Mine's A Corona
Alvin Williams clearly enjoys talking about race and the legacy of slavery, so there's something slightly sad about the way he opens his column in today's Mid Ocean News:
"It's not often that I get to debate a white person one-on-one on the question of race and the different perceptions of this issue held by black and white people..."
Mr. Williams, you need to get out more. You live in a country where 40% of the population is white. Do you have no white friends with whom you can discuss this?
A few weeks ago I invited Mr. Williams to email me so we could go and have a drink together and discuss exactly this, one-on-one, face-to-face. I received no reply. Nonetheless, my offer stands. How about it, Mr. Williams?
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Just say sorry for all of us Phil ....We need him to feel the love. ^..^
Posted by big bad wolf on 15.04.05 at 21:58
Yes, he does need to get out more. There are 2 many Bermudians of all backgrounds, black and white who do not mix with anyone except their own kind. Go to Captains and you'll see mostly blacks. Go to Robin Hood and you'll see pockets of English, black locals, white locals and Portuguese. Go to Pickled Onion and you'll see mostly white.
Alvin is not unique unfortunately. He should've gone with you for a drink.
Posted by Onion on 16.04.05 at 10:50
In a small community it is possbile to bore every man, woman, and (well Ashay is working on the children). Not may people want to talk to him as his dogma has not changed in 30 years.
Posted by Tiger Bay on 16.04.05 at 10:50
I have lots of friends bote black and white in Bermuda though i dont get to see them often as they all go to collage in Canada and America.
As tiger says his dogma is probally the reason no one want to talk to him.
Posted by Shark on 16.04.05 at 11:18
I would narrow down his opportunity to escape.
Write a letter to him.
Posted by Martin on 16.04.05 at 12:39
If you are keen to spend some time in the company of that feeble minded half-wit then I suggest you need a hobby or some friends.
Posted by ruby tuesday on 16.04.05 at 13:15
"Go to Captains and you'll see mostly blacks."
I used to go there, but not anymore. My perception is that a different element goes there now. Plus I don't get drunk like I did!
Posted by shipstones on 16.04.05 at 14:35
The claim by Alvin Williams that he does not get a chance to debate matters of race with whites, is questionable.
Often those he debates via his weekly column are anonymous so unless he has the gift of clairvoyance he does not know the colour of the writer.
I have often debated with him and find his aspirations as an historian in research is usually with a view to substantiate his deeply ingrained beliefs rather than search for the truth.
While I often enjoy the debate there are times when I feel that continious dialogue with the man to be as productive as giving medicine to a corpse.
Posted by Bill Cook on 16.04.05 at 17:43
Hope the corpse gets better soon Bill! ^..^
Posted by big bad wolf on 16.04.05 at 21:26
Why is Mr. William's shying away from having a debate with you Phil?
If he really wanted to dicuss the topic, he has had more than several opportunities to do so.
Get to it already Alvin-were waiting.
Posted by No One Special on 18.04.05 at 11:28
I guess Mr. Williams never took you up on your offer of drink, Phil. While waiting in the check-out line at the Union gas station last night I started flicking through the latest issue of the Workers' Voice. Alvin William's latest column was another blast against bloggers -- and you seemed to come in for the brunt of his fury. To be fair I only scanned the article; I didn't have time to read it in detail. But you might want to.
Posted by Count Zero on 05.05.05 at 10:11
I glanced through the new WV as well. Mr. Williams was in characteristically grumpy form. I think he was trying to link Limey In Bermuda to his imaginary vast, right-wing (or is that white-wing?) conspiracy to discredit the PLP Government. But frankly the stream-of-consciousness columns he writes for the WV are very much harder to follow than the ones that appear in the Mid Ocean. I gave up half-way through.
Posted by Desperado on 05.05.05 at 10:34
Count Zero - Thanks for the tip-off - I would have missed it otherwise.
I'll have something to say about Mr. Williams' column at a later date...
Posted by The Limey on 05.05.05 at 13:50