Moving on

When it comes to the vexed subject of race, there are many people who'll tell you that they wish we could just move on. Usually, however, those people are white. It's not a comment you hear often from the black community, and certainly not from PLP politicians.

So I was taken aback to read that on Friday evening Premier Alex Scott supposedly said,

"We need to create a climate where we can openly discuss [race] and move on."

Is it really possible that Mr. Scott wants to throw off the racial albatross around Bermuda's neck? Does he really want to find a way for us to bury the past? Does he really want to move on?

Time will tell. Nonetheless, as leader of a party that sometimes seems to want to perpetuate racial divisions for electoral gain, it's encouraging to hear Mr. Scott explicitly affirm "moving on" as his goal.

Comments

[Colada on 24.10.05 at 14:14]

Damage Control mate.....simple as that - although it comes a little bit late don't you think?

[Simon on 24.10.05 at 14:49]

My normal cynical view of anything that comes out of a politician's mouth is that these are no more than words to improve Scott's own approval rating. However, if the man follow's these words up with some real action then my respect will follow.

[Raptor on 24.10.05 at 14:52]

I would certainly go for that--good going P!

But wait, isn't this the same person who said recently that his Throne Speech would “include a major initiative to address those elements that seek to divide us” and that “Freedom of Speech is not free; it comes with both responsibility and accountability"?

I don't think he's talking about bringing Calvin Smith and Alvin Williams to task.

[silencedogood on 24.10.05 at 15:45]

I will give him the benefit of the doubt until he unveils his proposal, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I think it will be either lip service or a suggestion that is way off the mark. It would be nice if the premiere had a change of heart.

[Tony B on 24.10.05 at 16:14]

I had to come out of the woodwork on this one Limey !

I am still waiting to hear from Human Rights on what their take is on " I am sick and tired of taking crap from people who look and sound like BRANNON.

He talks about moving on ??? Well apologize to me Mr P, I am the man Alex Scott.

[Uncle Elvis on 24.10.05 at 16:56]

Yet again, another bit of spin from His Royal majesty, Alex the First.

You notice that he says NOTHING about how to go about this? No directions, just "We should do this."
It's the same thing he always does. "We have a plan."
He doesn't actually DO anything but pay lip service to the problems.

It's spin, plain and simple. And I, for one, am getting sick of it.

[SmokingGun on 24.10.05 at 17:52]

Tony B. - Check out the RG Online Poll: 78% say he should apologize for his BlackBerry Bungle. Rightly so.

The funniest thing about P's comment is that he states "We need to create a climate.....". Do I hear someone hanging a shingle outside of Alaska Hall inviting whites to be a part of the PLP?

Sad thing is many black and white people have been "creating" a climate for open discussion for years but the narrow minded few that make up the leadership of the PLP and the BIU have put their personal agendas before their own people. But hey that's just the cynic talking. If the Premier is being truly honest then I'm all for it.
Name the time and the place Mr. P and let's get it started.

[The Limey on 24.10.05 at 17:55]

I understand everyone's cynicism. However I can't think of any other time when the Premier has acknowledged that race is an issue that we need to move on from.

And why say anything now? What exactly is he spinning? The Brannon affair is essentially over.

Mind you, I don't expect anything to come of this either.

[Full Fullish on 24.10.05 at 19:34]

I think this throne speech is going to be quite actively followed. If "P" is honestly trying to do this for the right reason, or even just doing the right thing for the wrong reason, then he should get the support needed to do this. In light of recent "P"'s hijinks I am sceptical, but reseve comments both good and bad until I hear the throne speech. My personal feeling for "P" though is that it is too little to late, replace him with a strong and conscienous leader.

[Tiger Bay on 24.10.05 at 19:48]

It's simple: the UN says race is an issue, BIC says race is an issue, even that COHA thinktank says race is an issue. He wants to make an announcement so he can claim progess and tick that box off on his pre-independence checklist. "Race tensions. Tick. OK, we're ready, hoist the new flag!"

It's a cynical and empty posture. He has shown no desire to build bridges from his own inner clique, or to change the fundamentals of his own party's racial politics.

[Ethiops on 24.10.05 at 22:34]

It’s been already established here that the royal gazettes poll is bogus. I tested it myself. From one ip I was able to cast three votes. I didn’t insist to see what the exact number of votes I could enter though.
lol Tony did come out of the woodwork I had almost forgot already. Just playing, but up to now I don’t know how to see that affair.
Know what I think? I think Alex will be listening in close to us for ideas. ;) He knows it’s an issue that will have to be addressed. I think it’s a smart move announcing it, now lets just see where he goes with it.

[Tiger Bay on 25.10.05 at 08:56]

"We need to create a climate where we can openly discuss race and move on."

Think they may have missed the next line: "Although, I have to admit those white people all look the same to me. Tired of taking crap from 'em too!"

(Irony point, whatever. Hey when's that CURE diversity training?)

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 25.10.05 at 09:55]

SmokingGun,

"Do I hear someone hanging a shingle outside of Alaska Hall inviting whites to be a part of the PLP?"

Has there ever been a shingle hanging outside Alaska Hall telling whites to stay away? In the past when whites joined the PLP they were ostricised by the white community. Say what you will but whites have not joined the PLP by choice not because the PLP excludes whites.

The fact remains, the PLP was the first political party formed in Bermuda and the ONLY reason the UBP was formed was to prevent blacks from taking the government.

[Chris Broadhurst on 25.10.05 at 10:32]

The only thing Alex is interested in moving on from, is his racist comment regarding Brannon.

Disgusting in the extreme.

[sandgrownan on 25.10.05 at 10:43]

Boring boring boring. Why doesn't the fuckwit in charge and the rest of the whole useless government actually DO SOMETHING wothwhile, concrete and tangible to improve life on our island instead of a constant stream of spin, bullshit and lies. We're all sick and tired of this endless nonesense.

That feels better, now it's off my chest!

[Chris Broadhurst on 25.10.05 at 10:49]

I would recommend reading Robert Berry's letter to the editor in today's RG.

Perhaps this is the sort of behavior our Premier is condoning with his irresponsible and unaccountable actions.

He, and the entire PLP, are a disgrace.

[SmokingGun on 25.10.05 at 11:17]

"It’s been already established here that the royal gazettes poll is bogus. I tested it myself. From one ip I was able to cast three votes. I didn’t insist to see what the exact number of votes I could enter though.
lol Tony did come out of the woodwork" - Ethiops

Then I guess we know what Tony B's been up to lately. :)

[observor on 25.10.05 at 12:58]

Guilden

To be clear:

Fact "the PLP was the first political party formed in Bermuda"

Fact The Progressive Labour Party contested its first General Election just three months after its formation, in February 1963. The Party contested nine of the then thirty-six Parliamentary seats.

Fact The United Bermuda Party (UBP) was founded on August 21st, 1964 by twenty-four Members of Parliament

Opinion "the ONLY reason the UBP was formed was to prevent blacks from taking the government"

Fact In 1968 the UBP formed the first Government under Bermuda’s new Constitution and universal adult suffrage, winning 30 of the 40 seats

[loki on 25.10.05 at 13:02]

"Has there ever been a shingle hanging outside Alaska Hall telling whites to stay away?"

They don't need to have one: the PLP's consistent use of racist rhetoric, and the continual refusal of the PLP and this government to disassociate themselves from what, at best, can be described as racially insensitive remarks, speaks volumes to the white population, I assure you.

[SmokingGun on 25.10.05 at 13:13]

Guilden - It's all about "Moving on" my friend. "Creating" an environment. This is the only point. Today is a new day. The Premier has come to the table with an agenda that we are all in favour of (I assume), we must put aside the past and start anew from today. The comment is simply to give our leader a prod, a reminder, to invite others that may not look or sound like him to come visit for tea and a little discussion on how to accomplish his stated goals. To reacquaint so to speak. All very tongue in cheek.

[Paradise NOT on 25.10.05 at 14:12]

I have to agree with the comment:

The only thing Alex is interested in moving on from, is his racist comment regarding Brannon.

He is doing his best to cover his a**...

Is this a forgotten issue? I am amazed that remarks as blatantly racial as the "P"s are just blown off...

As the "leader" of the country he expresses the views of the country?

I am sure that the Throne speech will be full of yet again empty promises from "P" and his faithful legion... the PLP...

I don't see a climate ever in Bermuda to deal with racism, as in my opinion... Bermuda sees no race problem as they are the superior race...

"P" is again blowing smoke up the bottoms of Bermudians... wait and see... Will they again buy into the PLP hogwash???

This is my opinion only based on what I witness daily here in Bermuda....

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 25.10.05 at 14:13]

SmokingGun,

I agree with you but you made the comment about the PLP hanging a shingle, not me. If today is a new day, as you suggest, than your question need not be asked, for if you ask it you will get the kind of response that I offered.

[Uncle Elvis on 25.10.05 at 14:57]

"come to the table with an agenda"?

We-ellllll... not really.

More like he's SAID he's PLANNING on MAYBE coming to the table. Maybe.

As usual.

[Pint O Bass on 25.10.05 at 16:09]

I don't believe a single word Scott says, he's a bad piece of work. My sister went to the same university as his son and she told me he used to go around telling people that his old man owns Bermuda, and not in a joking way. That speaks boatloads.

[SmokingGun on 25.10.05 at 18:06]

Guilden - I will not apologize for my warped sense of humour!! :)

[BermyUniversity.com on 25.10.05 at 18:16]

Pint O Bass,

i know Scott's son and he is a very intelligent, young Bermudian man. I see you've taken he-said-she-said approach to come to your conclusion. That makes a lot of sense.

And regardless of whether he said that or not, that's another matter. But even if he did, what the hell does that have to do with Alex Scott? Where is the logic?

I do not believe in bragging, but I am also nto a fan of gossip and rumours. If you don't know Scott's son, it's not very fair to broadcast second-hand (perhaps invalid) information about him.

[Ethiops on 25.10.05 at 19:20]

Chris - He, and the entire PLP, are a disgrace.

That's what you said in your very first post. Its a shame when you can't find anything good.
It even looks "suspect". To use a in hiphop term.

SmokingGun lmao at what TB has been doing.
I for one love your warped sense of humor.:)

[jake on 25.10.05 at 19:32]

I know him as well and there is no way he said that or anything like it.

He is one of our country's only home grown pilots and a credit to both his country and his parents.

I am ashamed for you that your politics has made you hate so much that you would seek to tar a young man following his dream and doing so well. He has nothing to do with Bermuda's politics and you owe him an apology.

[Rev. Goat on 25.10.05 at 19:36]

Alex Scott has realized that his email blunder has caused quite a stir and now hopes to back pedal with his remarks (kinda like that RRH fellow, wink wink).

[loki on 25.10.05 at 19:45]

"I know him as well and there is no way he said that or anything like it.

He is one of our country's only home grown pilots and a credit to both his country and his parents.

I am ashamed for you that your politics has made you hate so much that you would seek to tar a young man following his dream and doing so well. He has nothing to do with Bermuda's politics and you owe him an apology."

At best, Pint O'Bass's comments demonstrate that Alex Scott may (and I mean MAY) have a jerk for a son. This is no reflection on Alex Scott himself, I'm sorry. And, frankly, if this guy has a commercial pilot's licence (as, I understand, is the case) we should all be giving him a slap on the back for his achievement

[Full Fullish on 25.10.05 at 21:30]

Pint O Bass -
"I don't believe a single word Scott says, he's a bad piece of work. My sister went to the same university as his son and she told me he used to go around telling people that his old man owns Bermuda, and not in a joking way. That speaks boatloads"

It speaks boatloads about you actually. While I don't care for the way Alex Scott has done things, I have no personal grudge against him or his family. Pint, you really need to compartmentalize things, if you have a legitimate beef with Alex's son, take it up with him, it bears no reflection on Alex Scott himself, nor vice versa. Let a man's merrits speak for themselves and themselves only....

[Chris Broadhurst on 26.10.05 at 11:06]

Ethiops. I need to clarify something yet again since you obviously don't get it.

"The entire PLP" does not necessarily mean every PLP supporter or member. It does mean the PLP as a party. My comment is based on the fact that they obviously condone Alex's racist comment and they make no excuse for it.

Their inaction on this is, in my opnion, worse than the comment itself.

Lastly, if there was something positive to say on this - I would say it. I'm all for credit where credit is due.

[Nicolette on 26.10.05 at 12:55]

Chris

Interesting point - my view of the PLP re Alex Scott's comment was that they DIDN'T support it at all because there was no PLP issued statement about it like we were led to believe - the letter came from Scott alone and the PLP would rightly not back his "letter" as a party given the amount of bull it contained. Also I've heard comments from PLP insiders and one other MP that this is the case. It's not like they can come out and actually criticize their own leader in the media without suffering consequences....after all the ONLY supporter of the "letter" was Bud... and we all know who he is....

[observor on 26.10.05 at 14:40]

I'm curious if the 'P' Man paid for the ad space out of his own pocket or (more likely) out of ours.

[loki on 26.10.05 at 14:58]

It's interesting that it's OK to label corporate entities as being institutionally racist against blacks, but the moment whites attack the PLP for being institutionally racist (which it quite obviously is), which is the point Chris was making, I think, they get attacked. I would doubt every shareholder in, say, WalMart, is a racist, but it doesn't mean that WalMart is incapable of being institutionally racist. When PLP MPs and party members start speaking out against the party's open and repeated bigotry, then we might start reassessing that view. Until then: PLP = racist organization.

[Chris Broadhurst on 26.10.05 at 14:58]

Nicolette,

Ah yes. But the Party PR guy (Scott Simmons) & Walter Rabain went on TV and said that the entire party was "behind their leader".

That sounds to me as if the party line is that they support him.

As I said, they are a disgrace.

[Nicolette on 26.10.05 at 18:05]

Chris

Good point but they kind of hid the specifics of their support behind his Throne Speech initiatives...