An End To Racial Politics

Royal Gazette Opinion, Thursday 7 July 2005

Imagine if every MP in the UBP was white.

Suppose for a moment that, when questioned about the lack of black faces in his party, Grant Gibbons shrugged his shoulders and said that blacks aren’t discouraged from joining, they just never choose to do so.

Now imagine that in the run-up to the last election, deputy leader Michael Dunkley held a party rally. At that rally he called on those present to ensure they voted for his party “lest we allow the blacks to escape from the plantation”. Suppose that two years later, Mr. Dunkley still refused to apologise for his comments.

If that was what today’s UBP was like, most would regard it with contempt and disgust. Mr. Dunkley would be ostracised for his comments, and rightly so.

So why can the PLP get away with it?

The PLP has 22 MPs and not a single one of them is white. At the last election, their advertising claimed that the only thing new about the UBP was its suntan. Deputy leader Dr. Ewart Brown said returning the UBP to power would be voting to return to the plantation.

“They said some of the things we did in the campaign were negative and not what Bermudians wanted to see, but during the heat of the campaign, things happen. Tensions rise, emotions flare. It gets like that,” said Dr. Brown, defending his comments back in November 2003. But if his plantation comment was just something he said in the heat of the moment, why was he still refusing to apologise for it this week?

I'm unused to hearing racial slurs being thrown around by my politicians, although I'm acclimatising fast. Where I come from, anyone making such a comment, black or white, would find their political career coming to a rapid end. Why is it acceptable here?

There are some people who say that it’s the two-party system that's to blame. That it isn’t suited to Bermuda, that it's too confrontational. That’s nonsense. The problem is the parties, not the system. The PLP’s identity comes from being a black party and the UBP, despite its best efforts, still can’t quite shake off its image as the white party. The result is that it’s almost impossible to debate anything without race coming up.

The problem is exacerbated by too few people who are prepared to switch their vote between the parties. For the two party system to function properly, the electorate must be willing to vote according to their assessment of the competence of their candidates and the policies they are putting forward. Yet too many UBP supporters would never dream of voting PLP, and too many PLP supporters would never vote UBP.

The prospect of spending the rest of my life listening to PLP and UBP politicians and loyalists bicker about race fills me with despair. But I can see no end in sight.

Many Bermudians pride themselves on being Christians. Last time I checked, one of the tenets of Christianity was forgiveness. But I don't see much forgiveness among the members of the PLP. All I see is a desire to perpetuate racial division for electoral gain.

The UBP suggest a memorial to slavery and Derrick Burgess calls it an “insult”. They put forward economic empowerment legislation and Renee Webb slams it for not mentioning the word “black”. In the House last Friday Dr. Brown said that if the UBP truly valued racial equality they would sit down and face the past, accept it, and not try to fix it “with band aids and perfume”. So what, specifically, does he want them to do?

It’s time for blacks to tell whites exactly what it’s going to take for them to be able to forgive, to allow the country to move on from (but not forget) its painful past.

Both parties must prove that this is an issue they want to solve. The PLP need to prove that they are not trying to perpetuate the Island’s divisions for political gain. The UBP need to prove that their initiatives are not simply a cynical ploy to curry favour with the black swing vote in order to win power.

The PLP and the UBP must unite to form a bi-partisan group to tackle the legacy of segregation in Bermuda. They must forswear the use of race as a political weapon. They must work together to build trust between black and white communities; to identify and eliminate institutional racism wherever it may exist; and to develop economic empowerment initiatives.

“Upon my selection as Premier, I committed to extending the hand of partnership to the Opposition. Efforts to deliver on that commitment have not always met with success. But I meant it then and I mean it now,” said the Premier in his televised address in May.

I challenge the Premier to prove it. I challenge him to extend the hand of partnership to the UBP on the issue of race. And I challenge the UBP to accept it.

Comments

[Terry on 08.07.05 at 17:45]

Full Fullish, you can. I try not to comment on everything, we can't. Sorry we can but we can get carried away. A bit of a rant? No, just expressing your opinion. My Great, Great, Great, Great,Great, Great Uncle was a mobster, slave trader, bad husband, whats that make me. I am Terry and judge me as who I am, not what has been done in the past. Gonna go sit on the porch and have a beer and just reflect..............

[loki on 08.07.05 at 18:58]

"I don't think Christian Dunleavy ever even wrote a letter to the editor prior to 1998. His excuse was that he was away in school. Well some of us have been politically and socially conscious for years."

What do you want? A medal? Christian has been more than candid about the fact that he wasn't particularly politcally conscious prior to 1998. Neither was I. Does that make what he has to say any less valid? Judge the message, not the messenger.

[Raptor on 08.07.05 at 19:26]

I’ve been away a few days and just read through the “An End of Racial Politics” posts. A recurring theme strikes me, from those who have identified themselves as black Bermudians, which is that black Bermudians need and want to be heard and don’t feel as though they are.

Well, this is a blog, you might say. Everyone is being heard here. But I’m talking about something else—the need to be understood, and part of that comes from knowing another’s history and where he/she came from.

To my knowledge, a high quality, thorough Bermudian history has not been written, (such as might be taught in the schools and that might also be available to adults for self-education). There are all these family stories out there, sometimes just bits and pieces. But with relatively few exceptions, (self- or family-published books), not that much is widely known by whites about reality for generations of black Bermudans—all the layers of what it was like to be held as slaves and then deprived of basic rights and decency and respect—for generation after generation after generation. It's all very well to say that was in the past, but that doesn't make it go away. I know the difference between "forgiveness" and "forgeting," but you can't say it's all right for one side (blacks) not to forget, if whites don't know enough about the reality of their history to start talking forgiveness.

I think it’s easy for white Bermudians to say, “Well, okay, black Bermudians were held as slaves, but it wasn’t as bad as being on the sugar plantations in the West Indies.” Or, “Here in Bermuda they were treated pretty well—they were sailors, etc., etc.” But have they read The History of Mary Prince?

There just seems to be this huge divide where one side is saying, “You just don’t get it.” And I think that is true. Part of the problem is the unavailability of good written history that white Bermudians could use to truly educate themselves about the experience/history of black Bermudians, and part of it is lack of interest.

For a gut-wrenching, fascinating, deeply-moving picture of the realities of slavery—astounding documentation of how many millions were involved; how families were ripped apart again and again and again; the cruelty, the violence, the degradation—for hundreds of years; how the law of the land was totally compromised by the U.S. Fugitive Slave Act; and for stories of incredible bravery, I strongly recommend: Bound for Canaan: the Underground Railroad and the War for the Soul of America, by Fergus M. Bordewich, NY: HarperCollins, 2005. The people in this book are related to the people on these shores.

Think of the times in your lives when you have felt genuinely heard and what that has meant to you.

[Denis on 08.07.05 at 21:33]

Question,

"If denis took any REAL time out to look for a platform from the PLP, i'm sure he would of been able to find it."

I notice you say "sure" like you think it's obvious but havn't actually done enough reserach to be certain yourself. Of course I checked www.plp.bm. I checked it every day for a few weeks prior right up to day of the election because the news each day told me they were going to release a platform "soon". Thats part of what had me so caught by it to begin with was that I was expecting one and it never came, or if it did, I never saw it. I do however recall divoting many hours to searching for it.

You asked who I voted for. I was so disgusted with this turn of events I voted for neither and sat back and watched the election unfold. Not exactly the most democratic expression of my views but I refused to participate in a system where a leading party could be up for reelection without releasing a platform. I felt disgusted that as a first time voter with an open mind and limited political knowledge I was denied the ability to become informed on which party I was to vote for and instead was to choose based upon whether the party was "white" or "black". It's why I seeked out the their respective platforms to begin with, so I could make an informed choice that had nothing to do with color or what my white or black relatives had to say of past grivances. For me as a young voter the past does not matter so much aside from how it impacts the here and now as well as the future.

As I said, I was annoyed with the system because the UBP's platform might as well be grand promises of turning lead into gold if I have nothing to compare it to. The only knowledge I had in order to vote was that which I had gathered in reading the paper prior to the election and talking to relatives. Many of the articles that blazed across the headlines were race related as there were constant bouts on either side of the fence over race related issues.

This was my expressed contempt at Bermuda being not taken seriously by the rest of the world because while the world may at the moment turn a blind eye, it won't for long. Being a youth I am very connected with technology and entirely can forsee the scope of impact the internet brings. Look at the very prospect of any person worldwide being able to google Bermuda politics and look up the words you write to this very blog.

As the next election looms in our future, we're seeing an uproar of similar unproductive bickering. How many Bermudian issues will be surpassed or delayed from being resolved based upon bickering over race? I would hope that perhaps new ideas could be found through a collaboration of Bermudians from both sides to propose solutions that help all Bermudians and keep our island as it is and could be and not end up being what many hope it won't be.

In the end, we all want the same thing and thats what's best for Bermuda. With that in mind and considering the success of heated discussion through the online forum's of blogs such as Limey's, of which I am thankful to have a resource to contribute my own opinions to his views. In that respect I would like to propose that perhaps starting a Wiki dedicated to promoting ideas to better Bermuda is a good course of action?

[Oscar Meyer on 09.07.05 at 01:10]

Limey said

It's an opinion piece. It's not meant to be impartial. But it was a honest statement of the way I feel.

Limey,

If you don't seek to be impartial, then the only thing honest about your statement is your bias in favour of the UBP and your contempt for black PLP voters - especially the ones on this website who have obviously wasted their time trying to provide balance to the constant barrage of UBP fanmail. This piece is slanted, UBP propaganda, and one can only wonder how many opinions before it have been written with the same intellectual ink.

Thanks for wasting our time.

[JJ on 09.07.05 at 08:31]

Denis is correct. The PLP did not announce a platform/manifesto during the run up to the 2003 election. They felt they could run on their record. :-), However, I seem to recall they actually published someting along the lines of a platform the day before the election! Not sure it made any difference to who people voted for.

[The Limey on 09.07.05 at 09:21]

Oscar

Do you agree that race should not be used as a political weapon (by either party)?

Do you agree that the UBP and the PLP should work together to tackle institutional racism?

If you were leader of the PLP what would you be doing now to tackle racism in our society?

If you were leader of the UBP what would you be doing?

[J Galt on 09.07.05 at 09:30]

Raptor,

Thats a load of Bull Shit. Its the same crap all the time, oh my great grand mother was a slave, who gives a fuck, thats more than I know and care to know about my family history, or history for that matter. I live for the here and now.

Black this black that, you don't want to be treated like a "black", then stop acting like one, be an individual for christ sake, you fucking pussy.

please cut the shit

[Terry on 09.07.05 at 09:42]

J.Galt, I think you should change your Surname to GALL. Man you got some. I am quite sure with all your education you could summise and relate better without all that prophanity. You disagree with someones opinion, possible mistakes in presentation or overstatement with expressions like that? Go practice on BFS, or other Google sights or Yahoo. This site has many resonable posters, you sir, just made me think twice.

I had to express my opinion. Your use of such foul words make me want to wonder what your contribution really is. God bless and keep you.

[question on 09.07.05 at 10:30]

Denis,

It is pretty clear that you dont have the technical ability to search a website for what you are looking for. I did not have to devote hours to find what I needed to find because I managed to do so quite quickly. Maybe you need some more IT classes.

If you were able to use your tech savviness to browse a webpage, you would have been able to find the website. Like i said, just because the PLP stopped short slap u in the face with the info doesn't mean it was available to you.

And if you really wanted to vote, you would have seen the published PLP platform in the newspaper. Let's not forget that you were supposed to be voting for someone to represent your constituency. So you are telling me that the person who won your constituency done so without telling the people what they stand for, what their party stands for and what they plan to do for the next 5 years?

I too was questioning whether i would vote or not. But i came to the conclusion that it was my duty as a citizen of this country. In addition, people have died to give me the right to vote and the least I could do to show them the RESPECT that they are due was to vote for the party that would do the best job for Bermudians.

Do not try and make it seem like you spent endless hours researching archives and periodicals in order to find the PLP platform. Try reading a newspaper.

You talk about collaboration of Bermudians from both sides... what exactly are the sides and what are their different needs?

I just want you to clear up something for me... you said:

"This was my expressed contempt at Bermuda being not taken seriously by the rest of the world because while the world may at the moment turn a blind eye, it won't for long."

what are you talking about????

[Bill Akin on 09.07.05 at 10:56]

Mr.Galt,
For shame. Not what I would have expected from you.
Bill

[Onion on 09.07.05 at 12:36]

Full fullish writes:

"As for your last comment of accepting the fair share of the blame, while I accept what happened before my lifetime, or before I was old enough to do anything about it as wrong (We can all look at history and judge what was wrong or right), I refuse to take on the unspoken flogging that you and some others with to dish out from the past, which I and most of my generation had absolutely nothing to do with. Sorry bub, not going to happen with me at least. All I'm going to do is offer to treat you and everyone else exactly how I expect to be teated, equally."

You should try actually reading what I write before you respond. I said "evening out the playing field is not racist (so long as it is done properly)."

It is naive, indeed illogical, to think that just because emancipation happened in 1834, that the effects are not still being felt to this day. We have progressed greatly but as I said, there is some unfinished business. And by that I don't mean there are a few white people I want to beat up or kill.

It is naive and illogical to suggest that just because you yourself never practiced segregation or owned slaves then the slate is clean. Although nobody is holding you personally responsible, as you yourself were not the slave master, YOU and most whites have directly benefited from this society and the privilege of your white forefathers and/or peers. I was never a slave nor did I grow up in segregated Bermuda. But I have experienced the effects of that system throughout my lifetime. Our society is just now genuinely trying to dismantle a system of institutionalised racism that has lingered to this day.

Full fullish, the fact that you seek to treat everyone equally is admirable. But it is easy to say this when whites have always been at the top of the food chain and you as a group have never been disadvantaged. When I listen to most bloggers on this site I am reminded of the scene in the movie "Aviator" where Howard is sitting at the table with Katherine Hepburn's wealthy family and the mother proudly proclaims that the family are socialist - not into material things. Howard responds by saying, "It is easy for you to say that you are socialist because you have always had money and you have never been without."

I say this with the greatest respect to all white people. No matter how intelligent, open-minded, fair or kind you may be, you will never fully understand the experience of blacks in this country. But that is ok and you should NOT be expected to. This should not be viewed as a character flaw. In the same way I may never know the experience of a Jew in a society with a history of ant-semeitism. BUT the key is to simply show some respect and do not trivialize one's experience. Should I go up to Jew and say, "Buzz off, the Holocaust is over man, get over it, and anyway I never gased any Jew so bugger off, I'm tired of all these Holocaust museums and movies on the subject" ? Of course not. But in the same way those that have been disadvantaged should never use their experience as a crutch or as a political tool or a weapon to throw in the face of any white person.

Blacks in Bermuda have not asked for reparations as have other disenfranchised groups in other countries. They just want an even playing field. Many whites also want to achieve this and have worked very hard to make it a reality and they should be applauded.

What really annoys me on this blog is most white's inability to honestly accept any faults in UBP. I honestly believe it will be very difficult to end racial politics with these 2 parties.

1. UBP was founded by men who sought to preserve a segregated society and white privilege. Blacks who have joined have been unfairly seen as "sell-outs". Even the fairest right-thinking whites are viewed with suspician. Efforts at integration have often been viewed as strategic tokenism as their efforts rarely extend beyond the party. Some of the old guard have held back the young dynamic white and black members.

2. PLP was founded by men and women with a very socialist, left-wing mandate. Despite the fact the whites have always been welcomed (and some have joined and become ministers and MPs) they have unfairly been seen as anti-white. The party attacked the establishment head on for 30+ years and so many whites today just assume that these blacks must just really hate them. Whites wo have joined have been unfairly ostracized by their white peers. Some PLP members have allowed emotion to supersede reason. Some of the old guard have held back the young dynamic white and black members.

As human nature dictates it will be very hard for people to shake off their own prejudices and misconceptions about both parties and in my view this will continue into the foreseeable future with these two parties.

People like J.Galt and the rest of his website will be left to reside on Challenger Banks until they are brought down in some Branch Davidian showdown:-)unless the sharks get him/her first.

[Terry on 09.07.05 at 13:04]

Onion, I agree with most of your Post. In the 50's &60's, believe it or not I never felt this racial divide. It was as one could say, left to the Parties and Independants, the latter predominant. I lived on Dudley Hill. All the people there were Black. Only two families were were white/portugese. The realationship was tremendous. I am sure there was some time when the blacks thought about the things and the way they were treated but I guess they kept it amongst themselves. Only later did it come to light about all we have been talking about. I miss those days. Ervin Wilson is still there. A true Onion. He is still my friend and his Wife Coletta. I will always remember them for who they were. Humble, proud, backbonners of Bermuda. Back then, it was not who you were, it was about what you did. As said, it was not as focal as today and in the limelight but I will always cherish the Blacks that never left us hanging, just some of the Whites that led me and others astray by their greed. I still have more Black friends than white. A friend is a friend, and to me race should not focus on this but like Sparkey Lightbourne said, "they only like you when they want something".

I guess thats why I am a little Liberal. Hope you get my jist. Times change, some adjust, others want to dothe adusting. (good choice of words Terry).

Have to go now. Have a Gang meeting at 1330hrs. I'm only doing my little part which will make a differance somewhere down the road.

[soldier on 09.07.05 at 13:24]

That is a white liberal dream. The best way to fight PLP plantation doctors and lawyers is with their own medicine. But this is the Tourist season.
Loud mouths like Brown and Webb is why the black male is almost unemployable in the professional fields and why the youth are rebellious and violent. Negative leaders breed negative followers hence Mobutu saved Zaire and Gerry Rawlins Ghana.

[Fire on 09.07.05 at 13:34]

"That is a white liberal dream. The best way to fight PLP plantation doctors and lawyers is with their own medicine. But this is the Tourist season.
Loud mouths like Brown and Webb is why the black male is almost unemployable in the professional fields and why the youth are rebellious and violent. Negative leaders breed negative followers hence Mobutu saved Zaire and Gerry Rawlins Ghana."

Probably the dumbest thing I have read so far. Enlighten us all as to how Webb and Brown's comments made us all unemployable.

[Two Cent Charlie on 09.07.05 at 14:18]

Denis & Question,

I took a look at PLP.bm and downloaded the Platform section. Although I have not had the chance to read the complete paper I do have one question: Is this the same platform that was presented back in the first election that the PLP won or a new platform presented for 2003's election?

It appears that there are a quite a few people/positions/things still on the platform that no longer exist and I would imagine it would be benefitial to all Bermudians that it was kept up to date.

[de Man on 09.07.05 at 16:02]

The only reason any of you want to talk about an end to racial politics is because you are in the Opposition!!!

You never saw it as a problem before. Now all of a sudden you have woken up. Hypocrites!! All of you.

Terry you grew up in 50s and 60s and you never noticed the racial divide? Hello? Earth to Terry. Did u ever go to the movies with your black friends from up Dudley Hill? How about walk into a hotel with your black friends? Did you not wonder why you didn't go the same school as all your black friends? Hello?

If all of you were genuinely interested in getting rid of racism in politics you had 30 years in governemnt to do it. The train has left the station without you. You can get on or you can watch from the sides. Despite what this Limey tells you the onus is NOT on PLP. The PLP can survive without whites. It'll be sad but they'll live (provided they don't keep shooting themselves in the foot.). The UBP cannot survive without blacks. I don't even think I know any blacks who wake up in the morning hoping they get an apology from whites. I don't think most people care. If you like me, great. If you don't like me, great. If you respect my history great. If you don't, your loss. You'll stay in the Opposition.

Sorry I'm not as diplomatic as some of the others on this blog.

[Smiths on 09.07.05 at 16:29]

de Man...

Like you? Why would we want to do that?

You are insecure. It's probably my fault because I am white and at the end of the day, that's what this is all about isn't it?

Some of us try - in a clumsy sort of way - to go forward, but you don't want that do you? Too uncomfortable to change the "model" that you are used to.

Sad - oh so sad!

[de Man on 09.07.05 at 16:36]

Smiths, which part of below don't you understand?

"I don't even think I know any blacks who wake up in the morning hoping they get an apology from whites. I don't think most people care. If you like me, great. If you don't like me, great. If you respect my history great. If you don't, your loss. You'll stay in the Opposition."

Insecure? Where'd you get that from? I recognise some of you are genuine. But this idea that the PLP pulled "race" out of a hat after 1998 is the most hypocritical nonesense I have ever heard.

As Onion said,if you want to move forward stop sugar coating the past.

[ethiops on 09.07.05 at 16:38]

Let’s talk about race to the mass long enough
So we can stay clear away from doing a damn thing....

People sicken me at times as if every Bermudian isn't already a scholar in race relations.

Solutions people are usually the problems next
door neighbours. Another dynamic of solutions is
that they're usually out in the open for all to
see. What lacks imo is the true desire to move toward them. Which brings up the issue of do people really want to get rid of these problems they've known for so long like good old tee-shirts? It's like change scares the hell out of people. As if accepting people will take away from their serenity.

It's known that the root of all sickness is stress. Talking of problems can be a way to keep stress alive if no actions are quickly followed

It's known that the root of all sickness is stress. Talking of problems can be a way to keep stress alive if no actions are quickly followed. Some visuals of change would be nice
like the horrendous torture tourist attractions
in St.Georges square, with all the great sculptors in the world and the money we have from being a tax heaven, why not celebrate in creating some new fresh expressions of who we are as a mixed people and not these old colonial symbols that send off nice vibes for some and not so nice for others....

When I was growing up it was not common to see the UBP spend millions upon millions of dollars on the new prison or the airport with two new toilets, yet to see them splurge a little on locals was yet to be seen.

Bermuda needs to grasp the logic of the situation that’s far from pretty.
Island life is a stress in itself some Bermudians because of its past have problems feeling apart of society because of the society’s
unspoken flaws. The critical parent view that we have programmed into society creates friction which creates stress its normal and until we desire to change that it will only get worst and worst, back in the day no one would dream of having guns as a part of the Bermudian way of life. A blind eye that passes generations allows for values to set in and these are the hardest to change. So, its time for someone to be nice to its people knowing that what is put out is likewise harvest.

[Terry on 09.07.05 at 16:51]

de Man. Well you may be or you wanna be. Thats the point you are missing. As children we were not exposed to all the crap you want to bring down on me. From what you state, I would presume you are BLACK. Yes I did go to the movies then, and yes the blacks sat somewhere else but this did not bother us. We we not informed as to why this was happening or taking place. Yes I went to Gilbert Institute and there were blacks there.

Yes we went to Hotels in that time period, all the workers were Black. Harmony Hall was right across the street. As a child/teenager during this period I guess it was suppressed as I have stated before. We were young and enjoyed our friendship as groweruppers. We had not been blatantly told about what someone did or did not do. You seem to have an ax to grind about race. The world to me has more or lacks more about race. It's brought up when all else fails.

A Hypocrite? No, just saying and feeling things that are dear to me. I have moved on. When the train left the station, I was on it, were you?

Talk about letting it go. Life will go on and we can't change everyting even though we would like.

Actually, I find your remarks quite racist. Here I am trying to develope dialogue and you want to talk about what your parents thought and forberors? There are some good old boys in this world and I am one of them.

Diplomatic is not the word you are seeking. Chips on shoulders are more than weight. Concience. Have a great day and may you find daily peace because tomorrow is not guarenteed.Best wishes.

[Smiths on 09.07.05 at 16:56]

de Man..

Well...I guess recognising some of us are genuine is a start. Because (not that you would know) but many of us have been trying to kick those who discriminate, for years.

We often don't get very far as you would expect...but we try...so please don't take that away from us.

As for sugar coating...yep - many whites do. But what are you going to do with the whites that don't? Lump us all together because we are white?

I hear this point time and time again...and it very valid. And as one black guy said on here recently, it's the first thing to do to try and move forward.

So - if you can accept that some of wish to move forward + stop sugar coating the past...the question (which keeps getting asked and asked and asked) is HOW?

Maybe you could suggest a direction?

You might be surprised at the outcome from that.

[Oscar Meyer on 09.07.05 at 17:04]

Limey,

The questions you've just put on the table are patronizing. The bias in your article is inexcusable, the contempt you've shown for black PLP supporters (especially on LIB) is fascinating and there is no point having a discussion with someone who does not mean to be impartial. Limey, you have officially become not just a part of the problem, but a catalyst for division.

[Wavewashed on 09.07.05 at 17:07]

de Man -

Don't apologise for your honesty - there are times when diplomacy can be a euphemism for denial. You, on the other hand, have cut straight to the heart of the matter: The PLP does not need white Bermudians to survive - and for that matter did not need white Bermudians to get elected, hence their past focus on the black 'swing voter'. As you say ‘the train has left the station’.

But I believe that the ‘conductor and the passengers’ would welcome more people aboard and are regularly making stops and trying to get ‘bystanders’ attention, so to speak. The ‘bystanders’ need to wake up and realise (1) that the ‘train’ is moving (2) that the ‘conductor and passengers’ are trying to communicate with them and (3) that it might be in their best interests to hear what is being said – even if it is in a language that is foreign to them and they have to use a phrase book . . .

[Two Cent Charlie on 09.07.05 at 17:08]

de Man,

It would appear from your original post that you choose to chain yourself to the past. I sincerely hope your are in the minority as the rest of us strive to unshackle the future from the burden of discrimination.

[Terry on 09.07.05 at 17:16]

Two Cent Charlie, Wavewashed, Hot dog, Run for Independant Members of Parliament. I could have not said it better. There is hope. Man I love it when a plan comes together. As james Brown saidwas he Black). IFEEL GOOOOOOOD>>....... Bring it on. Time for change, and I don't mean Hog Pennies..

Love ya....................................

[Tired Of Politics on 09.07.05 at 17:35]

Onion,
I read your replies to my comments.. I wanted to take a second to reply to those. In ref to:

"I stated that you seem to live in la la land because you seem incapable of finding any fault in the UBP. That is not helpful to this debate."

As you mentioned, I am now on the opposition in SOME sense... however, I think you would be making a lrge assumption on my behalf and possibly other whiote UBP supporters to think that we have some mentality that UBP never made mistakes and is incapable of doing so should they ever be voted back in. I certainly think that as the opposition they are doing what oppositions do, attacking everything the PLP says etc. and making a lot more out of it that SOMETIMES is there.. I am capable of reading between the lines and not taking everything that the gazette says word for word.

I also think that the PLP HAS in fact for anything I think they have done poorly, done good things as well. I give ewart brown SOME kudos (outside of his recent racial comments and his wishing to take ownership of a free boat due to the fact that he spent governments money to buy all these fast ferries etc etc etc...) think that his move to force GPS on taxi drivers is excellent and I back it all the way (taking both sides into consideration) I know that as someone who ocassionally goes out for a night on the town, trying to get a taxi to get you there or get you home is nearly impossible.. Taxis with lights on drive past me constantly which is EXTREMELY infuriating... I think that the service will be improved. There are other things too that I would say PLP has done well outside of my general opinion for them.

I would however like to ask you a question though which I think more accurately represents the root of my line of thought on the racial politics issue here.

Would you ever vote UBP again personally? If so, what would make you do it and if not, why would you NOT do it?

I think that I am (again maybe wrongly assuming) that many black PLP supporters will continue to vote PLP based on emotion and not logical thought.

Thats where i get frustrated with the race issue. The worst part i feel is that PLP is aware of this and plays it using the race card to their advantage purely. When i see any talk along these lines during election times, I get sincerely disapointed in the state of things on this island.

Hopefully I am articulating myself clearly here. I would be sincerely interested in hearing your honest response on the topic.

-Tired of Politics

[The Limey on 09.07.05 at 17:51]

Oscar

I apologise if my questions came over as patronising. That was not my intent.

Despite our differences, we would both like to eliminate racism from Bermuda. So there must be some common ground between us. I'd like to find out where it is.

[question on 09.07.05 at 18:16]

Two Cent Charlie,

You presented a question to myself and Denis. I take it you found out the answer by reading the platform in it's entirety (hint: the dates should let you know that it was for the 2003 election)

In addition, i guess it would be useful if they continuously updated their platform on a daily basis, but i think it would be more productive if they spent their time accomplishing what they said they would do in the platform they presented @ election time.

Most political parties do not present platforms unless they have made radical changes to their organizational structure. So in the case of the PLP, it doesn't make much sense.

Hope this helps.

[question on 09.07.05 at 18:28]

Terry,

Hey Limey, check this one out... do you see that Terry has contradicted himself?

I'm gonna have to agree with Oscar on your reporting. I think you should be more balanced. Most of the time when a PLP supporter makes an unsubstantiated or contradictory comment, you are quick to point that out to everyone. I would hope you would do the same for UBP supporters.

Terry seems to have forgotten what he wrote "never felt this racial divide". Then de Man gave a few suggestions of the racial divide during that time period... (upon which many people said he had a chip on his shoulder and was being counterprodcutive. I dont think that some people thoroughly read the posts because it is obvious that they did not know de Man was responding to what Terry had said)...

Then Terry responded and said that he went to the movies and blacks sat elsewhere... and he went to hotels and blacks were the workers (servants). I dont know about you but those seem like examples of the racial divide to me.

Doesn't that sound contradictory to you?

[Terry on 09.07.05 at 18:30]

Mr. Limey, we,us them, whatever will never be able to get rid of racial discrimination. It's been hidden, swept under the carprt etc. for centuries. It is now more open to public debate, lawsuits etc. We are just more oen about it because of the avenues one can take to make a buck or relieve or try to relieve ourselves of the chips on our shoulders.

[Terry on 09.07.05 at 18:40]

Racial Divide. Your words not mine. I never said Blacks were servants, I said they worked in the Harmony Hall. Whites work too. And yes some were Servants, my Mother was. She had a job you ninnie Butt. Thats why this will never end. I have a life, do you? Full of wonder and suprise. And I take one day at a time. Sure would like to meet ya. Tunes change. Why attack me, because I don't use all those high falluton words you do. Gonna read the royal gizzard. At least it is biased, racial, socialist, democratic etc, etc.

You wonder why the whites make up nine percent.

Happy days.............

[question on 09.07.05 at 19:42]

RACIAL DIVIDE... Terry (or everyone for that matter)... do a search on this page and see who was the first user of the phrase RACIAL DIVIDE... you may be surprised Terry... IT'S YOU! Therefore, they are YOUR words, i just used them in my response to you.

Terry says:

I never said Blacks were servants, I said they worked in the Harmony Hall.

Terry, you said they worked there... you didnt say they were staying there, or even that they worked in Harmony Hall. From my experience, when you work at a hotel, you are a servant, i.e. you serve your guests... that's the point of the whole hostpitality industry. I never said that your mother or any whites didn't work at the hotel, where did you get that from? All I was trying to point out (along with Oscar) was that some of the whites at the hotel were working, others were staying there... the blacks you saw at the hotel were not staying there, they were working there... thus, the racial divide.

No one has attacked you, just pointing out the inconsistencies in your post. I'm sorry you feel threatened by a little criticism.

Oh, and great for your mom, she has a job, good for her. Not sure what a ninnie butt is though.

P.S. The stupid pointless questions you ask are a bit juvenile:

"When the train left the station, I was on it, were you?"

"I have a life, do you?"

... let's show some maturity here.

[Raptor on 09.07.05 at 20:06]

“Raptor, Thats a load of Bull Shit. Its the same crap all the time, oh my great grand mother was a slave, who gives a fuck, thats more than I know and care to know about my family history, or history for that matter. I live for the here and now. Black this black that, you don't want to be treated like a "black", then stop acting like one, be an individual for christ sake, you fucking pussy. please cut the shit Posted by: J Galt | 09.07.05 09:30 “

Wow, Galtie has done it again! What a vocab: shit, crap, fuck, black, black, black, Christ, fucking pussy, shit. Stellar! I think I should get some kind of award for having this load of garbage directed at me. Or has he exceeded this level previously with someone else? And I didn’t even write about smoking!

Ha, Galtie, you missed again. If you want to have a meaningful exchange with someone, it helps to know where they’re coming from. This is the basis for mediation, for diplomacy—dialog. And MAYBE EVEN FOR DISCUSSING POLITICS IN BERMUDA.

You’ll notice that I did not suggest someone live in the past, (which is different than studying history). Nor do I believe it is particularly healthy or helpful to use one’s family history as an excuse in life.

I live in the here and now too—but also for the FUTURE. And to accuse me of not being “an individual” would make anyone who knows me laugh hysterically.

Your obscene words are small feeble weapons indeed. I was almost hoping they’d jump-start your brain, but it doesn’t look at though that’s happened.

[oldschool on 09.07.05 at 20:08]

Does anyone know if cauk-asians have ever
made a public apology for the wrongs done to
the black race and if so can they give a link
indicating where and when this took place?
Some say that cauk-asians are incapable of
doing this which explains resentment on behalf of Blacks.

if you've never seen the word cauk
don't waste time searching the meaning its been removed from history book and dictionaries

[Yansan on 09.07.05 at 20:18]

lol What’s wrong with being treated like a black man we are only the creators of mathematics, science, technology and so much more. I fail to not see what’s not to be proud of. My dear fellows black history has been suppressed if not completely deleted from public access, however when we unlock the mystery of our own passage you'd be surprised the amount of esteem it can give you. There isn't a white man alive that can make me feel like my ancestors felt I know too much esp that they are the creators of nothing other than disease and stress. Feel free to misunderstand what i've written and blow it out of proportion lol

[Terry on 09.07.05 at 20:42]

Question, ?????????Have a nice day. You suckered me enough. You cannot follow your own logic. This blog is about opinions, all of ours. Yes my mother had a job!!!! Guess yours did't. What a stupid comment.
Get life. I guess you will become one of my, 'non responders'. I don't live up to your expectations b ut IZ sure as hell do to mine. Good bye.

[Tired Of Politics on 09.07.05 at 20:44]

Oldschool,
See this is another avenue where I as a white man get frustrated. I am a young Bermudian of approximately 30 years of age. What did I as an individual do to the black race and why should I be responsible for apologizing for something I did not do?

I could be misreading your post, so I will ask, are you suggesting that all white Bermudians or white people period that had nothing to do with the wrong doings apologize to you etc as a whole?

If so, I would say that is a tad absurd. That would be like knowingly admitting to a crime you didnt do for no apparent reason. I had nothing to do with that... I feel that comments and thoughts like that only keep racism alive. If you intended that as i think you did, your not part of a solution but rather a part of the problem by continuing it all.

Half of the people that did DIRECT harm in ANY form to black bermudians related to race issues are dead or close to it by this age. For that reason, it is unlikely that they can give you an apology, plus like all old people most are set in their ways anyways.

That leaves the younger generation that had NOTHING at all to do with the problem. For that fact, while i dont know your age, I would ask, has racism hindered YOU directly as a person in Bermuda or are you just repeating what your predecessors taught you to do so? If thats the case, arent you just continuing racism too?

-Tired of Politics

[Tired Of Politics on 09.07.05 at 22:08]

man.. calm down children ;) Sigh.. it gets like kindergarden on these sites sometimes...

-Tired of Politics

[Oscar Meyer on 09.07.05 at 22:17]

Limey said,

Despite our differences, we would both like to eliminate racism from Bermuda. So there must be some common ground between us. I'd like to find out where it is.

Limey,

You just don't get it do you? People are going to read your analogy and think, "Yeah, blacks like Ewart Brown want revenge on us innocent white people. He wants blacks to hate white people." All you've done with this article is perpetuate racial politics, Limey. Few people will read it and ask the deeper questions like, "What was Ewart Brown really saying?" You robbed them of an opportunity to learn something that might bring us one step closer. Your simplistic analysis ineveitibly leads to the simplistic racially-partisan conclusion /// UBP = right, PLP = wrong. Kim Swan and company couldn't be happier with what you wrote! We've been there and done that Limey. Until you appreciate that Bermuda's racial problems were not dormant in 1998 as Kim Swan delusionally suggests, you will never get it.

I could see if you wrote that article having never heard an alternative point of view, but you had it in your hand. You cannot confess ignorance, naivete' or even histrionics. You treated our point of view like it had absolutely no worth whatsoever. In your mind, what we think is so worthless that it doesn't even deserve to be shared with the public, let alone evaluated or challenged out in the open. What makes you any different from any UBP propagandist if you choose to dress up a carefully-slanted diatribe as an objective analysis? How do you expect me to believe that you really want to find a common ground if you can't even bother to be impartial?

[Shark on 09.07.05 at 22:54]

I have read this but have refraimed from posting a reply as this has just desitigrated mud tossing.

While i dont know the ages of the people on this blog i am wondering how many of you are under the age of 20 ie those that were born after much of the race related choas of the mid-late 20th century.

I myself and many of my friends in Bermuda both white and black really could care less about your petty squables of they havent said sorry or race is still locked into the politcial system, (and i say this with respect to my elders) Most of the politicions now are balding middle aged men who will be dead in the next 30-40 years and there precived views on the world they grew up in will go with them. And most of what is said is meaninglish dribble conjoured by a mind that refuses to let go of the past but likes to stew in it untill it eats them hole untill they cant think any other way.

my words may seem harse but they are true as race is not a factor for me or my friends and there friends and there friends. So squabble all you like as in the next 10-20 years it really will not matter.

[The Limey on 09.07.05 at 23:19]

Oscar

Whites by and large do not vote for the PLP.

I was trying to explain one of the reasons why.

Feel free to interpret my words in whatever manner fits your prejudices. That won't change the facts.

You continue to refuse to discuss solutions to Bermuda's problems with race. Until you're prepared to do that, further dialogue with you is pointless.

[Onion on 10.07.05 at 00:25]

Terry,

Nobody doubts that your friendships with black people were genuine and i'm sure you had some good times. But you said you grew up in 50s and 60s and you said you were not aware of racial divisions. I think the point that de Man was making was that racial division was everywhere and your black friends would have experienced it, even if they didn't mention it to you. Eg. You mentioned you went to Gilbert Institute. This school didn't have a black principal until 1973 and her arrival caused an uproar amongst white parents when they found out she was coming on board. Harmony Hall would not have allowed blacks to stay at the hotel.

Tired of Politics says,

"I would however like to ask you a question though which I think more accurately represents the root of my line of thought on the racial politics issue here.

Would you ever vote UBP again personally? If so, what would make you do it and if not, why would you NOT do it? "

Good question. Unlike a lot of black and white people I do not view political parties as religions. For some, to switch political parties is heresy. I am not of that mindset. If the UBP showed that they were genuinely interested in moving forward and cutting their ties with the old guard and creating a more inclusive Bermuda then I would not rule out voting for them. But this would have to be more than lip-service.

I would not vote for them if they continue to be the wishy washy party that they presently are. Right now they seem to be just waiting for the PLP to cock up. They seem to be betting on gaining support by default. That is not a good enough reason to vote for them.

But the PLP have not always impressed. They have disappointed me on a lot of issues. Eg. In the run up to the 1998 election they promised to strengthen Bermudiansation in the corporate world. In reality they appear to lack the balls to take a firm stance against offenders - and there are many. They have also been too cagey on the issue of independence. They need to be more open about their intentions.

My ideal scenario was for PLP getting into power in 1998 and concentrating on their social agenda from day one, and the UBP becoming a strong and viable opposition. Neither has happened.

Tired of Politics says:

"I think that I am (again maybe wrongly assuming) that many black PLP supporters will continue to vote PLP based on emotion and not logical thought."

Yes you are wrong and such an assumption presupposes that blacks are mindless emotional idiots incapable of making a logical decision. I have said this 1000 times on this blog. Blacks, not whites, have shown themselves to be the ones throughout history to be more likely to vote for the issues, NOT just the party. BLACKS helped keep the UBP in power for 30 years. If blacks were only guided by emotion then they would've voted for the PLP from its inception.

Why don't you ask whether whites would only vote for the UBP based on emotion and not logical thought?

Limey said,

"Despite our differences, we would both like to eliminate racism from Bermuda. So there must be some common ground between us. I'd like to find out where it is."

Well it certainly isn't in your latest article. The biased and selective arguments you've displayed won't hasten any integration anytime soon. Our common ground is that we love Bermuda. IMO an end to racism won't come through forums, seminars, conferences, committees, inquiries etc etc. It comes through action. It must start with education and exposure of our young. Do people encourage their children to mix with other ethnicities? Is it important for you that they only mix with kids of social elite? Are schools teaching young kids the great history of Europe AND Africa, white AND black Bermuda? Are kids being taught not to stereotype themselves and others? "That's black music, that's white music, you talk too black, you're an oreo." Are black and white kids brought together socially and athletically so they can all celebrate a Peter Bromby sailing victory, a Shaun Goater goal or Bermuda making the Cricket World Cup for the first time in our history? Do we frown when our teenage son/daughter starts dating someone of another race? Do we disown them when they say they want to get married?

[Luthor on 10.07.05 at 00:40]

A former governor said it best when he suggested the cure to Bermuda's problems would be to put the 2 dozen or so people on both sides of the racial divide and let them kill each other off!

Let's face it there are people who if every white person apologised for and tried to make amends for the past would still be unable to find healing. Look at what Dodwell is trying to do - people say whites don't want to talk about race, he's doing it, people say whites don't want to apologise for what's happened in the past he's done it. Unfortunately, his motives are questioned because of the history of his party. But I also think that many of us are too emotionally invested in maintaining the current divide to believe that some whites might want to begin the dialogue and start the reconciliation process

I think there are far too many of my people who continue to seek validation from whites or continue to give whites "free reign" in our minds.

Why do I say that? When you have an organization that has repeatedly shown that it can succeed with little or no white support and that has proclaimed itself repeatedly as a black party why are they upset about the fact that whites don't want to join? Our institutions political and otherwise don't need white involvement or approval to be legitimized.

Do I believe racism and discrimination exist? Absolutely, I have personally been exposed to it. But too many of us are building the power of the white man to almost God like status when we should be focusing on what we can do for ourselves.

As a people we have a long legacy of being oppressed but nobody seems to talk about the generations of brainwashing that occurred where we were convinced of our inferiority. If we can begin to deal with that whether its through things like the Ashay Program or whatever then the healing process can begin. Until we can get over our own issues we won't be able to see ourselves as equals. But the white man can't, won't and shouldn't heal us - we have to do that for ourselves and then we will be able to talk about what their role should be in the reconciliation process

[Onion on 10.07.05 at 01:37]

Luthor,

Your points are valid. However, this debate was not started by blacks looking for an apology, or laying blame, pointing fingers, or looking for healing from whites. Limey started this debate as he was questioning the PLP's desire to attract whites and looking for a way to end racism in politics. I am not exactly sure which audience you are speaking to.

You hit the nail on the head when you said that "our institutions political and otherwise don't need white involvement or approval to be legitimized." I maintain however that if whites wanted to join the PLP they would be welcome to cross the line. Blacks have ventured across to UBP in the face of all adversity. Why can't whites do the same towards PLP?

[de Man on 10.07.05 at 01:55]

Luthor says,"As a people we have a long legacy of being oppressed but nobody seems to talk about the generations of brainwashing that occurred where we were convinced of our inferiority."

And so you think www.limeyinbermuda.com is the forum to talk about this where 99% of the bloggers are probably white? These guys are not interested in all that. They'd just say we are digging up the past again.

In any event I don't recall any of us opening up the debate and begging for reconciliation. I don't need anyone to help me "heal". In fact I ain't even scarred. I grew up around black and white kids and have a mixed set of friends. I am not stick in the past. I don't have chains around my ankles. I don't hate white people. If anyone wants to reconcile, I am game. If not asta la vista (or however u spell it). And I think that is the mentality of most blacks in 2005. Integration was a big thing in 1970s and 80s. They got duped and they moved on. They've just moved on. Yes, some on both sides of the spectrumm are still bitter but generally speaking in 2005 blacks just want to get a piece of the pie - plain and simple. It would be great if we could all do it together, but if not I don't think blacks will lose any sleep anymore.

"A former governor said it best when he suggested the cure to Bermuda's problems would be to put the 2 dozen or so people on both sides of the racial divide and let them kill each other off!"

Sir Edwin Leather.

[Luthor on 10.07.05 at 03:15]

So where do we go from here? We have two communities with fringe elements holding diametricallty opposed entrenched positions and the rest of us are caught in the middle.

To me the political landscape is pretty jacked up right now as the PLP seems to have become everything our foreparents fought against while the UBP hasn't really caught my imagination. They seem to be trying, maybe even genuine but they come across like the awkward geek trying to ask a girl out on a date but lack social skills!

Unlike a lot of folks I can't blame all the people in the UBP today for what happened yesterday as I am hard pressed to think of anything that the folks left over from the pre-98 days did that were corrupt or racist - although I'm not too sure about Max Burgess

On one of the topics I asked the question could anyone list any of the perpetrators of scandals/screwups/corruption in the UBP today - no one has answered me yet!

I'm not trying to be funny but I am really interested in knowing the truth about our history particularly as it relates to the current cast of players in the UBP. Are there really still elements of the "old UBP" mindset in there?

Also I am curious as to your perspectives on why black UBP candidates are still being called uncle toms, traitors etc and whether these are valid claims

Anyway here are a couple of solutions:

white folks - start talking honestly about race with black people, don't insist that we get over it or deny responsibility, attend traditionally black functions like the Berkeley fair, labour day and 24th of May, be prepared to make mistakes, be prepared to take some heat and perhaps most importantly challenge racism loudly and publically whenever it occurs

For the black community we really need to start working on our issues of inferiority and anger - we need to be willing to embrace those whites who are making an effort to reach out to us and we must be willing to forgive.

These aren't the be all and end all but I really hope that we can begin talking to each other and instead of at each other.

To the white community Onio, Jake et al aren't your enemies and while you may not like what they have to say they are at least willing to engage in this dialogue so don't get defensive and don't be afraid to call them on it when they are talking crap

To my people, Limey, Terry et al aren't the enemy (the folks of freespeech forum are!)let's try and remember that and continue to beat up on them when they are talking crap

A big wake up call for me during my pissed off stage in life was when my future wife said to me "If you hate white people so much, why do you spend all your time talking about them?"

[Terry on 10.07.05 at 09:45]

The first Black Headmistress at Gilbert has nothing to do with my Black friends on the early 50's,60's. My point was that we got along and did not dwell on all this racial stuff during this time. In the early 70's it became more up front with radical views from the Black Berets and other outspoken persons whom I will not name. Some of the comments they made were correct and my eyes were opened as to the amount of racial divide there was, ceilings put on blacks etc. I was not a participant in this, even though it was going on around me. I can apoligise for myself but not for others since what they did and said was beyond my control and I took no part.

Finding a solution is difficult. The problem and what causes it to rear it's ugly head must be addressed first then tackled. In my simple view it's a Black and White issue and can only be overcome, in time, with both sides come to the table. This will not be solved by us on the internet, blogging away. Theres nothing personal there, except attacks

One final thing. When I was talking about Blacks at Harmony Hall, my intention was that they were there, working. That was and is very commendable. Blacks not staying there never entered my mind, that was not the point I was making. I give creedance and respect to the hard working Blacks and some of you twist my words.

I am doing my part and not raising my voice in anger. At least I am making a contribution, albeit small but thats all I can do in this short journey. Have a great day, and God Bless you all.

[question on 10.07.05 at 10:39]

Terry, what we are trying to point out to you is the racial divide that existed at the time. You said that no divide existed... but it really did.

You say that some radical groups opened your eyes to the racial division that you initially did not see (or did not want to see). This further proves that the divide was there.

It is commendable that you apoligise for anything you may have done and we do not want you to apologise for anyone else.

Others on this board were asking if you did anything to help end this racial divide? I want to know once you realized the racial divide, did you do anything to stop it (if it was within your ability)? Martin Luther King, Jr. said it best when he said:

In the End,
we will remember
not the words of our enemies,
but the silence of our friends.

It isn't good if you know that blacks are not having equal opportunities but you just stand by and let those who are being racist continue with their ways, e.g. if blacks only work at Harmony Hall, challenge your boss as to why they were not allowed to stay there. if blacks could not sit where they pleased in the theatre, ask the owner why, dont just sit there and let it continue to happen.

I think many blacks today saw the lack of action by whites in those times and this has led to a difficulty in trust of whites when they stood by silently while blacks suffered through slavery and segregation.

Due to the continued existence of institutionalised racism, it is clear that while blacks do have better opportunities than in the past, they are still not having an equal opportunity.

[Terry on 10.07.05 at 11:01]

Question, all your comments are reasonable. I did my part. I did not start a movement of behalf of Black injustice etc. Whe I heard things said or being done I put in my two cents. One Man is not an island, my voice was heard but not listened too. I had to move on and get on with my life. My expressions to Shorty Trimingham, John Stubbs, Harry Viera, Jim Woolridge where listened too but thats all I could do at the time. Being a Portagee during this time was rough too. Not as bad as the Blacks. I tried to keep an even keel, I did my best and looked out for others as best I could.

When I reflect back, I did what I could. If you want to hold me accountable for something or things I did not do, then so be it. One does not have to be a radical to overcome. Thats all I have to say. I confront injustice everyday, I still do my part in a small way. I do it.Enough said. Can't we all get along quoting Rodney King.
Doing my best is all I can do. You cannot convince me otherwise. When you can blame me for something, besides taking a back seat, which I did not then it's not worth attacking what I did or did not do. I did what I could. Have a nice day.