Forever Autumn

It's official. The PLP is a racist organisation. We all thought so when Renee made her comment about 'people who look like me' but, let's face it, there was no proof. Today however, is a day which will go down in history as the day that everything changed.

Firstly, we discovered that Alex is confused by technology. Hey! He should've stuck with a regular cell phone! I guess he should be glad he only had a Blackberry and not a Treo - you can do even more damage with one of those!

Secondly, he doesn't understand the difference between 'reply' and 'reply all'. Hey! I've been there. Of course in my case I only let some party people know that a couple of us were having a pre party party before the main bash. No friends lost there - in fact I gained some.

The same cannot be said for Mr. Scott and his latest stunt. In fact I'm willing to bet that he will lose some of his faithful over this. Mr. Scott quite clearly stated that he is fed up with hearing from people who look like Tony Brannon.

I have some bad news for Mr. Scott. Aside for a few pounds around the middle, I look like Mr Brannon. I am also pissed off like Tony, and and not going to take it anymore. This Government are a bunch of white hating, lying, cheating, thieves. They have proved it beyond a doubt time and again.

Therefore, as of today, I am joining the ranks of Brannon, and the Limey as yet another annoying activist who will become a pain in Alex's ass.

You asked for it Alex - you got it.

Lastly Mr. Scott, I did know what I was signing, and you owe the entire electorate an apology. My number is in the book.

Chris Broadhurst
Bermudian Voter

Comments

[Slowhand on 30.09.05 at 23:31]

I concur with you wholeheartedly Chris, and will be joining you as one who looks like Brannon (if not a little younger) I want to act like him too! An activist is born!

[Lisa on 01.10.05 at 08:05]

I would not group the entire party together with Alex and Ewart. I think we will see some very interesting divisions before the next election. I do not believe that the entire PLP organisation is racist though I agree with you that some of them certainly are and that is indeed very sad.

Great to see such a bold post from a new blogger!

L.

[observor on 01.10.05 at 09:57]

Lisa

If you're right, and the views of Alex, Ewart & Rene are isolated phenomena, why doesn’t the remainder of the PLP hierarchy take a stand against such ignorant and divisive points of view? The silence of the PLP membership regarding, in your view, their apparent disgust with these unhelpful and discordant remarks, is deafening. Why wait for an election for these loathsome musketeers to be ejected from their crumbling, hypocritical thrones of self-importance? Take a stand now and show Bermudians what the PLP are mode of, not what they hope to become if given yet another chance at bat!

[Raptor on 01.10.05 at 10:13]

Chris writes: "It's official. The PLP is a racist organisation....This Government are a bunch of white hating, lying, cheating, thieves. They have proved it beyond a doubt time and again."

I have a problem with this. As I've written in other posts, blanket stereotypes are not necessarily accurate or what we need. Many have spoken about the core-leadership-only of the PLP in some of these terms and wished that more competent above-board PLP members would move into leadership. What you've written suggests that everyone who belongs to the PLP is a racist, and I don't buy that at all. Please let us know the individuals you believe are doing the hating, lying and cheating--I think that would be a stronger argument in many ways.

When you write that you're "willing to bet that [A.S.] will lose some of his faithful over this," I think you are acknowledging that not all PLP fit the adjectives you use above. But I still have a problem with blanketing all PLP the way you have.

I think your calling "Limey...yet another annoying activist," is unfortunate. From the time I've spent here, I've seen him as being just who he says he is, clearly stated in his mission: "Getting Bermuda Talking." He follows through in his posts with pretty solid consistency on that. By linking him to the comments in your first paragraph, and then to Tony Brannon who deals with things in a very different way, I believe you do the Limey a disservice and might lead others to believe he is "another annoying activist." He's not. He's an activist, contributing to the community, and sometimes his opinions might annoy some people--which is quite different.

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 01.10.05 at 10:15]

Heah guys dont forget they ran the knife through their elected leaders back just after she had won them a narrow victory.No the PLP is not unified anymore than the UBP is or was...thats good because who needs lemmings in Government...All things must pass...We will survive the PLP and the UBP or any other group that comes along that does not remain true to their election promises.The future is in the Voters hands along with the creation of the very choices it votes for.I would not class the PLP as racist more of a historical reaction to the Old White ruling class and The British Colonial service and all of the unfairness they generated in Bermuda.We are still saddled with that legacy and it may be a futher generation or two, before we work all this stuff out.Narrow based political parties are certainly not the wave of the future they are in most cases a reaction to the past. Well done Chris but don't forget your sense of humour.It will stand you in better stead than politics.

[Tony B on 01.10.05 at 10:45]

Go Chris....
Seeing Paul McCartney the other night together was great eh?

.....You have balls my friend....

Something the rest of Bermuda need to see if they have...

All the pathetic hoteliers who talk behind each others backs....Cannot face down the Government desrerve where they are today...
They had no balls and most still have NO BALLS....
Fairmont Hotels have bullied their way around for years...and it is time for Bermudians to take back this industry instead of the foreignors taking care of themselves and leaving the Bermudians to grab for crumbs...

Fairmont do not even put on decent Entertainment for their guests yet they suck up to the Government like real ass kissers.

When the last light goes out in hotel land.....Just remember you (Bermudians) never fought hard enough to save tourism.....
You never said enough is enough from the pathetic Government DOT.

At least the Black Beret Cadre, who as Renee says Run Bermuda today, had balls allbeit very evil ones, whose motto was "By all means necessary" to take power by burning and looting and threatening and intimidating and driving out Bill Marriott and the list goes on..... Now they are in power and have F**ked it up badly ....where are the BALLS in 2005 of the Bermuda Business community, the hoteliers, the shopkeepers, grass roots etc ?

You all better wake up and say enough is enopugh or the PLP will ruin this island.

[jake on 01.10.05 at 11:39]

Chris,

Having read your contribution again, I am amazed that you are being featured as a writer. I am sure that there will be those who agree with you, but will you cause anyone to think - debate - learn.

Look how few have posted here.

That speaks volumes.

Tony,

The Black Beret Cadre do not run Bermuda. The PLP do. You have valid points on tourism, but when you stray into the hate talk of
Bermuda Free Speech Forum it weakens your valid comments.

Let's have some more ideas from you and less diatribe. I think you have a lot to say. It is easier to hear when you take the petty points out of it.

[Bill Cook on 01.10.05 at 11:45]

Tony,

Maybe you meant the BLACK BERRY CADRE ?

[Lisa on 01.10.05 at 12:11]

LMAO!

[Tony B on 01.10.05 at 12:14]

Re Black beret cadre...
If you read the RG Magazine this week...the story on Renee Webb....she says on page 30....

She remembers being in the middle of the riots when tear gas was being sprayed. "when you are a teenager it's exciting. You don't understand the effect it is having on the economy. All you know is black people are fed up and they are burning. We were running into it to see the action. We weren't afraid. Then they started bringing out the guns and there was a ship stationed outside. A LOT OF PEOPLE IN POWER NOW WERE IN THE THROES OF THAT, AT THAT TIME".

enuff said.

TB

[Bud-WISER on 01.10.05 at 12:38]

"It's official. The PLP is a racist organisation."

I do not think this is a blanket statement. It states that the Organisation is racist, not that each and evey member is. We have had enough examples of racist remarks coming from their ranks, the leaders no less, so I think it is a more than fair comment. If the leaders are making these statements, and they remain the leaders, the Organisation as a whole is then seen to be supportive of those remarks.

[Two Cents on 01.10.05 at 13:41]

Tony,

It is imperative that you take this all the way to the Human Rights Commission. If not in only a few weeks the PLP voters will have forgotten about this just as they have forgotten about
Pay to Play, Berkley and numerous other scandals and deceit that this government have been involved in.

This Government works using a "If we don't discuss it for long enough ...it will go away" policy.

Tony, remember if the shoe was on the other foot, and you had made such a racist comment ...you'd be hanging from the Flag Pole.

[Mailorder Doctor on 01.10.05 at 13:53]

Come on you lot!!! Stop acting 'horrified'!!

You all know damn well the history of the PLP. Look at the 70's. The murder of Duckett and the attempted murder of his innocent wife and child. The murder of Sharples and his Aid, the murder of the shopping center workers.

AND WHAT DID THEY DO!!!!

LISTEN UP.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.....THEY SET FIRE TO HAMILTIN WHEN THE MURDERERS WERE PUNISHED.

What the hell makes you all think that these b***ards are any different now, and now they are in control!!!

WAKE THE F%$K UP!!!!!!

[Slowhand on 01.10.05 at 13:56]

Whoa! What was that..... cool off Doc. We don't do it like that here.

[Uncle Elvis on 01.10.05 at 14:00]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, Mailorder.

ease up a bit there, Cap'n.
We're trying to deal with stuff in a calm, measured manner here, as best we can.

I, for one, don't blame the PLP for the murders back then and I certainly don't blame the PLP for the riots. I don't blame black folks, either.

There are people to blame, though...

THE GUYS WHO DID THE MURDERING AND THE GUYS WHO DID THE RIOTING!

Hello? Getting through? Those are the people, and ONLY those people, who are to blame. To blame a political party for rthese acts is not only ridiculous, it is inflammatory and counterproductive.

If you want a better Bermuda, a better life, calm the fuck down and use your head.

[Mailorder Doctor on 01.10.05 at 14:40]

You guys know damn well of the elements in the PLP and what they were back them. My alarm bells are ringing mate, you all think that they respect democracy. By being intellectual you believe you can discuss them out of power through the electorate.

DO YOU THINK THEY CARE WHAT YOU THINK!

They are dismantling the rule of law, a tyranny is in it's infancy...act now or accept your future as a second class citizen and your children will be unemployed no matter how qualified they are. then you will leave....exactly what they want.

[Slowhand on 01.10.05 at 15:11]

This may all be true, but vocalising the way you did is also a way of playing into their hands.

[Uncle Elvis on 01.10.05 at 15:23]

Exactly.

Throwing out venom and bile like that only offers ammunition. It doesn't help, it doesn't help us move forward towards equality. All it does is give people an opportunity to say "Look at how much they hate us. Look at how scared they are of the black man. Buncha racists. We don't need to listen, if they're going to act like that."

As long as people remain calm and don't rant and rave, they're going to have to lie and scheme and misinform to get their way. These things are easier to fight and expose.

So calm down and maybe come up with some positive solutions to the problem, instead of just screaming about them.

[Mailorder Doctor on 01.10.05 at 15:23]

FUCK EM!

[Mailorder Doctor on 01.10.05 at 15:26]

Only joking! HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!!

Alright alright......I agree, but you got to look at that point of view, it exists and they need to be aware of it. You say they use it, I say they7 should watch out for it.

[Phil on 01.10.05 at 16:22]

Raptor

I think your calling "Limey...yet another annoying activist," is unfortunate.

lol. I laughed at this when I saw it and asked Chris about it. He said he meant it "in the nicest possible way". I didn't take offence. I think he meant "annoying" from the Premier's point of view.

[Ethiops on 01.10.05 at 16:43]

To say the PLP is a racist orginisation is a bit much don't you think...

[SmokingGun on 01.10.05 at 16:47]

To say the PLP pulls some stupid stunts that could make people believe it is an organistaion that has too many racists might be better....

[Chris Broadhurst on 01.10.05 at 19:03]

The fact that the PLP did nothing after Rene made an openly racist comment means they condoned it - therefore embrace that type of racism. They are clearly racist.

Not every member of the PLP is racist I'm sure - but the official party line is obviously that of being racist. If they do nothing over this current issue they will confirm it yet again.

WAKE UP!

[Chris Broadhurst on 01.10.05 at 19:06]

.....and by the way, thank you for all the comments - including the negative ones. I am prepared for anything you can throw at me.

Many people are afraid to speak up for fear of reprisal. Perhaps they'll get thrown out of Bda, or their house - or lose their job.

Give it your best - you ain't getting rid of me.

To the tune of I Feel Fine "He don't look like me but I'll be just fine'.

:-)

[Raptor on 01.10.05 at 20:34]

Limey, I didn’t think Chris was trying to insult you; I can see why you’d laugh at that! It’s pretty clear that he meant annoying from the Premier’s point of view.

I didn’t explain myself well enough. I was taking issue more with the context in which the term “another annoying activist” was expressed. If I were a PLP leader reading this post, I would see you being included in a group that consists of Tony Brannon, who “yells” in his emails (not that he doesn’t have some good points), is not respectful of the office of Premier (with some good reason), and is now associated with the BFSF (probably unfairly so), and with Chris Broadhurst, who is going on about the PLP as a “racist organization [of] white hating, cheating, thieves”—in your first guest post. That’s quite a package. Such a reader would naturally assume you approved the post and probably figure you agreed with the content (not necessarily true). All this stuff is tainting.

I feel this post goes in the wrong direction with blanket stereotypes—not just that all PLP are racist, but also by grouping you and your blog with others. Imagine a PLP leader/reader, for example, easily stereotyping three white annoying activists with the above list of negative attributes attached, instead of looking at and listening to each of you individually and perhaps seeing a few similarities, but also seeing how different you are.

I have never seen you write anything in the tone of either TB’s or Chris’ pieces. You might be an activist, and an annoying one at times, but you write better and with a lot more balance and openness.

[Turtle on 01.10.05 at 20:46]

Right on, Raptor!

[Phil on 01.10.05 at 22:20]

Raptor

Thank you.

Let me make it clear: just because I have included Chris as a guest blogger here does not mean that I agree with what he says. Chris' opinions are his own. I daresay Tim Hodgson doesn't agree with what Alvin Williams says much of the time either (not that I'm comparing you to Alvin, Chris!).

You may prefer my writing and opinions to his; others may prefer his to mine. But I'm glad that we're different. There would be little point having different authors writing for the site if we all thought and wrote the same way.

There will always be those who are prepared to disregard nuance of opinion and simply put my opinions and his in the same "anti PLP" bucket. But I'm not going to concern myself with people like that.

It's still my hope that more people will volunteer to become guest bloggers. As I said when I proposed the move, I would prefer having people writing for this site with a diverse range of views - both pro- and anti-government. But unfortunately not many people are prepared to write under their own name. I have written directly to one strong PLP supporter to invite him to contribute to the site; unfortunately he decided to decline for the time being.

If that means that this site becomes a group blog that is generally opposed to the PLP rather than being an individual blog that is generally opposed to the PLP, so be it. To any PLP sympathiser who is upset by that I say: contact me and become a guest blogger yourself. I'm not out to censor any particular point of view.

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 02.10.05 at 11:34]

I think your wasting your time sitting looking at a computer Limey.....I think your good at Law....maybe Law is something you should consider.

[Chris Broadhurst on 02.10.05 at 14:31]

I did not ever say the entire PLP was racist. What I said was that they obviously condone racist behavior as a party line - otherwise they would have done something about Rene, and would now be doing something about Alex.

If I had sent a memo thru my employers stating I didn't like dealing with blacks - I would expect to be fired and possibly worse.

The office of the Premier is the highest in our Government. It absolutely has to seem impartial. Clearly it is not - and this is unacceptable. You folks can dance around this all you want and try to justify his slip of the keyboard - but it is here - and its here to stay.

There was even some guy on Shirley Dill this morning saying that making a racial slur does not make someone racist. I wonder if he would've had the same opinion if Alex was white. DON'T MAKE ME LAUGH.

[jake on 02.10.05 at 14:52]

Chris,

I did not think that Renee's comments were racist at all. What did she say, anyway? In a country with a majority black population, statistically insignificant amounts of Government money were spent with black businesses. Perhaps she was inelegant in how she pointed that out, but it is not racist to state the fact that there has been, and continues to be disparity. To improve that disparity should we (a) do nothing, (b) do less business with black businesses (c) do more business with black businesses.

That is of course based on whether you agree that disparity exists in the first place. We have discussed at length on this site the benefits of hiring the best people in the political context, which by definition means that it cannot be happening if the data is so skewed. Renee's comments should have focused on that, but they were not racist. They were seeking a solution to what I also see as a problem.

The problem I have with the way the term is thrown out in the current context, is that anytime anyone points out the history of this country we are accused of living in the past. If we say anything positive about blacks, it is racist. Just look at wolf and the AME Church.

If you intend on living in a multicultural society, be it here or elsewhere, I suggest you listen to what people are saying and ask yourself why they say what they do.

You have already failed the test with your contribution above. Numerous contributors here have provided insight from the white Bermudian perspective.

Your contribution has not even achieved that.

[island dweller on 02.10.05 at 15:10]

People like me!
People like them.

All these people comments, the politicians forgot the people.

Alex is not a racist. Renee is not a racist. They just like being around their own people. That is why it makes sense that we should go independent. "People like me" would be on an island all their own without the worry of having to deal with people that look Tony Brannon. I guess "those people" like Tony Blair, George Bush should be told.

Alex Scott does not care about white people.... Oooops scratch that, George Bush does care about black people.... Oooops, WHO cares????

island dweller

[SmokingGun on 02.10.05 at 15:23]

Jake, Renee Webb's comments were ridiculous. They were stupid and insensitive and for many people they hinted at being racist. She should have bent over backwards to clarify just what you are saying. Stating the need or desire to see more black owned businesses or female owned businesses has it's place in Bermuda's political landscape but it has to be presented in a manner that does not hint or imply in the slightest the idea of exclusion. I knew what she was trying to say but she ticked me off because she came accross as arrogant and very insensitive which in itself didn't exactly help the idea as to what she was trying to help promote.

As far as Chris' first presentation to ALIB I will admit it came accross as being a little rabid. In his younger days he was a much calmer, cool headed dude prone to hanging out in his micro studio (formerly his clothes closet) recording great songs on his wheel to wheel.

If there's one thing I'll suggest it's the PLP should reach out big time to try get some more white people involved in their programs from the inside out.

[Adjustah on 02.10.05 at 16:47]

"Alex Scott does not care about white people.... Oooops, WHO cares????"

Uh, WHITE PEOPLE?

Reverse the situation. Say Jack Sharp, or David Saul had sent an email like this...

[shipstones on 02.10.05 at 16:47]

Both sides of the race issue continue with the same rhetoric "ITS ALL YOUR FAULT!" In over simplistic terms.

Black activists usually say its all the fault of the whites and therefore they need to correct the situation.

White activists say it's only the blacks who can correct it for themselves.

The only solution blacks put forward is to vote in PLP! DID THAT SOLVE IT!

The only solution whites have is to vote out PLP! THEN WHAT YA GONNA DO CHRIS GO BACK TO PLAYING GUITAR!

No you have to get off your fat ass and do something positive. Bob Dylan sang activist songs. What good did that do!

I agree this remark by Premier is a big issue that he will need to answer. But I am hoping for the day that we will not just criticise but actually do something.

Easy to say but hard to do.

Chris you are not helping matters by your remarks in fact you will insight more people to shout back at you! You and George Bush would be great buddies!

[Big Bad Wolf ^..^ on 02.10.05 at 17:39]

Jake as always you pick an example out of context and highlight for your own narrow minded argument.I was giving examples of institutinalized racism and how it has had an impact across the Bermudian landscape.I do not see the AME church in Bermuda as a true reflection of Richard Allen's vision. His vision of the AME was more inclusive and the Bermuda AME leadership and ministers are all black.The fact that the AME church came into existense was because of the racial intolerance of white Americans.The product of all this past racisms is a cultural apartied which is being perpetuated by our Bermudian Institutions both white and black.Maybe you cannot see this but I think its crystal clear to me.

[island dweller on 02.10.05 at 20:22]

Next it will be GO BACK to where you came from!

Trinidadians are not Bermudian
Brits are not Bermudian
Indians are not Bermudian
Americans are not Bermudian
Phillipinos are not Bermudian
West Indians are not Bermudian (Oh, that was done already.. Al la The Great Glen Blakeny!)
Portugues are not Bermudian
Canadians are not Bermudian
Jamaican are not Bermudian
Irish are not Bermudian

Your kind does not belong here...Yes, we have all heard these statements. One MP had the nerve to utter them infront of the Governor and... nothing happened.

Others... Derrick Burgess had a public statement, Renee had a public statement, and now the great Alex Scott had a public statement.

"People like me or they need to go" is acceptable language in Bermuda. Face it, we are just here to serve them. (Sorry Tony Brannon, you don't have a leg to stand on)

If you were in any other jurisdiction, someone would have been sued and the government would have proactively deplored the statement.

Only in Bermuda.

island dweller

[Ethiops on 02.10.05 at 20:35]

island dweller

All those racial backgrounds you metioned could be the foundation of a great new party.

[Chris Broadhurst on 03.10.05 at 08:40]

Quite frankly, I'm surprised at the number of people who think my comments have little or no merit.

Obviously it is acceptable to you having a racist Premier.

As far as going back to play guitar - I never stopped.

[jake on 03.10.05 at 10:52]

"I knew what she was trying to say but she ticked me off because she came accross as arrogant and very insensitive which in itself didn't exactly help the idea as to what she was trying to help promote."

This is perhaps the most honest expression of what was wrong with Renee's comments, and frankly, I agree with it. Her central message (now speaking of my own opinion) was correct, but her delivery was short of the mark.

Fair enough. In making those kind of moves the PLP has to be clear headed and think of the impact on the white citizens of Bermuda, who are equally affected by Government pronouncements.

This is what I consider a level headed contribution, Chris. If you think that people on this site find it acceptable to have a Racist Premier because they disagree with the tone of your contribution, then you are missing an opportunity to learn amidst your peers.

Consider this: perhaps your contribution was not as insightful as your first thought. Perhaps it was way over the top. Perhaps you were just wrong.

Keep in mind that I, and most others on the site, agree that Alex was wrong it what he said. That being the case, why are we uncomfortable with your contribution (as a leading piece) on the the subject?

If you can honestly pose that question to yourself, well done. If not, you have as big a problem as Alex.

[Chris Broadhurst on 03.10.05 at 11:01]

Over the top - perhaps.
Wrong - absolutely not.

If you're buying their crap - I'm sorry for you.

[jake on 03.10.05 at 11:38]

If you cannot see that I am not 'buying their crap' then you might consider looking and reading again.

If I agree that Alex was wrong, how can that be?

This is what I mean about contributions. If the best response to my comments is that you are sorry for me, then perhaps you are better suited to the discussion ranks. I think we are all hoping for more from the lead post.

Please prove me wrong, though as I am interested in following on with this debate.

[SmokingGun on 03.10.05 at 13:03]

Thanks Jake, I always strive to maintain a level headed view of things.
One thing though, we need to take it further in that the minority in Bermuda includes many others, not just whites. Somehow all Bermudians and residents of the island must always try to remember that.

As far as where Chris comes from on this issue, I'd submit on his behalf that this is a bit like the last straw, the straw that broke the camel's back so to speak. After all the recent hubbub about the referendum and people not knowing what they are signing BS I think a lot of people are jumping all over this. Which they rightly should do so if in fact it was mean't as an off the cuff callous racial remark.

But I'll have to say the one thing that does bother me is that TB is different, sounds different (via email anyway) and does look different compared to most white Bermudians. Just look at the picture in the Mid Ocean. The shirt is not your average attire. If Alex Scott had written the same in refering to say Malcolm Gosling or Jim Butterfield then I would definitely say it was an intentional slur. But because it's Tony, he has a little wiggle room. And just because I say that does not in any way mean I am letting him off the hook. I think he still owes a massive apology for the referendum issue just for starters.