Government's role in tackling racism

What should be the extent of the Government’s responsibility to tackle racism?

On Friday, Community Affairs Dale Butler rejected two proposals. First, he reaffirmed that the Government will not adopt the UBP’s code of conduct on race because it would not "solve the problems of human emotions" and it would be impossible to police. Then, in the House of Assembly, he rejected the idea of a truth and reconciliation commission (recommended by both Government backbencher Renee Webb and the Bermuda Independence Commission) because “we feel as a government our actions will help to remove the pain and suffering”. Mr. Butler implied that those “actions” were the Social Agenda and the work done by CURE and CURB.

Is this enough? The yardstick by which any initiative to tackle racism should be measured is whether it brings the black and white communities closer together, or drives them further apart. CURE was established in 1994; the Social Agenda was unveiled almost two years ago. Yet, largely as a result of several self-indulgent comments by some members of the Cabinet, many members of both the black and white communities believe that the Government is not only uninterested in healing racial divisions, but actually wants to perpetuate them. The efforts of CURB, which is independent of the Government, are unlikely to change that.

Whether this perception is accurate is irrelevant. As long as it remains, it’s an indication that the Government’s current actions are also failing to “solve the problems of human emotions”.

So if not a code of conduct or a truth and reconciliation process, what other solutions are the Government prepared to try?

Comments

[novote on 16.07.06 at 02:10]

Racism is central to this government's grip on power.

Why on earth would it do anything to try to eradicate it?

[Raptor on 16.07.06 at 11:39]

I disagree with Mr. Butler. I don’t think the Code of Conduct would be impossible to police at all. That’s only true if PLP leadership is determined not to police it! The only reason they could decide they do not need a Code of Conduct is because they plan and need to continue to use race for political purposes. I do not think this government’s actions are effectively “helping to remove the pain and suffering,” unless that is categorized as “payback,” which is not healthy for the island now or for its future.

Good for Renee Webb speaking on the island’s need to confront its history of slavery and segregation in order to move on. I also agree with her call for a policy to encourage effective economic opportunity. However, she goes on to say, “White people generally have more money and hold higher positions….The ownership still by and large in the main is in the hands disproportionately of a minority group….[Blacks] have been kept back both politically, economically and through the effects of education or mis-education….the economic stronghold is in the hands of a certain group, etc. By the time I finished reading all that (much/some of which is true), I was relieved to read she “does not advocate a Zimbabwe-style reparation policy.” Zimbabwe is not exactly in good shape.

As others have mentioned on LiB, I also would like to see a more comprehensive breakdown of figures on employment and salaries and educational backgrounds and years and type of work experience. No point in comparing apples and oranges: if you have a white person who has graduated with an MBA from a top college and has five+ years of experience, there is a problem comparing him/her to a black person with an MBA from a lesser college who has little or no experience. This situation could easily be reversed, but given the higher white salaries, etc., is perceived as less likely. We have had IB bosses post on LiB, saying they would be thrilled to take well-prepared black Bermudians as employees, but they’re not seeing enough of them.

Bermudians are not going to catch up and be world-class unless education and social problems are tackled and more economic opportunities are created. Opportunities must be available. Webb is talking about the large number of poor black Bermudians. There is also a significant number of black Bermudians who are highly successful, very well educated, and admired in their fields. Bermuda youth need to be able to see those possibilities. It is very difficult for a disadvantaged youth to see how someone could go from his/her background to becoming a doctor, for instance--no role model, no guidance, no positive expectation, no good education. Excellence will take the best jobs; it will trump any racism.

You’re probably not going to see progressive taxation (income tax), because it would affect too many successful black Bermudians and thus might not be used as a racial equalizer.

[onevote on 16.07.06 at 13:46]

I don't have much faith in the current Government to constructively address race issues in this country. The manipulative use of slavery and divisive rhetoric is too much a part of their modus operandi. You have to see race relations in terms other than a blame game. I don't think the Opposition carries the same world view, but I don't think they have much of a direction either.

Race relations (any relations) are about connections. If getting people together is not in your approach, then forget it. If your motives are merely for payback, then after any such payback connections between racial groups are still absent and tension continues. I don't really foresee significant improvements in race relations coming about from this or other Governments.

However, I find the recent upsurge in grass roots democratic assemblies encouraging, and I think it is through those mechanisms that there is the most potential for relations and reconciliation to come about. What a brave Government might do is to contribute resources to ensure that such movements, once started, develop, not as a Government-labelled initiative, but under their own grass-roots momentum. It's the difference between controlling an event/program and sustaining a cause. I think this would lead to more genuine and longer lasting results. Realistically, I don't know that either party would do this, but I'm just hypothesizing anyway.

[Martin on 16.07.06 at 14:16]

I fully understand and support what Raptor has said.

Maybe the point I want to make is wrapped up in his use of the word Bermudians - as distinct from Black Bermudians...but the fact remains that there are employers here who do not want Bermudians of any colour/class/creed to attain a management role.

Those positions go to ex-pats.

The sad thing about that, is that in two companies I know quite well, day to day people issues are not managed by expat managers. There is still this fear of being reported to Immigration.

It is actually quite pathetic to see and hear of straightforward issues going unresolved - simply because no one will manage them.

Maybe a few more Bermudian managers might help.

[The Limey on 16.07.06 at 14:41]

I understand that employers also have a role to play in tackling racism, but let's keep this thread focused on the Government's role, please.

[Teacher on 16.07.06 at 16:24]

"Bermudians are not going to catch up and be world-class unless education and social problems are tackled and more economic opportunities are created"

Lots of our young people maybe slipping through the net of educational opportunity. However, you as parents won't have the full picture of which school adds the most attainment value and which school has the best record of being inclusive. In fact I'm not even sure the Government has a very good grasp of what the standards are in our schools. This is worrying.

Government needs to be more open and admit they don't have a full picture of what is going on within the school system.

It is only then that we can make sure that all children are reaching their potential.

I don't for one moment think they will admit anything - loss of face etc.

[Bill Cook on 16.07.06 at 18:49]

Raptor,

The fourth paragraph of your post(in particular) was one of the best on the subject I have read congratulations.

I hope those concerned will read it and see how much sense it makes in encouraging young Bermudians with some impressive role models as indeed there are many.

[SmokingGun on 17.07.06 at 09:22]

Raptor - great post.

A doctor working in the emergency room doesn't have time to worry whether the kid that just crashed his bike is black, white or anything in between. The common denominator is we all cut and we all bleed.

The fact is our kids are given the opportunity of a first class education but where we slip up is in making sure the carrot is always there and attainable. For a little T&R our kids should learn a great deal about our people's history from an early age, both from the black perspective and the white and as we move forward even the asian. As far as how they should grow and learn to live together our kids should also learn about the code of conduct that our ministers must all sign onto when they choose to represent "all" their constituents.

[Too True on 17.07.06 at 09:41]

I agree with what alot of people have written above. The Government will not adopt any code of conduct regarding race because they use race as a political tool. Ask where all those hundreds of millions dollars are that can't be accounted for, the PLP's reply, never mind that but let me tell you about the days of slavery and plantations, and the wicked white people who ran it.

[Raptor on 17.07.06 at 10:35]

Smoking Gun writes: “A doctor working in the emergency room doesn't have time to worry whether the kid that just crashed his bike is black, white or anything in between. The common denominator is we all cut and we all bleed.”

Funny you said this, as there is a very interesting clergy husband-and-wife team in Boston. He is a physician in emergency medicine; she is a pediatrician. Look what they’ve done in the middle of very busy lives:

http://www.bethelame.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=472&parentID=471&nodeID=1

http://www.bethelame.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=473&parentID=471

[Raptor on 17.07.06 at 11:09]

Just wanted to add that I don't see what I just wrote about as "going off post." I think Government has to look at successful programs and implement them. I've mentioned "Facing History and Ourselves" as being one. Ray Hammond is part of the Ten Point Coalition in Boston, and he's on the board of the biggest charitable organization in town. In other words, his and his wife's work is not specific to their denomination or to religion. They are really smart people who've come up with strong, successful programs that deserve looking at. There is no point in Bermuda trying to reinvent the wheel. It just chews up money and time.

[Tony B on 17.07.06 at 12:16]

Remember this Government's motto (or at least the BBC) is "Power by all means necessary".

They will continue to act like racial terrorists until we as true united Bermudians reralize their tactics for what they are.

Look at the make up of the HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION for starters....and indeed their track record. They even have an unsavory ex con deciding who or who has not made a racial slur ? PATHETIC.

It is plain and simple for all to see.....Glad Calvin Smith got boos the other day.

Bermuda is a paradise rotting from within....and the ROT starts at the TOP.

[selkieman on 17.07.06 at 12:40]

TB, nice to see a man wearing his politics on his sleeve.

Sorry...what was that you were saying in amongst the hyperbole ?

[Tony B on 17.07.06 at 12:45]

Hey vote for a party that is all inclusive , that embraces whites, blacks, portuguese, italians etc....

The PLP blow it everytime someone like Ewart Brown gets up speaks his Louis Farrakan diatribe about plantations etc....

those days are over...

Dr. Brown is an intelligent man who does not have to resort to racial politics...

Wanna know why white aren't endeared to the PLP...their is your answer.....

[selkieman on 17.07.06 at 13:10]

I think the major problem with the present administration, is not that they dont talk the talk, they do: but any concrete action seems to go on walk-about.

The difference between the PLP of even 15/20 yrs ago and now is scary, especially in relation to sheer intelligence and political vision. The gap between what this PLP says it will do, and what happens on the ground appears to be huge.

Even accepting that the wheels of change in Bermuda run exceeding slow, there's not much evidence of any of their policies which would deal with discrimination and racism, and their hand maiden, poverty, actually turning into practice.

I'm not all together sure why this should be the case, though I do get the impression the many good, or at least well meaning MP's, are hamstrung by a cabal of very chippie old men, who's politics and their roots bear very little relation to present-day Bermudan issues. I may be wrong about that. Though given what the opposition, as represented in various posts on threads here, can trot out as racial facism masquerading as the Reasonable Truth, maybe those chips are still very necessary.

Hvaing said this, I am surprised by the level of anger I see vented against the PLP. Given that this is usually in the form of carping/ whinging/condescending, perhaps the government Bermuda's got is as good as it deserves, if all a lot of people can do is try and score cheap political points and offer nothing positive to the debate.

Too many people seem so happy to allow the PLP to meet, (in their eyes) all their negative expectations, to ever have a thought as to how things might be better, other than of course, on their terms.

Whilst I'd agree that the PLP don't seem to be one of god's great governments, this is as much to do with a constituency which is quite happy for the staus quo to remain exactly as it is, because it loves to whinge in its own self-righteousness.

The reason things dont change isn't just because there may be a number of self-serving fools in government. Maybe there's just as many of those off the hill.

[selkieman on 17.07.06 at 14:13]

I also dont see much changing for the better until some kind of re-alignment happens in the party political system, and barring coups and military takeovers, that's only going to happen if there's the groundswell of opinion on the ground to make it happen. And only then if it manages to coalesce into a coherent form that can take policy development and implementation forward, and leave the politics of the past behind. Given the 'dialogue' presently going on between the parties and their constituents, it seems to me, that it's all a bit of a Catch-22 thing.

Given the diverse polity of the island, I also dont see this happening without a great deal of hard work from some very committed individuals who could actually unite the whole of Bermuda to its agenda for change. The way the present party system operates means, I think, that appeal to unity isnt going to come from the present poltical class, without some major changes of alliegance from all its members.

I'd like to hope, that a number of the more spontaneous workings of democracy in Bermuda recently will form a 'seed-bed' for a new kind of politics on the island, but then I like to hope.... I know individuals personally, and there are clearly a lot more, who have the skills and talents to move the political debate forward, but they have to be able to come together as a coherent force.

I think what I'm trying to say is that perhaps Bermuda needs a kind of politics that is not only committed to the means of achieving equality, but by its practice and discourse, actively encourages that cultural and social equality.

...right finished for a wee while....

[Onion on 17.07.06 at 14:53]

Tony B says:

"Hey vote for a party that is all inclusive , that embraces whites, blacks, portuguese, italians etc...."

Great!!! And what is this party called?

[ABP on 17.07.06 at 16:04]

"They will continue to act like racial terrorists until we as true united Bermudians reralize their tactics for what they are."

Harsh words for a party that was voted in by most of us Bermudians. I didn't know we were voting in terrorists. We cannot put the blame solely on Government for the racial tension that exists on the island. As a matter of fact, I'd like for anybody to tell me where on this planet racism doesn't exist in one form or another. We as people have to take more responsibility in educating the younger generation about racism and what we can do to make things better for us here which is not going to be an easy process.

[eh on 17.07.06 at 16:54]

"I didn't know we were voting in terrorists."
Posted by ABP on 17.07.06 at 16:04

Well, don't feel bad. You probably didn't know what you were signing when that referendum petition thingy was brought around either.

[charles on 17.07.06 at 17:08]

We cannot put the blame solely on Government for the racial tension that exists on the island.
ABP

While the present government is not responsible for starting racial tension they have gone above and beyond when it comes to stirring it up. Perfect example is the last election. Everyone knows that the PLP used race as an instrument of diversion and fear. This is your leadership, the ones you people are supposed to look to for direction are they not? How are you supposed to see your way clear of the race issue if they continue use race as a tool to keep the weak minded in line? Preying on past fears that many people still harbor is a terrible game to play. Looks like the sunshine they promised you has been obscured by clouds. They will never sign a code of conduct because it is not in their interest to do so.

Educating your youth is a great place to start but unless you can level the playing field across the board to give them equal access to what they see the white man has sooner or later it will fail.

[The Right Reverend Uncle Elvis on 17.07.06 at 18:53]

"As a matter of fact, I'd like for anybody to tell me where on this planet racism doesn't exist in one form or another."

My house. *grin*

[ABP on 18.07.06 at 13:26]

"Well, don't feel bad. You probably didn't know what you were signing when that referendum petition thingy was brought around either."

LOL. Exactly, one of the reason why I didn't sign it.