Gestures of acknowledgement

I’m becoming increasingly frustrated with Bermuda’s obsession with race. A letter from Eva Hodgson in Friday’s Mid Ocean News helped me understand why.

“Until there is less of a racial divide in our community other outstanding social issues cannot be addressed in a united fashion,” she said. Her prescription for reducing this racial divide? “Acknowledgment”.

“There are still too many black people who carry too many painful scars from the past that need to be acknowledged,” said Dr. Hodgson. “Until the white community can make some gesture of acknowledgement, the black community will continue to think in terms of race no matter what the PLP does.”

I have two problems with this. First, what kind of gesture is she looking for? Dr. Hodgson offers no ideas, instead suggesting that whites should discuss the issue amongst themselves. Unfortunately, most whites care about those scars like they care about genocide in Kosovo or famine in Ethiopia: they consider them a terrible but abstract thing that has no bearing on their daily lives. People care about their families, their friends and their pet goldfish. They don't care deeply about things to which they cannot relate.

Second, Dr. Hodgson seems to believe in the existence of a motive white community capable of making such a gesture. Perhaps she ascribes such unity to whites because of the unity that has historically existed among blacks. However, the white community is much more diffuse. We lack the common shared experience of oppression that helped to bind the black community. We don’t think of each other as brothers and sisters. So who would need to participate in any gestures of acknowledgement to make them credible and sufficient?

“There must be at least a few whites who bothered to go to hear Tim Wise who do not want to see it end there,” said Dr. Hodgson. I am one of those whites. Much of what Tim had to say resonated with me, and made me want to help to eliminate the racial divide. But since his talk, I’ve become increasingly disillusioned.

I’m slowly realising that many blacks believe that the best way to achieve equality of the races is to maintain the unity that served them so well during the segregation era. That belief was evident at Tim Wise’s second talk, when a black audience member stood up and bemoaned the fact that the black community is not as united as it once was. It’s evident in Dr. Hodgson’s letter when she says that the black community is too divided to make any further progress in improving racial equality. It’s evident in the way that blacks who are perceived to have betrayed that unity are attacked by blacks who pride themselves on their loyalty to the cause of equality. It’s the belief that underlies the comments of “house niggers”, “maidservants of their masters” and “suntans”.

This belief is the biggest obstacle to racial harmony in Bermuda today. Black unity is not the goal, integration is. Black unity was a useful tool for ending segregation, but it’s the antithesis of integration. Whites and blacks will never mix while the cohesion within the races is stronger than that between them.

The war between the races is over. Now there is a civil war between those blacks who want to avail themselves of the spoils of victory, those who want to extract reparations from the vanquished, and those who think the war is still on.

It’s not surprising that many whites have little desire to get involved.

Comments

[Raptor on 04.01.06 at 13:50]

The reason the only statue of a black man is of Johnny Barnes is because he’s cheerful and safe. He's not asking for an apology for slavery and all that. The statue was paid for by whites, and made by a white man. At least it’s not (as Uncle Elvis said) “a bunch of white kids playing in the pond at City Hall,” so maybe it’s a very small step for some people in some sort of right direction. Maybe not.

[Combat Banker on 04.01.06 at 13:56]

Ethiops, didn't the Queen invite the senior members of three Rastafarian 'Houses' in Jamaica to meet with her in 2002? They were asking for money so they could resettle in Ethiopia if I remember...

Completely different from the situation here, as the average Afro-Bermudian's 'Spiritual Homeland' is likely right here in Bermuda now, and also if I recall the Queen is still 'Getting Back to Them' on that.... but even though they are likely to never get any money, I think it was important as it showed that the Crown and British Government (don't fool yourself into thinking Government was not scripting her every move) are at least open to dialogue.

I think if the idea of an 'Apology' were to be floated by the British Government, we may well be surprised by the response.

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 14:08]

"I have no illusions of racism getting any better.
Blacks don’t care enough to explain
to whites that seem to have forgotten
the reason why an apology for something as horrific as slavery
is worth mentioning.

I mean when you can’t get off step one
who the fuck are you kidding really.

How much in the know does one have to be
to see that the past has shaped and favoured
a particular people over others.

The voice of apology would have to come
from high to be heard and felt.
If you ask me it shouldn’t be the present government to do it either.

Imo it would have to come from the crown
to have any effect.
The likely hood of that happening though
is something I wouldn’t bet money on.
Many today couldn’t give two shits about the past
and are quick to say it has nothing to do with them.
What can you say to that? Not much I’d think!

So off goes resentment to continue festering
in its dark secret abyss,
tucked away safe and sound within our magic mind!
Waiting for the day it can be screamed into the physical world
and released from the shame based ideals that hold it firmly in place.

Or for the day it can turn into vengeance
and strike out and make matters worst
for a glimpse of instant gratification."

Ethiops - your post has such poetry to it. I felt it would be better served to break it down so. You speak of resentment and vengeance but is it for the act of slavery or the lack of an apology?

You have no illusions of racism getting better and yet you speak of a dark secret abyss and magic minds. Is racism only white on black and non-other?

I was fortunate enough to get an education all the way through University. I studied history, sociolgy, geography, literature amongst gads of other things. I learned a great deal about mankind from both biblical books to modern day science books. I learned a lot about the slavery of many peoples, black, whites and many in between. From both years gone by to what is still happening today.

I sincerely feel they there are many people who think just like you. And because of that an apology will never be enough. And the truth is it really shouldn't be. What we really need is an acknowledgement from all parties that what happened was wrong and that the history of it must be kept for all our future generations to study and learn from. And you Ethiops must seek comfort in accepting and knowing that the vast majority of people in the world do today recognize and aknowledge the suffering of your fore-fathers and past generations from the periods of slavery. To let it fester is just an excuse to prevent progress.

[Uncle Elvis on 04.01.06 at 14:23]

I agree, 'Banker.

Ethiops, if the Governor, as the representative of the Queen, were to offer an official apology, would that be considered ok?
I'm just trying to get things clear.

[Ethiops on 04.01.06 at 14:27]

And you SmokingGun need to stop assuming you know me. If you would have asked I would have gladly told you I can't afford a side in this war and for this reason have long got over it.
No where in my post did I say that I myself have resentment. Also I only shared on the some of the dynamics of resentment while making it very clear that an apology that would have any effect imo would come from the crown.
So happy as I am for your finding poetry in my words I’ll ask that you try absorb the essence of it before pointing fingers at me and telling me what to do. ;)

[Rossini on 04.01.06 at 14:29]

Raptor confirms Col. Burch's point about why white people have a problem with him. White people love the black male image of a Johnny Barnes not only because he's "safe and cheerful" but he poses no threat to their world. If every black man was just happy to wave and smile think of how much racial harmony we would have. Its the black man who dares to assert himself beyond those boundaries that incurs the ire of whites and the truth be told of some blacks.Why is it safe to attack the Bank of Bermuda now ? Because there's a black man at the helm. Recent history in the form of Sir John Swan's infamous and mind-numbing comment on leaving office "...they (the Front Street Boys) didn't even invite me down for tea and cookies" and The Hon. C.V. "Jim" Woolridge's outburst "...these white boys don't mind a black man in charge as long as they can tell him what to do" serve to show us that even in the minds of those who supposedly have left the issue of race behind and have been allowed to move with ease in white circles that it is real even for them.

[Ethiops on 04.01.06 at 14:29]

Uncle I doubt that the crime rate would drop
but, I'm sure many would be impressed at such an act.

[Blanc Mange on 04.01.06 at 14:42]

Rossini,

Whites have a problem with Burch because he has demonstrated beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is racist and divisive. Further, he goes unchallenged by the PLP - so they obviously condone his actions. Everyone of any colour should be outraged at this man.

Saying that we don't mind Barnes because he is safe is just stupid. The man has become a national hero because he waves at traffic! In the real world, wierd would not begin to describe this.

[Ethiops on 04.01.06 at 14:44]

Combat Banker
Interestingly I’m sure they’re open to dialogue as holders of the keys to the country
they would have to be. But moving from dialogue to getting an apology out of
them is two different things. It wouldn’t surprise me either way to be honest I feel the crown is civilized enough to do such an act and at the same time I could see the crown losing no sleep over it.

[sandgrownan on 04.01.06 at 14:49]

At lot of food for thought here, but Rossini, dare I suggest you are displaying the exact attitude that makes "whitey" think...fuck it.

"Why is it safe to attack the Bank of Bermuda now ? Because there's a black man at the helm"

What an utterly retarded and idiotic statement. People are attacking the BoB because it's not the BoB anymore, rather the branch office of a global banking behemoth that doesn't give a toss about local issues.

It's exactly this attitude, turning every issue intop one of race, that will prolong the daily race crap we all have to deal with.

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 15:05]

But alas Ethiops I do not assume I know you at all. In fact I only speak to you as a writer of what I see as an interesting volume of words that does give insight into what some people must actually believe. Otherwise you would not have noticed or felt it and therefore written about it.

It is best that you do not take sides in this so called war, if that is what you think it is. The more people like yourself who seek middle ground the better. And better still is the fact that you might wish to show people there actually is a middle ground after all.

I'm sorry if it came across as pointing a finger at you or telling you what to do. It was not mean't to be that at all. It is simply a request of all people who might believe the way you write about that they acknowledge others do actually try to understand and learn from both history and open dialogue much like this to create a better society for all of us and our future generations.

I will hope that as the owner of a thoughtful piece of writing you have given from a learned heart with an open mind and found a place that can accept us all of which maybe you will write about at a future time.

And I am very serious about the poetic flow of your words....

[Raptor on 04.01.06 at 15:08]

Rossini: Actually, I did not “confirm Col. Burch’s point about why white people have a problem with him.”

I have a problem with Col. Burch for reasons other than his colour or that “he dares to assert himself.” I don’t have a problem with a black man “daring to assert” himself at all. I expect an intelligent, vital black man to assert himself, like anybody else. It’s whether or not Burch is racist and destructive to the unity and positive leadership we need to build this multi-cultural society that bothers me so much. That has nothing to do with his colour. He lets us down.

That’s right, Johnny Barnes is safe, cheerful, and non-threatening. Predictable.

If I were in the position of creating public sculpture his is not what I would have chosen. Public sculpture can be used effectively to show important ideas—how about one on strength and unity that would represent all Bermudians? It certainly would not be a statue of Johnny Barnes, who may be a very pleasant person and bring joy to some people in the morning, (but I also don’t get why he’s a hero for waving at traffic). It would certainly not be of only-white-children gracing a public building. Sir George Somers? He settled the island, so he gets a statue, and we sort of know what he looked like, unlike Juan de Bermudez. Gina Swainson? Sure; she's special. (Her statue is not outdoors in public though).

I also think we don’t need to start to erecting statues of political leaders all over the place—white or black. I find them really limiting.

[Blanc Mange on 04.01.06 at 15:12]

Many of you will note that I have had to disguise my identity. This is because when a black man stands up for something, he is seen as seeking equality. When a white man stands up for anything he is seen as a racist.

The real key to racial harmony is for ALL to treat others as they would like to be treated themselves.

It is Everybody's problem - not just the white man's. It will take an effort from everyone - not just the white man.

[Blanc Mange on 04.01.06 at 15:25]

Sandgrownman hit the nail on the head when he wrote, "Rossini, dare I suggest you are displaying the exact attitude that makes "whitey" think...fuck it".

As a white Bermudian of 38 years, I came from nothing. No family money, no private schooling and no overseas education. Yes, I had the priviledge of being white, but I never had the excuse of being black. I was expected to succeed and had no excuse not to.

I got everything I have because I worked for it and I get pissed at people who think whites like me were handed everything and never actually had to work fot it.

[Ethiops on 04.01.06 at 15:31]

Thanks SmokingGun I guess I read into what you were saying a bit too fast. Nothing like clarity to get us back on track! I too have read a good bit even though I was kicked out of three high schools and university lol. I would love to write something here but, to be honest among all you damn good writers it’s a bit frightening to say the least.

[44-40 on 04.01.06 at 15:40]

Ethiops your poetry is both original and good. Unfortunately those parts that are original are not good and those parts that are good are not original.

[Rossini on 04.01.06 at 15:42]

Caucasian brethren, let me help you. Unlike Dr. Hodgson I don't want anything from "whitey"; least of all his understanding, apology or anything else drawn from the well of appeasment.People of Dr. Hodgson's generation are transfixed by the need to have themselves validated by white acceptance. I don't want anything from white people except what I demand from black people: a fair chance to earn respect, to then be respected or not and a fair shake in my own country. Race polarises this community because the generation of black politicians currently in control are founded on a history of having everything they do validated by white people. Further, the white politicians are empowered by a group who believe they should still validate whatever a government does. How else could you explain Michael Dunkley's ridiculous assertion on VSB news this morning that an increase in competition in the supply of electricity "will see our costs as consumers increase". I think Digicel, Southwest and a few others might disagree.

I would be interested in the results of a poll of white people on the question "Who of the current PLP mps would you prefer as leader ?" Without naming any of them I can all but guarantee that the choice will be the least outspoken, unthreatening, "nice" person there is.

As for the Bank of Bermuda any defence of them pre HSBC is as laughable as one since their aquisition.That Bank's lending practices (along with the others) accounts for the inability of most young Bermudians to break into the housing market as first time owners. Those practices continue and yet all we as a community can attack is the height of a building.

So maybe Dr. Hodgson and her demographic need something from the white community; those of us under the age of 40 do not. We need no gestures, no apologies, no reparations nothing like that.We're not begging for anything, we're just merrily going on our way, quietly waiting for her generation to relinquish the stage in favour of some folks who are guided by what is right and who are not afraid to do it and will not ask permission to do so.

[Uncle Elvis on 04.01.06 at 15:46]

"Why is it safe to attack the Bank of Bermuda now ? Because there's a black man at the helm."

Wait, WHAT? Come on... you don't think that's what it is, do you? Two changes at the bank, one being the promotion of a black man, the other is that it's taken over by a multinational corporation, a fat cat, a "Big Machine" and you think the first one is why people bitch and moan?
I've met Mr. Perinchief... I like him. I congratulated him and shook his hand and was honest and serious about it.

Wait... is there really MORE bitching about the bank than there was before?

Sorry, amigo, that one doesn't fly...

"Raptor confirms Col. Burch's point about why white people have a problem with him..."

Sorry, I'm gonna have to say no to this one, too.
Me, I have a problem with Col. Burch because he's negative, rude, uncouth and surly. He's displayed racist tendencies on several occasions and is overly aggressive and militant about the "It's our turn" way of thinking. THIS is why I have a problem with him.

"If every black man was just happy to wave and smile think of how much racial harmony we would have."

How about if EVERYONE was just happy to wave and smile? If everyone was more like Mr. Barnes and went out of their way to try to make a couple of people's day a little brighter, if they smiled and took people at face value, like Mr. Barnes does, how much racial harmony would we have?
I refuse to deride the man for what he does and what he was honoured for. He IS the spirit of Bermuda, the way we all look back on and wish we had back. Friendliness, hospitality and a genuine wish to make other people happy. I'm not saying the past was all hunky-dory and happy-clappy, but THIS aspect, this point of pride, is something we should aspire to.

[Combat Banker on 04.01.06 at 15:49]

Ethiops... Shakespeare could not get into University, and is believed to have been a poor student in Grammar School. In fact it is because of this, that it is thought that he was such a different, prolific, and inspiring writer.

Do not discount yourself.

[Combat Banker on 04.01.06 at 15:54]

Uncle: Butterfield. His name is Phil Butterfield. Perinchiefs are good people, but not in charge of the Bank at this time.

[sandgrownan on 04.01.06 at 15:59]

Hey Rossini, you're the one who mentioned the skin colour of the man at the helm, not me.

So what's your point? What's your definition of what's right?

As for Burch, white folks don't like him because he's offensive, not because he's black. And that's the whole rub about this thread. Any criticism made by whitey of anything is automatically viewed from a perspective of race. That's why when whitey reads comments such as Rossini's he says again "fuck it."

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 16:01]

Uncle: Butterfield. His name is Phil Butterfield....

So that explains why Uncle Elvis had the house foreclosed on...... ;)

[Ethiops on 04.01.06 at 16:05]

44-40
I'll take that as a compliment as poetry wasn't the desired effect.

Why people need to belittle Dr. Hodgson's experience is beyond me. And who’s to say that she isn't in touch with some of the new generation esp. when almost everything is handed down through generations why would we expect unaddressed resentments to just vanish. Resentments only grow and become more embedded when given time and space to do so.

[Chris Broadhurst on 04.01.06 at 16:12]

"That Bank's lending practices accounts for the inability of most young Bermudians to break into the housing market as first time owners".

This is simply not true. The Bank's lending policies are more relaxed now than ever before. The inability of young people being able to break into the housing market is largely due to the high price of real estate.

As an example, when I bought a house in 1989, the Bank would not lend more than 70% of the value, and would not go more than 15 years. This was the standard practice.

Now they will do up to 90% over 30 years. Do the math. You cannot blame this one on the bank.

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 16:20]

People are upset with the Bank of Bermuda because of a host of things and the fact that the head of the intitution is a black person means squat. It is because he is a Bermudian who seems to cow-tail to some of HSBC's most idiotic and ridiculous requirements.

Deliberately flouting the rules regarding building Triminghams.
Using up valueable retail space for dead banking space.
Choosing to build over Triminghams in the first place.
Keeping people in the dark as to their real intentions.
Ignoring peoples concerns of country before business.
Not preserving our heritage by putting it's self interest first by
Getting rid of the parish emblems portraits.

The new Bank of Bermuda is ducking it's obligations as set forth when being allowed to be purcahsed by HSBC. And when I say people are upset it means just that. Not just black or white. Bermudian People.

[sandgrownan on 04.01.06 at 16:30]

Hear Hear SmokingGun. Exactly. Nothing whatsoever to do with race.

[Rossini on 04.01.06 at 16:35]

Smoking Gun, I hate to break it to you but those emblems and portraits, along with Triminghams are your heritage not mine. Let me be clear, that its your heritage is fine with me but don't expect for me to get riled up over those tings. I don't identify with them as they represent most of what was wrong with this country but which the white community chooses to celebrate.

Chris B., I hear you and don't want to suggest that the Bank is in it alone.....but add to the outrageous prices of houses, the fact that one's mortgage payments never even dent the principal....its a perfect storm from the homeowner's perspective.

Sand....your attitude and that of those who share it is just fine by me....for your own peace of mind you need to accept that you can never understand what is to be black and what goes with that.....just like I can never know what it feels like to be white....

Ethiops....check out Dr. Hodgson's history first before you spring to her defence. Listen carefully to her refrain and you will note that its constant theme is about acceptance and mostly of her by white people.

To quote Margaret Thatcher at her last appearance in Parliament as PM "...I'm enjoying this !!!"

[Uncle Elvis on 04.01.06 at 16:36]

DOH! My bad... I was typing Butterfield in my head. Someone mentioned Phil Perenchief about 10 minutes earlier...

Brain. Not. Working. Need. Sleep.

[Tiger Bay on 04.01.06 at 16:44]

"Smoking Gun, I hate to break it to you but those emblems and portraits, along with Triminghams are your heritage not mine."

Rossini - You distain the Bank of Bermuda and Triminghams as symbols of white heritage and are happy to see them go. But that's not all they were: they were Bermudian owned businesses that retained capital here and were inextricably linked to the community.

Their loss was a major loss to Bermuda as a sustainable community.

[Combat Banker on 04.01.06 at 16:44]

Rossini,

Hold on... I'm sorry, but help me out here (really) what makes the Parish Crest only a part of White Bermudians' heritage?

[Raptor on 04.01.06 at 16:47]

Upcoming in the NY Times’ January 8th edition is “Being and Blackness,” Prof. Orlando Patterson’s very interesting reviews of:

We Who Are Dark: The Philosophical Foundations of Black Solidarity, by Tommie Shelby, (Belknap/Harvard Univ. Pr.), and

Creating Black Americans: African-American History and Its Meanings, 1619 to the Present, by Nell Irvin Painter, (Oxford Univ. Pr.).

Prof. Patterson, the reviewer, is the John Cowles professor of sociology at Harvard and author of “The Ordeal of Integration” and “Rituals of Blood: Consequences of Slavery in Two American Centuries.”

[sandgrownan on 04.01.06 at 16:48]

Rossini, educate me because I'm all ears.

Trust me I could understand, but it's just that every time I try to understand, be conciliatory, friendly, treat my fellow man as I wish to be treated etc etc...it gets thrown back in my face.

Tell me why and then perhaps I'll make a better effort. And what about you? Have you decided "the way forward", you've yet to answer my question about "what's right."

I see a number of really good, constructive points by many posters in this thread, the best response yet, I think. What do you think?

[Chris Broadhurst on 04.01.06 at 16:48]

Rossini,

When granting a mortgage, the Bank is merely conducting a financial transaction. They really have no influence on the price of property in question, and the customer can choose to not accept the loan.

It is not the Bank's fault if the payments don't reduce the mortgage as it depands entirely on what the purchaser decides he can pay and what the Bank will accept. Interest only loans are used the world over. Check out Ditech.

Look further to find the reason for high prices - like lack of supply, and high demand.

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 16:49]

Well Rossini I am glad to hear it's just the emblems and portraits that are the issue....

Regarding Johnny Barnes.

I always believed his statue was erected as a symbol of Bermudian's reknowned friendliness to it's visitors. He may be a black person but I see a little bit of myself in his reflection.

[Tiger Bay on 04.01.06 at 16:56]

I always believed the statue was erected because Desmond Fountain wanted to make one of Johnny Barnes and pursued it as a project. He is also responsible for the Sir George in St George.

So are you saying we need more statues of angry young men? ;)

[Ethiops on 04.01.06 at 17:07]

Point taken Combat Banker

Rossini I can’t help but think it’s thanks to people like Dr. H and many others that pushed for acceptance that we are where we are today to some degree. Don’t you think? Ok so maybe you spotted a constant theme that didn’t strike your cord. Is that grounds to refuse the whole of what she offers as food for thought?

Bermuda = Coexistence of cultures in desperate need of finding a way to properly exploit and celebrate their differences, that they may harness the energy and market it for the good of their economy. The problem is that the problem is real, and goes beyond chat forums and political speeches.

[Raptor on 04.01.06 at 17:17]

Johnny Barnes is a cheerful person who brings joy to many Bermudians. If the statue of him were one among many pieces of public art, including statues of individuals, that would be one thing--it would be a very pleasant add-on. What is significant here is that it's virtually the first public statue of a black person on the island--and that choice likely says one thing to many white people and another to many black people--and predictably so. Thus, it is not a unifying piece, and what it says about being chosen as a subject by white people and produced by a white artist stands out more, as it exists as a certain kind of choice. There is something to be said for "firsts." This first could have made another kind of statement. I just believe this was a missed opportunity. I appreciate the idea of having a welcoming Bermudian representation at the entrance to the capital city, but I also believe that the choice is otherwise loaded.

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 17:31]

Raptor - with all due respect, we are all damned if we do and damned if we don't. Johnny Barnes is just a starting point. I seriously do not think anyone should read into it anymore than to say someone woke up one day and said "You know something, we need a statue that our visitors can enjoy and our locals will get a kick out of." The fact that we have very few statues of anybody is a testamount to two things. One, no-one's really put a whole lot thought to it and two, we have a serious lack of artistic vitality. And that in my mind is what needs to addressed.

We need to think about who's done what for Bermuda and create interesting art pieces honoring them for everyone to enjoy. Maybe they don't even have to be of people. How about a few pigs? Actually that might cover a few people I guess....

[Rossini on 04.01.06 at 17:34]

I don't think the Committee that decided the parish crests included a cross section of the parish's residents....to put it mildly. Folks, no amount of carping about pictures of men who espoused the ideals one former Chairman of the Bank who said in his political life.."They (black children) need different schools...they can't learn like us..." will make me or most black people identify or warm to their retention. This is the kind of reality which although there for all the world to see seems never to be accepted.

The way forward friends is for each side to stop being shocked by the other. For people to react to an "its our turn" philosophy on the part of Col. Burch is naiviete at its highest. What else do you expect for him or his government to be about ? When the last government was in power it was their turn and depending on your view of history its been their turn for the last 400 years. They awarded contracts to their friends, they appointed their people to Boards, they passed laws beneficial to the people they felt they most represented. None of that is wrong, that's politics. To suggest that now the PLP has to be so magnanimous in its victories as to not right those wrongs is to ignore the nature of our political system. The United States and many other sophisticated democracies recognise this fact and devote their energies when not in power to getting back there to effect their policies and yes, empowering their supporters.

Look back at the recent statements on law and order by Michael Dunkley in his current role as Shadow Minister of Home Affairs. In all his attacks he never once called the former Commissioner of Police by name nor did he direct any criticism at him. That level of courtesy as between two white sons of privilege is fine by me, I expect nothing less.....stop being shocked by this kind of thing

So, if the PLP enjoys predominantly black support, based on the foregoing I think its safe to say that black people (who happen to be the majority in this country contrary to popular belief) will enjoy the majority of the benefits of a PLP government. If the PLP doesn't help its people who will ?

Someone will now say "but I thought a government was supposed to govern for everyone?" yeah...in the perfect world but in the imperfect world a government governs for the majority.....

Welcome to Bermuda.

[sandgrownan on 04.01.06 at 17:36]

I'm not shocked, just dissapointed.

[SarahT on 04.01.06 at 17:43]

Good grief. Maybe this is just another sign of the generation gap, but before reading this post I had never in my life even thought for a second about there being any significance to Johnny Barnes being a black man and having a statue erected of him. He's a BERMUDIAN icon, that's what's important. Duh he should have a statue erected of him. Must even the Johnny Barnes statue become defined as a part of the race issue? He loves everyone, let's all just follow his example and get on with it!

[Combat Banker on 04.01.06 at 17:45]

Rossini the Portraits of old dead farts I agree that I could care less about.

But you seem to be misinformed about Parish Crests. There was no 'Committee'. These were the crests of the families of the original investors in the Bermuda Company (in 1612). At the time they were 'chosen', *no* people could be canvased or even represented, because the island was not even populated.

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 17:53]

So in other words Phillip Butterfield is in fact purposely ridding the bank of Bermuda of all it's "white" heritage and will from now on only surround himself with people of colour and that whole Triminghams thing is just a smoke screen. And from now on we must please refer to the other ugly building as a "black elephant". It's a new world order and if the PLP stays in power then for the next 400 years we must accept that's the way it will be.

Well I know it's all a little sarcastic but the fact is that today we live in the day of the internet and the nuclear bomb and things happen far to quickly for us to sit back and think about hoping we'll all be safe and sound. Sorry, but accountability is the word of the day and our future depends on us getting it right for all as we move forward. This isn't about race anymore. This is about income level and the ability to get a decent education, make a decent living, being able to afford a decent home to raise a family in and being given a fair chance to be successful enough to leave something for our kids.

[Tiger Bay on 04.01.06 at 17:55]

I suspect that Rossini's perspective may also explain why Government did so little to highlight Bermuda's 500 year anniversary in 2005. I think this was a mistake on several fronts as 1) locally it would have been a vehicle to emphasize the facets that unify our community and 2) internationally it would have been a strong marketing point for tourism and business.

Instead, we got some stamps, some flabby pop and sizzle, and a business book outsourced to a UK publisher. Yippee.

[Combat Banker on 04.01.06 at 18:00]

Here is a link about the history of the naming of each of the Parishes for those interested, with the aforementioned crests of each family.

http://www.bermuda-online.org/bermudaparishes.htm

Rossini, to play my own devil's advocate here, you could of course argue that since they are named after dead white guys (or even girls occasionally) it is not part of Black Bermuda's heritage. I would disagree with that though, as that arguement taken to its logical conclusion would mean that we should also discount calling each Parish "Southampton", "st. Georges", etc etc. In fact, let's not even call the Island Bermuda, as Juan de Bermudez was a dead white guy as well.

I exagerate to make my point, but at what level does it become "White" Bermudian heritage, and not just Bermudian?

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 18:17]

When the Mings, Inghams, et. al. decide their names mean nothing to to the world.....

[Uncle Elvis on 04.01.06 at 19:29]

"So, if the PLP enjoys predominantly black support, based on the foregoing I think its safe to say that black people will enjoy the majority of the benefits of a PLP government. If the PLP doesn't help its people who will ?"

When is this going to start happening? Just curious. When exactly is the PLP going to start taking care of anyone but themselves?

Just asking...

"(who happen to be the majority in this country contrary to popular belief)

Wait... popular belief is that black folks are the minority? Really? First I've heard of this.

"For people to react to an "its our turn" philosophy on the part of Col. Burch is naiviete at its highest"
Naive, maybe, but I don't think it's too much to ask... no, demand that a Government that decries racism and inequality put their money where there mouth is and actually, oh, I don't know... DO something about equality.
So we're not supposed to react to these statements? We should just accept that our Government only cares about the people that voted for them? Accept that "The Peoples Government" doesn't actually give a shit about the people, only their cronies?
Bullshit. I call bullshit on that.

It is NOT to much to ask that a Government try to take care of everyone.
Just 'cuz it happens in the States doesn't make it right.

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 20:17]

Uncle Elvis hard to believe but some white people voted for the PLP.
Wonder if they ever got anything in return...... Oh yes one of them got the Hotel School and few utilty bills paid for. Other than that?

Look the point is one could dig deep enough and come up with all sorts of things that show we continue to look out for each other when it best suits us. But the reality is we need to start looking out for each other so that it best suits us one and all.

I have a friend who beats up on his father for how he treated his mother and family years and years ago. Claims he wasn't a good father because he abandoned the family by meeting a younger woman and leaving to marry her. No matter how many times his dad tried to explain, seek forgiveness and reconcile with him he kept harping on about the past and eventually his father just stopped trying. Now he see's it as his father not thinking it important enough to deal with and refuses to acknowledge his existence. His father even called me to seek help in getting through.

Maybe this is how many whites feel about apologies and reconciliation. If it keeps getting stuck in the past they just stop trying and no-one ends up satisfied with the outcome.

[Tim Taylor on 04.01.06 at 21:16]

You guys know I love to throw a spanner in the works, and I can't resist this time, especially since Uncle mentioned the National Geographic project.
It's already been done.
A short while back, scientists tracked a particular strand of DNA that was transmitted only by females, and which mutated very, very slowly.
What this means is they were able to track the spread of human beings backward through time.
I'll spare you the technicalities, but the conclusion was (and Ethiops is never, ever going to let me forget this), that the original species which lead directly to modern humans origiated in or around the area we now know as Ethiopia. You wouldn't mistake them for your buddies (unless you had just been to a particularly good Happy Hour) but they were definitely human.
And Black.
Not that they looked much like modern Africans, since they, like modern Northern Europeans, are an evolutionary adaption to their environmental niche, but they sure as hell weren't white. Which is what led to the divide on the conclusions of the study. European scientists generally had no problem with the conclusions, whilst U.S, scientists did. It later transpired that the U.S. community was uncomfortable with proof that the original human looked, well, Black. They preferred the parallel evolution theory, which the genetic study completely undermined.
Just something for those people who think we are different because we LOOK different.
I'll give you that culture, politics and history may divide us - but remember that as far as your genes are concerned, you are totally, utterly and provably brothers and sisters. And as the kicker, a friend of mine who you would normally qualify as a redneck white Bermudian, and who aquainted me with this study, put himself down as "Black" on his CURE form, because he maintained we were all, ultimately, descended from African forebears.

[SmokingGun on 04.01.06 at 21:27]

Good. Glad to get that sorted out. From now on I'm black and the rest of you are just colour blind. Now let's go have a Heineken, you know, the one in the blue bottle.