Rolfe Commissiong's UBP

In an Opinion piece in today's Royal Gazette, Rolfe Commissiong criticises white Bermudians for voting almost exclusively for the UBP while praising black Bermudians for their willingness to "cross the political colour line". The implication is that Bermuda's blacks are an enlightened group, voting according to issues, whereas whites are still bound by racial loyalty.

I don't dispute his suggestion that the proportion of whites who vote for the UBP is significantly higher than the proportion of blacks who vote for the PLP. However I have a different interpretation of this. Could it be that the UBP attracts between 20 and 30% of the black vote (according to Mr. Commissiong) because those blacks do not perceive it as hostile to their interests? Conversely, could it be that the PLP can only scape together 3 to 5% of the white vote (again, according to Mr. Commissiong) because the majority of whites do consider the PLP to be hostile to them?

In other words, the proportion of whites who are turned off by the PLP is higher than the proportion of blacks who are turned off by the UBP. Doesn't this reflect more positively on the UBP than on the PLP?

Mr. Commissiong also contends that the UBP only selected Wayne Furbert as its new leader because it wanted a black man at the helm. He may be right. However the only evidence he offers to support this opinion is the observation that the UBP has never won an election with a white leader for over 25 years. But if that's the case, why would the UBP have elected Grant Gibbons as leader in the first place? And why didn't they replace him with a black leader before the 2003 election?

Comments

[tilti on 12.04.06 at 14:13]

I found today's piece incredibly condescending for the manner in which Rolf gave his opinions without evidence as gospel and for his assumption that the next election would be a runaway victory for the PLP regardless of the UBP's intentions.

I think this political elitism is largely responsible for the inefficiency of this government. Their sense that they don't even have to do anything to win was downright insulting.

[silencedogood on 12.04.06 at 14:14]

Common sense stuff, but always good to raise.

Perhaps Mr. Commissioning hasn't heard about the "House N*gger" or hasn't considered the many efforts by this government to either promote people who "look like me" to the exclusion of others and its slights against people who do not "look and sound like" the current government.

If a government's leadership is hostile to all races but their own and hostile to a large proportion of its own race because they may not agree with its policies it shouldn't be surprised if those groups support the opposition--even if they felt it had nothing else to offer.

[ken on 12.04.06 at 14:22]

I think that part of the reason the UBP attracts more blacks than the PLP attracts whites is due to ever since integration blacks have always wanted acceptance in white organizations. Whites have hardly ever attended or joined predominantly black groups. So this is not just a PLP/UBP thing, but a societal issue. Whites refused to attend Berkeley when Berkeley & Warwick Academy were the 2 academic institutions, yet blacks flocked to Warwick Academy, and the other private institutions. Berkeley would have school fairs and all of black bermuda would attend, but not white Bermuda. However at an MSA fair, all races would be present.
Historically blacks in Bermuda have always looked for this acceptance and validation from whites, and joining the UBP gives some that validation. This is by no means saying that this may be the only reason...but I believe it to be part of the reason.

[Sleepy on 12.04.06 at 14:32]

Commissiong is a pin-head not even worth listening to. Until he apologises for his bank robbery past, and that doesn't include trying to portray it as an act of political protest as he recently did in the Mid Ocean News, he has zero credibility.

[silencedogood on 12.04.06 at 14:37]

Oh yes,

I love how he says that the UBP asking that both Gibbons and Furbert not be judged on skin color is somehow inconsistent.

Earth to Rolfe...Gibbons, despite being an intelligent man, had no charisma. Furber, also an intelligent man, does. Charisma counts in politics.

Writing this article was obviously a no brainer for him.

[OnDeWata __/)__ on 12.04.06 at 15:43]

Well now, we all know Rolfe is a bit of a sh**-stirrer in the first place. Add to that his own biggest fan (himself) egging him on and he tends to get a little carried away.
He used to frighten me with his race-oriented rhetoric...that is until I realized he simply has a big mouth!

ken - your point is taken, but I would hesitate to bring any kind of 'acceptance seeking' reasons into black Bermudians' motivations for choosing political affiliation. There are too many intelligent blacks who have always chosen parties based on a solid belief in their representation - white or black.

A twist on your organizational point: Many white organizations have made a point of blowing their own horns about black membership, to show their race-conscious attempts. Black organization/school/group will rarely do the same thing because they - quite rightly - shouldn't have to.

[Ali on 12.04.06 at 16:15]

I recently attended the celebration evening that the UBP had at Fairmont. It was encouraging to see a very mixed crowd enjoying entertainment by local artists of varying race, age and gender. So much for Rolfe's notion that the UBP is a white party. The PLP cannot attract white people to it's ranks because some of their leadership have a race problem, perpetuated also by the drivel from the likes of Rolfe, Alvin, Eva Calvin et al.

[sandgrownan on 12.04.06 at 16:27]

Rolfe's an idiot. It's important to discuss how to get the races to cross the political divide to get them to focus on issues rather than the tired old stuff we debate time and time again on this blog.

But Rolfe just stirs up the pot again, offers nothing, absolutely nothing constructive and is a divisive as the twats in Government.

I apologise for being rude but really why does this bonehead get airtime?

[Uncle Elvis (AKA: He Who Is Always Right, AKA: "HIM") on 12.04.06 at 16:33]

ken,

I agree with you. This has traditionally been the way it is.
But let's look at why.
Whites have traditionally had the power, the money, etc, etc. They've always had the privilege. They've always had the advantage, they've always been the group to aspire to be. I'm not defending this, but it IS how it is, traditionally.
It only makes sense for the traditionally disadvantaged to join the group with power, rather than the other way 'round.

And it's been like this for a long time, as we know.
However, as Black culture has become stronger - more powerful, if you will - more and more people are embracing it. Hip Hop, Jazz, Poetry, Afrocentricity, Reggae, Dreadlocks,African studies... hell, even Rock and Roll, baby! *grin* Yes, it was stolen and never gave credit until relatively recently, but as time has gone one, we DO recognise and embrace that rock and roll has strong roots in Black American culture.

And as it grows stronger within itself, we'll find more and more people of other races embracing it.
All of this is because blacks have joined white culture and worked from within to raise up their own side. It's not always bad to do so and it doesn't make one a sell-out to do whatever it takes to make life better for you and yours and it CERTAINLY doesn't make one a House Slave to conform to traditional society in order to do this.
I dare ANYONE to call Gen. Powell a sellout or... that other thing.

Am I making any sense with this?

I feel that I should say again, I'm not condoning it, I'm just trying to see why these things happen.

And before anyone jumps on me, I'm going to borrow a quote:

"This is by no means saying that this may be the only reason...but I believe it to be part of the reason"

[Bill Cook on 12.04.06 at 16:38]

RC makes the point for the UBP in my opinion.

If the UBP want to win the next election and they can attract more support by running with WF they would be foolish not to thats just common sense
They will not lose any votes it seems and WF is widely respected.

Its no easy task for RC to explain the support for the UBP by blacks for almost 40 yrs but basically the support comes in the main from middle class blacks with a financial stake in Bermuda and have gambled that it was in their own best interest to do so.

We cannot go back in time 40 yrs to guess how it would have been if they had put the PLP in power and would the economy have been where it is now ?

It is one thing to inherit a full bread basket with a red hot economy and a bulging bank balance and quite another to have had much hand in creating it in the first place.

Most Bermudians have much more sense than many give them credit for and enjoy the affluent life they lead with nice homes luxury travel and the perks in my opinion esp black Bermudians.

Those disgruntled Blacks who seemingly cant cut the mustard look everywhere to find an excuse for their own mediocrity and are reduced to remaining a legend in their own minds in perpetuity.

Regrettably they are feted by a timid media and called by flattering names unmatched by their humble accomplishments and given much more time and space than more deserving contributors in my opinion.

[silencedogood on 12.04.06 at 17:00]

Don't hold back Bill--tell us what you really think. ;)

[J Starling on 12.04.06 at 17:03]

Its the economy stupid. Okay, this isn't Clinton and Bush Sr., but the quote works here too. The vast majority of the white population (say, 80%, I'ld have to check the census 2000 for exact numbers) is in the upper or middle classes. The vast majority of the lower or working class is black. Maybe 20% of the blacks are in the upper and middle classes, and this is reflected (in general) in the 'black' support for the UBP. The PLP is a LABOUR party. Its mass support is in the working class. If the working class is predominantly black here (and it is for historical reasons) then the labour party is most likely going to be predominantly black in colour. The whites that support the PLP are those few whites that fall in the lower class and a handful of the middle and upper classes who subsrcibe to the labour ideology. Some of the lower class blacks no doubt support the UBP as well, but I'ld bet they are as a minority as the white upper and middle classes that support the PLP. This talk of race obscures the real issues at play here. I'm not saying that race is incindental, but it certainly isn't fundamental to the problem.

[Bill Cook on 12.04.06 at 17:30]

You are eating the right birdseed there JS

Socia economic reality is where its at.

The problem is that we have not so much a shrinking middle class its growing actually but not at the rate of the underclass who for a variety of reasons struggle to keep their head above water.

This group will be the price we pay for the life we enjoy as the prisons fill up the squatters increase and the cost to the taxpayer to subsidise rises dramatically and the children of many of this group will mostly ensure continuity of same for the forseeable future in my opinion.

[Linda Mello on 12.04.06 at 18:29]

RC and those who think like him will constantly use the race card as a crutch. It's an easy out for his lack of success. I really don't put too much credance in any of his articles. I usually use his columns to line my bird cage. 'Nuf said.

[Slowhand on 12.04.06 at 19:30]

Rolfe loves to hear himself talk, and I dare say he may be his only fan. He loves to refer to his own work as if it is the gospel just because he wrote it.

[observor on 12.04.06 at 20:27]

RC must be bored stiff having now concluded his BIC (and all the catering that went along with it) post.

I guess he's decided to fire up his consistently inaccurate Bugsy Malone splurge gun hoping to squeeze off a few creamy rounds of drivel in the hopes of garnering praise from the current government (think obedient puppy sitting up with a long, saliva covered tongue panting away and his little head cocked to the side anxiously awaiting attention) and perhaps, in turn, receive a few more committee posts (you don't need no stinking experience ... credentials smentials ... here's the job ... show up ... speak out ... and collect your cheque ... repeat) and perhaps some extra crumbs from the leadership table which is always overflowing with the spoils of self enrichment.

[Rev. Goat on 12.04.06 at 20:49]

How the hell does RG even publish that crap....

Ooooo, hang on here a minute!! This is really going to throw a spanner in the works next time Scottie starts blubbering and whining about the RG.

I wonder what Mr Hayward has to say about it?

[stuart J Hayward on 12.04.06 at 21:01]

Good timing Rev.

I was just reading the posts and noticing how easy it is for some of us to shoot poison darts at the person. Is there really so much satisfaction in characater assassination?

[Double D Standard on 12.04.06 at 21:07]

Rolfe will always take a mile whenever the UBP gives him an inch. I was absolutely stunned that the UBP hired Hott 107.5 for the Good Friday kite festival. Patricia Gordon Pamplin, a UBP Senator, has filed a human rights complaint against Col Burch, who was given free reign by Hott 107.5 to call "people like her" a House Nigger. It's the same channel that allows the Col to spout divisive rhetoric all the time. Rolfe's arguments don't fall on deaf ears when the UBP continues to provide him with superb examples of racial pandering and window dressing.

[J Starling on 12.04.06 at 21:34]

In another thread (I believe it was 'Inside the Royal Gazette') someone, in reference to Dr. Eva Hodgsin's letters wrote that she seems to be a broken record, constantly repeating the same old tune. That metaphor strikes a chord with me. How often does it ring true for us all on this thread! The PLP is always a black racialist party out for revenge. The UBP stands for unity and good governance. Same old talk, different day and thread. Lets be blunt here once and for all (cry havoc and let loose the dogs of war no less!). The PLP does from time to time let fly some wildly black racialist diatribe. The UBP does pander to the black vote with various window dressing (I only use that term as it has been used above). Corruption has existed under both parties, whether with the knowledge of the governments or not. But how often do we attack the messenger or the method of delivery and not the message itself? Take Calvin Smiths recent article. I myself attacked him on this, but only for his last comment concerning Asians. But what was the essence of his article? He was actually discussing the notion of a pyschology of dependency, of cultural inferioty within the black population. This does exist and does need to be tackled. This is a legacy of the past. So is this culture of entitlement and vulgar materialism that pervades our society. The wrongs of the past degraded both our black and white ancestors, and the scars from this will haunt our people for a long time, until slavery and the system that created it are but a dim memory. The politics of revenge only lead to a quagmire of hatred. The only way to retrieve our social dignity is to face the past and its present legacies and work together to build a better world. I fully accept that the language used, the imagery conjured, is not always conducive to acheiving this and often obscures the valid messages. We should defend against this, but not to the extent that we neglect the message and their very real foundations.
I recognise that this site is somewhat skewed towards UBP partisans, but how often must we attack scarecrows, mere caricutures, shadows of things than the essence of the argument? How many times can we dismiss the message because of the messenger?
I've read and re-read Rolfe's opinion piece. To me he's calling it how it is.

[Raptor on 12.04.06 at 21:55]

Sleepy calls Rolf.C. a “pin-head.”
OnDeWater calls him a bit of a “sh**-stirrer.”
Sandgrownan calls him “an idiot” and “a bonehead.”
Linda Mello “uses his columns to line her bird cage.”
Rev. Goat says his article is “crap.”
Last night jsm said Americans “are the most arrogant, condescending people there are.”
I wrote that jsm’s comment was a “truly ignorant generalization.” I.e., I commented on his/her comment but did not call him/her a name.
My comment was erased. I don’t get it.

[The Limey on 12.04.06 at 23:03]

Raptor

Personal attacks against other commenters are explicitly forbidden here. I didn't think the tone of your remark to jsm was particularly helpful either, which is why I deleted it.

Personal attacks against public figures, however, are allowed. That said, I find such ad hominem attacks distasteful and less convincing than an argument that addresses the substance of what was said.

Jonathan

You sound like you agree with Rolfe that Wayne Furbert is just window dressing. This accusation implies that you believe that at heart the UBP is a party that puts whites before blacks. Why do you believe this to be the case?

[novote on 12.04.06 at 23:05]

If we assume that the primary motivation of political parties is to secure the right to govern, then the behaviour of the UBP and PLP is indeed not a reflection on them but rather that of the psyche of the electorate...and in particular that of those that vote for each of them.

To persuade the electorate to vote for them political parties will present themselves in a manner that is likely to attract support.

Their behaviour is therefore driven not by those inside each party, but ultimately by those that provide each with support at elections.

Indeed the more powerful an electoral bloc, the more dramatically it will influence the behaviour of the party that it supports and in fact to some extent the parties that it does not support.

So, what therefore do the 'facts' in RC's article tell us?

By the above reasoning it can be deduced that a numerically dominant proportion of the black electorate in Bermuda are racially biased, because there is support from them for a racially biased PLP government.

Furthermore, RC's 'facts' tells us that the UBP believe that this racial bias exists in this numerically dominant proportion of the black electorate because it has attempted to leverage this bias to garner support for itself through the appointment of a black leader.

What RC's 'facts' do not tell us is anything particularly conclusive about the racial disposition of the white electorate, because this electoral bloc is not sufficiently powerful numerically to influence a bias of behaviour along racial lines within the UBP, the party which it evidently supports.

The racial stance of the PLP supports the argument that the white electorate is politically impotent, because the PLP would otherwise not be able to retain power.

Curiously enough, therefore, RC's 'facts' actually support a conclusion that is almost the opposite of what he actually argues: within the black electorate there is a significant element of racism, and in the white electorate....well RC's 'facts'don't actually support a conclusion...he has just assumed one.

Personally and based upon my own experience, I think that there is a huge proportion of Bermuda's electorate on both sides of the colour divide that are blatantly racist.

Fortunately, the younger generations seem to display this less frequently....so perhaps there is hope!

[J Starling on 12.04.06 at 23:11]

I feel you misunderstand me here friend Limey. I wrote about Wayne Furbert's leadership in the thread concerning it. I do not feel that the UBP is a party that puts whites before blacks. I feel that they are a Bermudian Conservative Party that has a right wing and a left 'liberal' wing. I recognise that they have a predominantly white support base due to the economics outlined above. I do believe the UBP feels it necessary to 'pull in' black voters, which is obvious when you look at the respective parties support bases and the swing voters (the predominantly vacillating middle class, black and white) and does seek to be racially inclusive. I believe they do pander to the 'black vote' but I also believe the PLP tries to pander to the 'black vote.' I believe at the heart of the issue is a pro-capital UBP and a pro-labour PLP that, for historical reasons see this largely reflected in terms of race. When the two parties converge in the political centre the message gets blurred and the racial nonsense gets hyped.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 12.04.06 at 23:30]

Sleepy,

"Until he apologises for his bank robbery past...he has zero credibility."

Ralph served his time in jail for his bank robbery. What more does he need to do? Should he stand at the flag pole and publicly apologise? Or do you believe that once a criminal always a criminal and once you have committed a crime you should always be excluded from society? I thought serving a jail time levied by a court of the land was paying your debt for your crime.

I think Ralph has done much to put his past behind him and become a productive member of the Bermuda society. I guess, however, there are some who will never allow another to move on and will see them for who they once were, not who they are today.

Many of you have called Ralph an idiot and other names but why is one labelled an idiot simply because his views are not the same as yours? OnDeWater, why do you consider Ralph a sh**stirrer? Is it because he has no quams with expressing his views or is it simply because his views differ from yours and he expresses them.

I think political maturity comes about when we are willing to accept that each person has an opinion and that when a person expresses his opinion those who disagree can do so in a respectful manner, recognising that we all have a right to express our opinions.

[Uncle Elvis on 13.04.06 at 00:09]

Guilden,

Thank you. I was going to comment about that.

Mr. Commissiong has paid his debt to society. He did the crime, yes, but, as the saying goes, he did the time.

Me, I don' like him because I disagree with his views and how he presents them. I find him loudmouthed and arrogant. But I've been accused of that, just today, so what the hell do I know?! *grin*

It's just not fair to judge him because of a past transgression, for which he was justly punished.
If he's being an asshole, judge him 'cuz he's being an asshole, not 'cuz he stole.

I don't think that there are many who grew up here that don't owe the Phoenix a few bucks for some chocolate bars or a comic book or two, or owe Wheels Racetrack Chicken for a couple of burger and fries (Come on... you know you've dined and dashed at least once! If you haven't, I HIGHLY recommend it... I mean.. if you haven't, don't do it, 'cuz stealing is bad, m'kay?)
We've all done bad stuff in our lives, maybe not to the level of armed robbery, but a) how many of us have gone to prison for the bad things we've done and, b) if you have, how many want that thrown in our face to dismiss our opinions?

[Marcus on 13.04.06 at 04:30]

Although I agree that people shouldn't be continually punished for past transgressions, if while an adult you made a choice that lies so far outside the arenas of public acceptablity (armed robbery) or indeed just something I personally hugely disagree with then yes I will hold everything single thing you say or do in doubt.

Especially if as the original poster said he hasn't even publically apologised for it.

[The Limey on 13.04.06 at 08:07]

Jonathan

If you do not feel that the UBP is a party that puts whites before blacks then I do not understand why you would say that the UBP "panders" to the black vote with "window dressing".

To me, "window dressing" implies you are trying to conceal the true nature of something with a facade. Yet you believe the UBP is racially inclusive. So what is it about the UBP's actions that makes them "window dressing" rather than the real deal?

[Red Riding Hood (.)(.) on 13.04.06 at 08:37]

"Ralph served his time in jail for his bank robbery. What more does he need to do? Should he stand at the flag pole and publicly apologise? "

Yes, because that is what he expects whites to do.

We have been here before Guilden, the man is a hypocrite of the worst kind. He uses the "convenience" of the past for his platform and attempts to manipulate the electorate though it.

I have to agree totally with novote, the demographics of Bermuda’s electorate prove that the majority of Blacks support racism toward whites by their vote of the racist PLP. If whites are racist it has developed more so recently from fear and defensivness from the constant pressure and open abuse delivered daily by many of the black community. I believe that many of the whites that once held out their hand to right the wrongs of the past have had their hand bitten off(actually probably half their torso to).

As long as RC , Col Burch, P, Brown , Calvin Smith etc..etc…etc…are permitted to spew their diatribe, more and more whites will realize their true position and take the necessary action to protect themselves. This would manifest through more distrust of blacks in the workplace and public.

I believe that this division is the goal of the core PLP, they are basically making it to uncomfortable for the whites to want to live here anymore. They believe that they can then take over and benefit themselves from the economic fortunes of Bermuda. How they think that this will succeed and still have tourism and IB is the big mystery to me. Any ideas anyone?

[jake on 13.04.06 at 08:59]

Red Riding Hood,

You have been the voice of division for so long now that I am surprised that you can still stun me.

"I have to agree totally with novote, the demographics of Bermuda’s electorate prove that the majority of Blacks support racism toward whites by their vote of the racist PLP."

I am only glad that you do not speak for the majority of white people I know (and I am sure white people generally).

What comes across clearly is that you are afraid. I truly feel sorry that you see our country this way.

[Sleepy on 13.04.06 at 09:01]

Commissiong holds todays whites (individually and collectively) responsible for events which occurred long before their time.

So explain to me why he should be given a free pass for his own recent behaviour which he now dishonestly wants to portray as part of a political struggle. Let's call bullshit when we see it shall we.

For him, it's got nothing to do with paying your debt to society but everything to do with assessing the character of the man.

Should he stand at the flagpole and apologise. That'd be a start. He terrorised people that day, people who remain impacted by those events, and has never expressed regret for what he did.

If he won't be honest and take responsibility for his own actions, then I don't want to hear him lecture others.

[novote on 13.04.06 at 10:12]

I would like to point out that LRRH has extrapolated considerably from my original argument, which was simply intended to show that there is another conclusion contrary to RC's that can be drawn from his set of 'facts', if a simple and reasonable assumption about the behaviour of political parties is taken.

My argument does not present any conclusion about the racial bias of the white electorate in Bermuda, and I am aware that politics is in reality a little more complex than my simple assumption acknowledges.

My own views on the culture of racism in Bermuda are noted towards the end of my posting for the record.

I just wanted to make this clear before my pseudonym gets embroiled further in this thread of the debate.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 10:46]

Ok, ok, ok, so Rolfe has stirred the pot for many of you. You've called him racist, condescending,you've attacked his criminal record, you've called him a pot stirrer, blah blah, blah, etc etc.

Now that all your magazines are empty from shooting the messenger let us analyse the message. The fact is, as Ken has said, this is bigger than a political issue. In Bermuda's history whites have rarely crossed the racial barrier to join black social clubs, sports clubs, schools, churches OR political organisations. For example, in case many of you have short memories, Saltus, Warwick Academy and BHS only accepted white students and this was sanctioned and accepted by law. This only changed in 1970. The Berkely Institute had NO policy in place banning whites. After 1970 blacks started to cross the barrier. Whites did not.

Let's be real Limey. No white person, however well intentioned their hearts may be, wanted the stigma of being attached to a black organisation or even marrying a black person for that matter. Anglo Bermuda has learned its classism from England. Blend this with the added race factor in the colonies and you get an environment where to join a black orgainisation would be a step down the social ladder for any white person. Those persons who really did want to have friendships with blacks (and there were many) were dissuaded from doing so by family and friends and by the enormous stigma that would be attached to such a move.

Even a white person from more humble means than say a Trimingham or a Cox knew that if he kept his links tight with the white community he may have a chance to rise up the ladder with a good education and a bit of smarts. If he wanted a good club to join he'll start at Spanish Point and hopefully elevate himself to RBYC. If he liked football, he'll go play for BAA or the Ramblers.

I am not judging anyone. If I was white I might be the same way. As a black person, I know we have our burdens, but let us not deny the tremendous "white" burdens that many of you bare. Whilst some might be afraid to join a black organisation because you fear all the blacks there will attack you with knives, let us not deny that many of you will never want to sit at a dinner party with your white friends or stand around the cooler at work with your white colleagues and say, "hey guys, I've joined the PLP." The stigma still exists to this day.

[sandgrownan on 13.04.06 at 10:56]

Onion - we're shooting the messenger becasue he is divisive, self serving and offers nothing constructive. His rhetoric perpetuates the problem.

Reading through these posts it seems many, black, white, and from both sides of the political spectrum understand the problem, know why it exists and are seriously trying to figure out how to remove race from politics. Rolfe and his ilk need to butt out.

[Denis Pitcher on 13.04.06 at 10:59]

Jonathan,

Earlier in this thread you made reference to another opinion article regarding Dr. Eva Hodgson's recurring theme.

I wrote that article. The specific point that drew me to writing it was that I was quite annoyed when she accused blacks who happened to choose a white leader as being symbolically drawn back to the plantation.

This kind of crap is what is divisive. She and people like RC can talk all they want about the racism of the past, but when they accuse ANY black led by a white as being essentially stupid, I take serious offense to it.

What this does is it instills in our people a continual motivation to avoid ever working under a white person.

When, as you so dutifully pointed out, the middle and upper class are predominantly white, how do you suppose blacks who take this attitude will ever get ahead?

It is my belief that the PLP has FAILED as a labour party. The old PLP had ideals and passion for empowering our people, the new PLP just spouts divisive rhetoric to serve as "window dressing" to the fact that they have failed at accomplishing much of anything over the last 7 years. Their only saving grace may be what last minute hoopla they can throw together before the election to take advantage of the poor political memory of our people.

If the PLP was a true labour party, they would be EDUCATING the lower class so that they could move up in society. Instead we have nearly half our students failing and more and more people being hired into government to keep the unemployment rate low.

Not to be one sided, the UBP has also failed. They have failed to empower and give hope to the middle class as they should. They spend more time being reactive and less to none being proactive.

The truth, is that if you look around, especially at the type of houses up for sale, the middle class is pulling out of Bermuda. Both black and white for they are struggling here. If you understand much of economics, this is very bad, for it is the middle class that keeps the economy afloat.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 11:11]

Sleepy calls Rolf.C. a “pin-head.”
OnDeWater calls him a bit of a “sh**-stirrer.”
Sandgrownan calls him “an idiot” and “a bonehead.”
Linda Mello “uses his columns to line her bird cage.”
Rev. Goat says his article is “crap.”

When I call out the RG for having had a tradition of being "divisive", "self-serving" and "perpetuating the problems of the land" I get no such responses from any of you concerning the paper. All I get are excuses and explanations and demands for "proof".

RC is one man who writes the odd letter from time to time. He is not even an elected MP, and is unlikely to hold any real power over any of you in your lifetimes and look how reactionary all of you are to him. I maintain, regardless about what you may feel about the messenger there are grains of truth in his commentary.

I do not like the way Christian Dunleavy writes either. His partisanship is naked and he has even admitted as such on this blog. However, I cannot deny that from time to time he does bring out a grain of truth. It is childish to continue to attack the messenger.

[ken on 13.04.06 at 11:19]

I have to agree with Onion.

The anger and hostility displayed towards RC is cowardly and irrational in my opinion. You don't have to like what he says, or agree with what he said. But his criminal record to me has no bearing on what he has said. Too often we cloud the message by our disdain for the messenger. Why can't we separate the two, and then we might actually get somewhere.

[sandgrownan on 13.04.06 at 11:21]

Ken, you're wrong. RC's comments continue to perpetuate the divide and the mistrust. If he had turned round and offered a solution then it would be a different matter. Oh..but does he actually care about a solution?

[Rossini on 13.04.06 at 11:30]

I too don't understand how it is that Rolfe has earned the title "political commentator" but then this is Bermuda and anything is possible. I think I need to assure Limey of that on which J Starling sought to backtrack. Wayne Furbert is window dressing as is Gina Spence-Farmer and most of the other UBP blacks.How do you know ? Watch the issues they tackle and the ones they don't. Perfect example.....the short lived comments about the recent civil service pay increase.....all Pat Pamplin could say was "well, it wasn't in the budget...". Why wouldn't they attack it...because included in the pay package was their beloved Chief Justice.....couldn't attack a pay raise for him now could we....they are so transparent its laughable. Think of the hopeless band of blacks who have played politics with the UBP in the last decade.....where are they now.....let's see, there's Angelita Fox, Keetha Lowe, Jerome Dill, Larry Scott, Kenny Bascome.....what a bunch. Succeeded so ably now by the likes of Jamahal Simmons, Gina Spence-Farmer, Jon Brunson and Wayne Scott...."in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king".

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 11:31]

Sandgrownan,

Help me out here. The solution is in calling him a bonehead, idiot, pin-head, sh**tstirrer?

[sandgrownan on 13.04.06 at 11:35]

Onion - you're better than that. My point is that he needs to shut up until he can offer something constructive. Reading his commentary in the paper the other days sucks my will to live. I was thinking - why did he write this? To what end?

We all know that race continues to divide, we know why, we want to know what to do about it?. RC is part of the problem, along with P, Brown, Burch etc etc.

[ken on 13.04.06 at 11:38]

sandgrownan,

I said that you don't have to agree with his comments...but leave his past out of it. To me it has no bearing on what he said. I don't necessarily agree with everything he says, I don't necessarily agree with everything anyone says, however, I try to at least read the message and understand it, and not totally decry it simply based on the orator or writer.

Rossini,

Well said...the UBP has been a revolving door for certain blacks that are anxious to climb the social ladder. When they are not elected or not appointed to a particular position they are never heard of again. To me that shows the party is not as open as it would like to be portrayed. It will be interesting to see who they have contesting their marginal seats in the next election. I wonder if those blacks that ran in 2003 will run again namely Kim Swan, Keetha Lowe, Lawrence Fox, Gwyneth Rawlins, Calvin Simons, Ed Bailey, Anthony Steede, Corin Smith etc. Will these candidates will be willing to run again when they seem to have not a chance at winning?

[Denis Pitcher on 13.04.06 at 11:41]

Perhaps the real problem here isn't people like RC, it's papers like The Royal Gazette for posting their commentary.

Many a time I have tried writing in constructive articles only to recieve no response and no publication.

Only when I write articles like the one that ran alongside RC's do they get posted.

What does that say to me? Perhaps people like RC and Dr. Hodgson do write in constructive articles, but it is the discretion of the editor who remains interested in divisiveness for it draws more people to read his paper.

[sandgrownan on 13.04.06 at 11:44]

Ken - I didn't mention his past.

Interestingly, the comments of Ken and Rossini destroy the the chances of Black UBP candidates. These are the same sort of comments spewed by RC, and the colonel, when taken together create a wall of noise that obscures any message or policy discussion. It's almost as if you don't want a race free political arean, it's as if that's all you have to hang on to.

The divide is perpetuated.

[Sleepy on 13.04.06 at 11:52]

And of course there are no examples provided by Ken or Rossini of the many white candidates who have run only to disappear at future elections. Cuz that would fuck up the theory that blacks are used as single election window dressing wouldn't it. I can provide the list if you'd like, it's not that hard and there's many.

Could it be that sometimes candidates come and candidates go, regardless of their race, for a variety of reasons?

Nah. That means it can't all be put at the feet of race.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 11:55]

Sandgrownan, I understand your point and do share your frustration at times. But should we then tell Limey to "shut up" from making comments like this?

"I don't dispute his suggestion that the proportion of whites who vote for the UBP is significantly higher than the proportion of blacks who vote for the PLP. However I have a different interpretation of this. Could it be that the UBP attracts between 20 and 30% of the black vote (according to Mr. Commissiong) because those blacks do not perceive it as hostile to their interests? Conversely, could it be that the PLP can only scape together 3 to 5% of the white vote (again, according to Mr. Commissiong) because the majority of whites do consider the PLP to be hostile to them?"

I could interpret Limey's comments as saying that only white organisations have lovingly opened their arms to accept blacks into their midst whilst black organisations have not properly welcomed whites. I completely disagree with this for the reasons given above. I can say that Limey's comments are as biased as RC's albeit in favour of the UBP/white people. Limey's comments offer no more solutions than do RC's comments.

Is Limey a bonehead?

[ken on 13.04.06 at 11:55]

sandgrownan

I didn't mean that you specifically mentioned his past, but my prior post was talking about posters that continually condemn him.

I don't think my comments to anything for the chances of black UBP candidates. One situation that rings true for me and confirms the UBP's disloyalty to an elder statesmen of their party was in the 2003 election. They took a former Deputy Premier (I believe) in Erwin Adderley, and ran him against Neletha Butterfield in Pembroke West Central, and gave Jamahl Simmons, a relative newbie if you please, the relatively safe seat in Pembroke West. What type of gratitude are they displaying? Jamahl should have had to work his butt off in Pembroke West Central, rather than being given an automatic bye into the House. But Mr. Adderley is still there campaigning and supporting the UBP, even when they have shown utter disrespect to him. This is not a racial situation, but to me it shows the lack of integrity within the party. Many of you are so quick to point out the perceived issues in the PLP, but lets not believe that there is unity and peace and love within the UBP either!

[Canuck in Bermuda on 13.04.06 at 12:08]

The level of paranioa / screaming rhetoric around here is somehow both sad and comical sometimes

[observor on 13.04.06 at 12:11]

ken

Erwin Adderley ran against Neletha because he was a strong candidate and had a good chance of beating her, thereby increasing the number of seats in government. No one in the UBP has utter disrespect to him, quite the opposite in fact.

[wyrdsister on 13.04.06 at 12:13]

Canuck, you have to admit that is all good for a laugh. You can predict the entire conversation before it begins, all the same stands will be taken, similar comments will be made by the same people from one thread to another.

[SmokingGun on 13.04.06 at 12:19]

Once again I agree with Denis. The fact that the article went into a hard-copy publication for the whole island to see with little to no recourse simply creates an air of divisiveness and distrust.

Imagine: I'm a visiting tourist and I go down for breakfast in my hotel. I decide to read a little bit about Bermuda so I grab the paper. In it I find this article. Hmmmm.....

On another note:

"I believe they do pander to the 'black vote' but I also believe the PLP tries to pander to the 'black vote.' " - J Starling

Hmmm... I wish someone would start pandering to the white vote.

[Uncle Elvis on 13.04.06 at 12:25]

One thing. What about all the white candidates that failed? I can think of a couple. Or do we discount them?
They, too, "are anxious to climb the social ladder. When they are not elected or not appointed to a particular position they are never heard of again". They were in the exact same boat, using the UBP to try to climb the ladder, to use the system to get ahead. You seem to have great disdain for blacks that do this. Do you have the same disdain for whites? Would you have the same disdain for a white person that tried to use the PLP for the same goal?

I note that no one has commented on any of the positive, helpful posts here.

We all have agendas. It might be an idea to keep that in mind.

[Uncle Elvis on 13.04.06 at 12:34]

Well said, obsie. If I were a political party, I, too, would run a proven, successful candidate in a more difficult constituency, rather than "giving him a bye". And I would NEVER have run an unknown, untried candidate in that constituency. How would that give them ANY sort of support? "Ok. Here you go. You're young, we think you'll do well in the party and we're happy to have you. Oh, by the way, you're just a sacrificial lamb, covering our slots."
To do that is just giving up. Something that happens far too often in our elections.

[sandgrownan on 13.04.06 at 12:38]

Onion - sometimes he is!! Sorry mate, couldn't resist.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 12:49]

Canuck, you have to admit that is all good for a laugh. You can predict the entire conversation before it begins, all the same stands will be taken, similar comments will be made by the same people from one thread to another.

Posted by wyrdsister on 13.04.06 at 12:13

We all know where the conversation is gonna go. Why don't you ask Limey why he initiates such conversations? Ask him to initiate a debate on who will win the WC this year. Is Pele better than Maradona? Is Star Wars better than Star Trek. But if you talk about politics in Bermuda race is sure to come up.

[saul overmyer on 13.04.06 at 12:50]

Talk about stirring the pot.

I find myself recounting every few days to my partner (BJ) and friends "those unpalatable encounters" made up of careful comments undeniably racist in origin.

I have been advised that it's only a minority of people on the island who think and behave in this manner, that I should pay them no mind, and live my life as I deem fit.

Why do I say "careful" yet "racist", and in "every few days"?

The truth is that racism is universally abhored, and nobody wants to admit that they are racist. So they get round it.

They usually wonder why a visible non-Bermudian is in their midst. So I say, my partner is Bermudian - nobody believed me, or maybe they didn't believe that we got married for love.

Then they ask, is BJ black or white? I say white. They go, "Oh, I see." Long pause. "Not that it matters".

NO, IT MATTERS BECAUSE YOU WOULDN"T HAVE ASKED OTHERWISE. And I also noticed that every time this question is asked, it came from a black Bermudian. Who also happened to be married to white Swedes or Americans.

I also notice that the question comes in the middle of a genteel, almost chummy conversation. Like lightning out of the blue.

SO really, on top of an island mentality where Bermudians are being besieged by rapacious aliens, as the spouse of a Bermudian, I have to grapple with race, hence I'm truly doubly "handicapped" in my assimilation into the community.

I would like to contribute to the community. They tell me well, you certainly have the capacity to do so, but we have to justify why we are getting you to do this, instead of a black Bermudian. Hmmm.

I didn't sleep very well those nights. I was really sad. I didn't think I would hear people admit readily to racism - apparently it's only shameful and uncosmopolitan in the big cities. Not that they admit so much in words - it's all about "affirmative action". But they have certainly brought racism into our exchanges - they have in effect whipped me with it, leaving me scars that will never go away - because that is the very nature of that whip.

If I try to say that's ironic how the whipped have now risen, only to take hold of that same whip, and that the cycle is being continued - I'm not helping the situation, because it lends credence to the argument that black Bermudians are merely or still, the victims.

So I won't say that it's ironic, but instead, I'll look at each black person as an individual, who I'll try and get to know. And to cherish my black friends in Canada and the US, and be thankful that they love me as their friend.

Of course, I'll resist the overwhelming urge to generalize or polarize, because I'm certainly aware that "protectionism", whether economic or racial, finds supporters among those who have gained the most from its use, and who want to protect those gains.

However, I reject that reassuring refrain "that it's just the minority who are racist and vocal". There is a majority who are racist and "cunning" - by not talking about it, or downplaying it, by intermixing with politically correct rhetoric, or simply pretending that it's not there.

"Minority racism" is a cop-out explanation for what is taking place.

Our neighbours (12 months by now) want us to enjoy our stay in Bermuda. Don't worry, we're certainly trying.

[wyrdsister on 13.04.06 at 13:00]

"But if you talk about politics in Bermuda race is sure to come up.

Posted by Onion on 13.04.06 at 12:49"

why not come up with solutions instead of always going back to the same old "UBP did this, the PLP does that, its the whites fault its the blacks fault". It's like school ground antics. Isn't this supposed to be the "New Bermuda"? Why not start finding new solutions to fix problems instead of falling back on the same old name calling and dregging up past injustices to make the new ones 'OK'.

[novote on 13.04.06 at 13:04]

Saul - Sounds like you've had enough. I'm in the same position...and I certainly have! It's not a matter of if but when I'm off this rock - along with the 3 Bermudian members of my family - to leave it to putrify in its racist festering culture.

[saul overmyer on 13.04.06 at 13:04]

As for voting and political affiliation, let's just say that when I do mention to a black Bermudian that I browse Limey In Bermuda, he/she drew back.

When I join in the criticism of civil service pay increases, they looked uncomfortable even though they had just done the same. They start to speak of good thinkers on the island who could sit down and find excellent solutions.

And these are well-educated, well salaried black Bermudians. Now, who do you think they are voting for?

[SmokingGun on 13.04.06 at 13:10]

"to leave it to putrify in its racist festering culture."

Sounds like line out of The Tempest.

"Quo Fata Fester"

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 13:14]

Saul,

I find your analysis to be overly simplistic and unhelpful. Whites are just as curious about the race of your partner as blacks. They just may not be as bold to come out and ask.

You say that blacks "drew back" when they found out that you tuned in to this Limey blog? I had a friend who is is a white Canadian expat working at an exempt company. You should see how his work colleagues "drew back" when they saw him dating a black local girl.

We all have our stories to tell on both sides of the equation. Let's move on.

[The Limey on 13.04.06 at 13:30]

I agree with ken and Onion that Rolfe Commissiong's past, along with whether or not you think he is an asshole, is completely irrelevant to the points he is making. You may disagree with what he says. You may think he expressed himself in an offensive manner. But let's talk about the substance of what he was saying. Imagine that it was some other black man that had made these comments. Because it's my impression that there are plenty of other people out there who are not Rolfe who hold similar opinions.

Onion

I could interpret Limey's comments as saying that only white organisations have lovingly opened their arms to accept blacks into their midst whilst black organisations have not properly welcomed whites.

I was talking solely about the UBP and the PLP, not other organisations.

Why don't you ask Limey why he initiates such conversations? Ask him to initiate a debate on who will win the WC this year. Is Pele better than Maradona? Is Star Wars better than Star Trek.

On most of the subjects I write about, I'm interested to hear readers' thoughts too. However, there are some posts (usually the ones about race) when my heart sinks at the thought of having to read the comments they will likely generate. But if I have something I want to say, I'll write them anyway. If you find these posts tiresome, you don't have to read them, or respond.

As for initiating debates on other topics - I do. All the time. It's just you rarely choose to comment on them. I've just gone back and looked at all the threads you have commented on over the last few months. Almost every one was about race or politics. When there are posts on non-political topics you rarely contribute. Where were your comments on Stuart's Iraq thread? Or my broadband posts? Or the post about courtesy stops on the road? Or the post about the Danish cartoons of Mohammed?

Don't get me wrong - I only expect you to contribute to the topics you find interesting. But criticising me for doing these kinds of posts when these represent 95% of the posts you comment on seems kind of hypocritical.

[silencedogood on 13.04.06 at 13:48]

No white person, however well intentioned their hearts may be, wanted the stigma of ... marrying a black person for that matter.
Posted by Onion on 13.04.06 at 10:46

Onion, surely you jest? Really, honestly, did this comment inadvertantly slip out by mistake? God knows I've made a few. Bermuda has more mixed race couples than just about anywhere.

Various,
As for shooting the messenger I don't really get this criticism. Reread his article. He says that the UBP bringing Gibbons on was due to white racism, firing him was pandering, bringing Furbert on was pandering, all inconsistent with their stated goal of judging people by quality not color. How is that logical? Wouldn't they pander all the time or be racist all the time. Leopards don't change their spots and if they did it would probably take a bit longer.

Isn't it exactly logical that with the stated goal of judging people based on merit to fire someone lacking a necessary quality who isn't getting results in favor of someone who is equal in all respects but also has that necessary quality? I expect we will hear more comments like this the better Wayne Furbert does because it makes it easier to dismiss him.

So yeah, people will react to such a nonsensical argument by Commissioning and some will go farther than calling his arguments idiotic and just call him an idiot for shorthand. I wouldn't call poorly reasoned, racially charged articles being a productive member of society.

Contrast Commissioning's diatribe with Ken's first post on this thread which articulated intelligently why the same effects discussed by commissioning might have occurred--a desire for acceptance from whites by blacks.

I didn't notice anyone jump on Ken and I would argue that is because he raised a plausible explaination for some occurrences. Nor did Ken say that was the sole reason behind the demographics but one of many factors, also reasonable and food for thought.

If Commissioning is a hack, which I believe he is, people should be able to say so. Although I would think more explaination is warranted rather than just calling him an idiot or pinhead.

[silencedogood on 13.04.06 at 14:08]

I just reread and to be clear the necessary quality is charisma.

[Sleepy on 13.04.06 at 14:11]

Alright. I'll atone for my sins. While he is a pinhead that wasn't the best response. He's just so infuriating that it seemed to sum it all up the best.

[SmokingGun on 13.04.06 at 14:25]

spinhead?

[sandgrownan on 13.04.06 at 14:35]

Silencedogood - Amen.

[saul overmyer on 13.04.06 at 14:41]

Onion,

I agree that we all have our stories. The question is, can we move on with or without the telling of our stories? Can we act without so-called "stories" or what is really the articulation of our experiences?

Man's state of existence is only uplifted when we are galvanized by stories, or what we call subjective interpretations of events tinged by emotions and intentions.

Is it possible for me to tell my grandmother that she doesn't have the right to tell her story of gender subordination and forced migration, just because I don't see it existing in front of me, or affecting me? Or shall I deny UN reports that women are forced into prostitution in Burma and Laos, just because I don't know anyone directly affected to it? Shall I tell their families to move on?

If every individual who experience or witness slavery and its rhetoric of subordination, had actually condone or negate their own responses, do you think international institutions will actually fund programs for human rights in our lifetime?

For all we know, the world order and moral compasses today would be that of Thrasymachus -right is might and survival of the fittest. We won't be asking questions or contesting why right had the might in the first place, or why some people are disadvantaged in a certain society.

[Guilden M. Gilbert, Jr. on 13.04.06 at 15:01]

RRH,

"I have to agree totally with novote, the demographics of Bermuda’s electorate prove that the majority of Blacks support racism toward whites by their vote of the racist PLP."

So are you saying that because I support the PLP I am a racist? What about the whites that support the PLP, are they also racist against their own race? Many of us support the PLP for the premise upon which the party was formed not because of the current leadership, I am not saying the current leadership is racist, I am saying the current leadership does not deal with situations the way I would.

If you look at my posts or my letters to the editor, never I have used race to support any of my arguments because I have neve allowed race to have a direct impact on my life and on who I am. I do not define myself based on race because the colour of a persons skin does not tell me who they are.

Unless your view of race differs from that maybe you should re-word you post. However, based on some of your earlier posts, where you stated very clearly how you dislike blacks, I would not expect you to re-word your post.

[Denis Pitcher on 13.04.06 at 15:34]

LOL Onion!

'You should see how his work colleagues "drew back" when they saw him dating a black local girl.'

Perhaps your not aware of the stigma and generalisation that black local girls won't date expats or give them the time of day unless they swim in money and often not even then.

Were they "drew back" out of shock for her color or for his success?

Frankly I'd congradulate any expat who can hook a local black girl. From what I see when I go out, that happens very few and far between.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 15:53]

Limey, take it easy. Stop losing your Teddy. I never said I have grown tired of your posts. If you read above you will see that I was responding to Wyrmyster who lamented on the predictability of the responses to your posts. My point is that when talking about politics in Bermuda, the issue of race will inevitably crop up. I am saying that if they are tired of these responses then they should petition you to initiate more posts on other subjects.

[wyrdsister on 13.04.06 at 16:07]

Onion, at least spell the name right or are you having a nasty little dig, because there is no reason these threads have to end up on the same line of schoolyard politics. See my above post.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 16:09]

Saul, I agree with your post.

Silencedogood says,

"Onion, surely you jest? Really, honestly, did this comment inadvertantly slip out by mistake? God knows I've made a few. Bermuda has more mixed race couples than just about anywhere."

How many Anglo-white Bermudians do you know that are married to Bermudian blacks? I am talking where both are born bred Bermudians. I know of very few. Such couples are certainly not in abundance. That is because the issue of race is still a factor for many when it comes to marriage, particularly if both spouses respective families are local. Do not pretend it does not exist anymore. It is one thing to go and date someone and hang out at Pickled Onion or Coconut Rock. It is quite another to bring them home to mommy and daddy.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 16:10]

Wyrdsister, sorry.

Where did you get that name madam?

[wyrdsister on 13.04.06 at 16:13]

It is the title of a book in a series by Terry Pratchett, very funny series.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 16:24]

I wouldn't take a dig at you on purpose. If I did I would say something like,

"Wyrd up, sistah!"

[JJ on 13.04.06 at 16:29]

What sort of a name is "Commissiong" anyway?

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 16:31]

Trinidadian, of French origin.

[Uncle Elvis on 13.04.06 at 16:33]

It's also from Macbeth (Which the Pratchett story was a spoof of. LOVE Pratchett, by the way!). The witches were the Wyrd Sisters (Weird Sisters).

As for mixed race relatonships...

Do they have to be Anglo, Onion? Can they be French Bermudian? Or Irish Bermudian? Spanish, maybe? Polish?
Or only Anglo? Or are we starting to use the word to describe all white people?

Semantics, I know, but things like that are important... knowing where we come from will help us come together, I firmly believe this.

Don't forget, though, that it goes the other way, too.
How many Black girls would be willing to bring a White boy home? How would THEIR families react?

I know of many Mixed Race Bermudian Families. Many. Just because you don't, doesn't mean they don't exist.

I understand your insistance on talking about Bermudians marrying Bermudians of a different race, but if we're talking about race, why is nationality so important? If Bermudians are marrying people of a different race from another country, do we dismiss these unions in this equation (of whether or not Bermuda has a very high ratio of mixed race couples) because one of the partners is Non-Bermudian?

If so, why? How does it dismiss the acceptance of other races if the person isn't Bermudian?

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 16:48]

Uncle Elvis, I don't throw the word Anglo in there arbitrarily. The wedge between blacks and whites stems from the legacy of slavery which resulted in Africans being enslaved by the English. Anglo Bermudians were the ruling class, not French, Polish, or Irish. In the context of what I have said earlier, this is the reason for the stigma that still exists that dissuades many whites from marrying blacks. It is most pronounced amongst Anglo white Bermudians for the reasons stated. For the record, there are far more Portuguese and blacks hitching up.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 16:49]

Portuguese Bermudians that is.

[Sleepy on 13.04.06 at 16:59]

"For the record, there are far more Portuguese and blacks hitching up."

Please cite your source.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 17:03]

I don't dismiss mixed race marriages where a spouse is from somewhere else. I applaud this. You are missing my point. It is ironically more of an issuue where both spouses and their families are Bermudian and living in Bermuda because:-

1. The families have grown up in the same island but segregated from one another.

2. The families may not warm up to the idea of coming together on birthdays, Christmas holidays, funerals, etc etc. The idea of them all coming together as one big happy cozy family is a bit much for some to swallow.

3. Bermuda is too small and again, the stigma of friends knowing that little Sue is hitching up with that black is a bittler pill.

4. Some blacks do resent whites deeply and are against seeing their family marry whites.

Hey, I want to see all this change. The truth is we still have a ways to go.

[Onion on 13.04.06 at 17:05]

"For the record, there are far more Portuguese and blacks hitching up."

Please cite your source.

Posted by Sleepy on 13.04.06 at 16:59

Here we go again. I live in bleddy Bermuda that is my source. Take your head out of the bleddy sand.

[J Starling on 13.04.06 at 17:12]

Jonathan

If you do not feel that the UBP is a party that puts whites before blacks then I do not understand why you would say that the UBP "panders" to the black vote with "window dressing".

To me, "window dressing" implies you are trying to conceal the true nature of something with a facade. Yet you believe the UBP is racially inclusive. So what is it about the UBP's actions that makes them "window dressing" rather than the real deal?

Posted by The Limey on 13.04.06 at 08:07

I wouldn't say they are concealing the real deal. Rather I would say they are over-exaggerating the real deal. There are blacks who support the UBP, I have never doubted this, they have their economic and with it ideological reasons for doing so. I do think that their party parliamentarians do not proportionally represent their support base, I feel it is artificially skewed. There isn't anything really wrong with that. Some parties strive to have equal gender representation, others racial representation. They do this for ideological reasons are quite frankly for political reasons. With the UBP the question isn't and shouldn't be one of colour. Rather it is one of a more naked laissez faire capitalism mixed with old time mercantilism. The PLP is about social democracy (on its right wing) and democratic socialism (on its left wing). Are there racialists in both camps? I'm pretty sure there are, but they are not central to the parties.

[tilti on 13.04.06 at 17:15]

"Uncle Elvis, I don't throw the word Anglo in there arbitrarily. The wedge between blacks and whites stems from the legacy of slavery which resulted in Africans being enslaved by the English."

Onion, almost all European races have enslaved somebody at some point in their time. Of these, the englsih were the first to ban the practice.

[Sleepy on 13.04.06 at 17:16]

Sorry Onion. That's not a source. That's called anecdotal evidence.

Would you accept me saying "For the record, Bermudian Blacks are more racist than Bermudian whites"?

[J Starling on 13.04.06 at 17:37]

When, as you so dutifully pointed out, the middle and upper class are predominantly white, how do you suppose blacks who take this attitude will ever get ahead? Posted by Denis Pitcher.

Should the black racialists triumph and install a 'dictatorship of melanin' it won't take very long for the black working class to realise that a 'plantation' run by blacks is as bad as a 'plantation' run by whites. I doubt we will reach this stage. For one thing we are fortunate to have the histories of other former colonies around to see what not to do. Toussaint L'ouverture realised the need for the whites and sought to reconcile the races under the ideology of liberty, fraternity and egalitarianism. He had some success, but succumbed to Napoleons plots to reinstall the slavery system in San Domingo. Dessalines, a brilliant strategist, succesfully declared Haitian independence, but he was consumed by hate for the whites and had them slaughtered (at the behest of English imperialism by the way who refused aid unless the french whites were exterminated). Without the know-how of the whites the Haitian economy collapsed and infighting between the Mulatoes and Blacks worsened. We also have the examples of Idi Amin's Uganda, the Rwandan tribal war, the Pakistan-India split, Adolf Hitler's Nazis and so forth to realise that no race is more superior to another when it comes to hate, the cycle of reaction and the social collapse and quagmire that results. We ignore these histories at our peril.

It is a mistake to say the the PLP has failed as a labour party. We have the historical CIA destabilisation of Jamiaca under the Manley's PNP, the contra's throughout latin america, the invasion of Grenada (albeit under the convenient pretext of Coard's coup) and the US embargo on Cuba. Add to this our dependence on a single main industry and on US imports. A labour party has to be careful not to rock the boat too much with all this historical precedents. Furthermore, it is complete hogwash to dismiss the expanison of public transport, the redrawing of the consituencies, the ombudsman, the employment act 2000, the increased construction of affordable housing and so on as inconsequential. Too little, too late perhaps, but a start in the right direction all the same.

As for educating the lower classes, one must take a holistic approach on this one. The public education system, infrastructure and curriculum is top notch. Everythign has its bugs, but thats how humans learn. But the working class (which dominates the public schools) has the further problems of single parents, substacne abuse, long and exhausting working hours that drain one physically and pychically. The middle classes do not have these handicaps. I cannot blame everything on nurture, but I do recognise that certain environments make it easier for one to make certain choices. Its hard. We're trying.

[angloirishrussioyugoamericano_bermudian on 13.04.06 at 17:51]

uncle e, onion;
why do we have to use an adjective in front of Bermudian at all? if we are born here, we are bermudian. yes we may hold other passports, have other cultural lineage prior, but seriously, can't we just be bermudian? why anglo bermudian? why afro bermudian? why afro american? why irish american?
to a degree, i can understand if your parents are say irish, and you were born here, you might call yourself irish bermudian. and i can see if your parents were born in ghana and you were born here considering yourself ghannaian bermudian. Lineage is definitely something to be proud of, but in the end very few people (if any) can trace their roots ALL the way back to the beginning of existence.
As far as the slavery comment. Bermuda was built not only by african slaves, but also irish and scottish sent down by the english. that wouldn't stop me from dating or marrying an english girl and i have irish lineage. Then again, i don't call myself irish bermudian, because my irish lineage is through my grand parents.

[Marc on 13.04.06 at 17:58]

Onion, Uncle Elvis
Just curious, my wife's from Zimbabwe (born and bred) and she's white, I'm from Bermuda and I'm white. When we have kids (which I'm assuming will be white) will they be considered afro-bermudians? or do they have to be black to meet that criteria?

[SmokingGun on 13.04.06 at 18:21]

Marc - Good question.

Back in the days when I had a full head of hair I could have been called an "afro-Bermudian". Today I'm more like an expat: "Hair today, gone tomorrow".

J Starling - did you get a party promotion? You sound like you're stumping.

[Bill Cook on 13.04.06 at 18:26]

Marc,

The children would be Anglo Afro Bermudian, would be my guess.

Considering that there is a lot of speculation that all human life emanated from Africa perhaps everyone can be Termed Afro whatever ?

Trying to get my own roots it seems that it is not as simple as one may think but was amused at the response when I gave the information to an expert
his response as to what I could be called he replied LUCKY BASTARD !

There are times when you have to see the funny side of life !

[SmokingGun on 13.04.06 at 18:39]

Bill - Most Bermudians would probably fall under that category. :-)

And now for a shot of real inspiration:

http://gprime.net/video/autisticballer/

[Rev. Goat on 13.04.06 at 19:09]

"all human life emanated from Africa "

Prove it!

[Michael Taylor on 13.04.06 at 19:29]

Onion,
"...wedge between blacks and whites stems from the legacy of slavery which resulted in Africans being enslaved by the English."

Actually, other than those born into slavery, Africans were enslaved by other Africans who sold them first to each other, then to the Portuguese starting in 1440 for trade inside Europe, and later to all the other European countries with New World colonies. Neither the English nor white people had a monopoly on this crime.

[marc on 13.04.06 at 19:35]

Goat;
""all human life emanated from Africa "

Prove it!"

What Bill said was "that there is a lot of SPECULATION that all human life emanated from Africa"

He doesn't have to prove anything.

[wyrdsister on 13.04.06 at 21:37]

what group of people has not been slaves to another at some point in history?

And it is Wyrd as in the Fates not "weird" though I have been considered at little odd.

[Uncle Elvis on 14.04.06 at 00:02]

Ok... I'll prove it. The Genographic Project. Click here

Marc... depends where they were born!
They could be AfroBermudian British, AfroAngloBermudian Canadian, AngloAfro,AngloBermudian Americans... good lord. I just realized, since we're labelling, that I'm a GermanJewishIrishAngloSaxon Bermudian.

Anyway. Ok, I'll take your point on there not being many Anglo-white (Is there any other type of anglo? Just wondering why you wrote Anglo-white. Is there an Anglo-black?) people in mixed race relationships.

But I ask. How many Anglo-white Bermudians are there?
You are being VERY specific, and are being specific on purpose. So I'll accept your specificity.

What is the percentage of Bermudians whose families are part of the Ruling Class of Bermuda that you refer to?

My guess would be... not a huge one. If the rest of us, exempt by your very definition in the post, are taken out of your equation, then you are absolutely correct. There isn't much prevalence of mixed race marriages.

Thanks for defining exactly what you were talking about.

Now I ask. How about the rest of White Bermuda? Do you think there is a higher percentage of mixed race marriages/couples in Bermuda, taking into account the rest of the white population besides "Anglo-white Bermudians", than the rest of the world?

[Bill Cook on 14.04.06 at 08:07]

Uncle,

Interesting to actually find an Anglo Saxon if in fact one exists but may be as difficult as finding Big Foot.

Tracing the origins of " the Brits " we find that first the Celts then the Romans who gave the culture and protected them but when they left we were invaded by the Angles, Saxons, and Jutes and led to the name Angleland, but in the middle ages we had the invasion of the Normans in 1066 so we have been mixing the pot for almost 1000 yrs

Hence finding an Anglo Saxon other than a fairly meaningless bullshit term may be difficult in my opinion but add to that that after the Domesday book it appears that this the first census showed that 1 in 5 were slaves added to the pot.

[Wayne Furbert on 14.04.06 at 09:28]

Ok !!! Let’s lay down our Weapons of Mass Destruction (our words) and lets thing of ways to pull this country together – One People of Many Races.

I read RC comments but I hold no malice against him because of Freedom of Speech. I will speak to him as I always do.

Yes I am the real deal. Being a former Chairman, and now Leader of the United Bermuda Party, I have never had a call from anyone telling me WHAT I have to do. I am my own man and I take my instructions from the PEOPLE of this Country with out fear or favor.

What I have heard from them is that they want us to improve education, tackle housing, lower crime and deal with drugs. They have also told me that they want us to stop fighting amongst our selves and pull the races together. They are tired of this white and black argument.

I have called for political reform and better working of political parties because I believe that it will go along way to solve some of our problems.

Help!! me to make Bermuda the place that we want it to be, for our selves and our children’s, children.

I throw this out to you all – Would you meet with me so that we can talk? If so I will set up a time and place.

My prayer is that God will grant me Wisdom and Understanding - To Interpret the times, Conceive a plan, Initiate an action for Bermuda.

[Bill Cook on 14.04.06 at 10:06]

Thanks for that Wayne,

The assumption that those who voted for the UBP was done so on the basis of colour proves that false assumptions lead to false conclusions.

In my opinion the reason we have both black and white voters doing so was based on the premise that they could best manage BERMUDA INC.

To date in my opinion nothing has occured to change the mind of most voters who voted for them given our experience since 1998.

Where the UBP may have focused less than they should is in being preoccupied with commerce at the expense of human social relations issues which is where I think is an area that you will not allow to happen with your your widely respected talent in that area in my opinion.

These social issues are crucial in maintaining our quality of life and the fundamental requirement for success in this area is TRUST an area that in my opinion is your strongest asset.

What I hav