club that I thought was beneath me. That too is just human nature.

[shipstones on 22.03.05 at 15:52]

Then we all agree Simon

"But it really makes me wonder about the psychological reasons that blacks join white institutions, while whites don't join black institutions that are welcoming."

I am not sure which black institutions you refer.
The only one I know that welcomes whites are the unions. They have white members. I don't know what level of participation is.

[Simon on 22.03.05 at 16:07]

Schools, churches and sportsclubs come to mind. I don't think that any of those groups have taken an anti-white position like the current PLP has. I'm therefore at a loss when it comes to explaining the lack of white participation in nnon-political black groups. The only explanation I have is that blacks might see joining a white institution as "upgrading" and whites might see joining a black group as "downgrading". Whether that is still the case today, I don't know. All I'm suggesting is that there is perception, and then there is reality. For example, just by being a more welcoming party, the UBP would be perceived as being a better offering (even if they really provided poor government).

[shipstones on 22.03.05 at 16:40]

Schools, churches and sportsclubs come to mind.

Schools I agree with, but in most this is due to the segregated area in which they are located. My kids went to Harrington Sound which was well integrated. They then went to Warwick and Saltus as I saw them as better for their education. Nothing to do with colour!

Churches are more personal, and asking people to change their faith based on colour is a little too much to ask. If you are C of E changing to AME may mean some philosophical issues I don't know I'm not religious. I haven't met any black Jews for instance and there are very few white Rastas.

Sports clubs are integrated at certain levels, but not in cricket and Football. I am sure this is a two way street where there is still peer pressure to intimidate white kids to a certain extent and black kids in white organizations too.
But I think the ones that are well integrated are not seen as "Black" Institutions.

If you see pictures of Splash you will see there are a lot of black and white people. But Spinning Wheel and Swinging Doors???? These used to be places to go for whites but no more!

[JJ on 22.03.05 at 17:03]

I've always wondered why there are never any white players at Cup Match. I can't believe we have never had any white cricketers good enough!

[Onion on 23.03.05 at 12:02]

Limey,

You state:" I don't believe blacks made the effort to cross over because of an altruistic desire to make those organisations more racially balanced. I think most did so out of enlightened self-interest."

I have a problem with the use of the word "most". Of course there were many blacks who sought economic and social advancement. However, having grown up in Bermuda through the 70s I can tell you from personal experience that most blacks did believe they were entering into a new era of integration.

The context in which I made my comments was that I was responding to the criticism that the PLP was an all black party. My point wads that whites were never told not to join. There are many whites in Bermuda who would lean towards a "labour" mentality. I was not aware "Labour" was just a black thing. My point is that the dividing factor has predominantly been "race" as opposed to just ideology.