Go home expat!!

There’s a new anti-expat leaflet being circulated. This one is a little nastier than those that have come before.

The message starts in a way likely to make many recipients nervous:

“We’ve been watching and we know you are not Bermudian. You don’t look Bermudian and you don’t sound Bermudian.”

The message continues by accusing the recipient of taking food, jobs, housing, space, school places, and “our sons and daughters” from Bermudians. He’s blamed for causing fatherless homes, divorce, declining family values, and traffic congestion. Amusingly, the flyer even accuses him of “[hogging] all the best parking spaces, making grassroots Bermudians to get [sic] parking tickets we can’t pay!!!”.

There’s nothing amusing about this though:

“Don’t be surprised if your tyres are slashed or your family pet goes missing one day. You push us into a corner we don’t get out of.”

And the coup de grace:

“We were born here and don’t have any place to go. You can go to England, Canada, States or other white countries. Go out and leave Bermuda for Bermudians!!!”

A reader contacted me earlier today after finding this on his car, which was parked on Parliament Street. He said his car seemed to be the only one with this message on it, suggesting that he had been singled out. "The funny part is that in the letter they complain that I'm clogging up the roads with my CRV and Spacewagon and yet they put the note on my tiny 'A' class Suzuki Wagon R!" he said.

The kicker? He's not an expat. He's a white Bermudian.

Comments

[SmokingGun on 20.09.06 at 18:38]

If it's the only leaflet hopefully it's just a sick joke from a stupid friend. If it's being put on cars in bulk then I would hope that someone would be contacting the police and reporting who it is.

[Adjustah on 20.09.06 at 18:39]

Disgusting. Absolutely disgusting.

[cassandra on 20.09.06 at 18:40]

This is the natural outgrowth of this government's dangerous rhetoric. Set the agenda and let the brownshirts do the dirty work. What's next?

[loki on 20.09.06 at 18:47]

See, I said last week on this site that for some people 'foreign' and 'ex-pat' is interchangable with 'white'. There's only one word to describe someone who'd write such hateful drivel: it begins with 'c' and ends in 't' and isn't 'cricket'.

[Kate on 20.09.06 at 18:48]

It's doing the job for me - I feel sick and nervous and would like to get on a plane tonight.

The last paragraph makes it clear that it's about colour as much as nationality

[kristen on 20.09.06 at 19:06]

Kate: That's exactly what they want. So don't. Please.

I hope those CCTV cameras are on in the parking lots. How dare s/he / they do this.

Cat of nine tails and a good lesson in economics, I say. This is chilling, and how dare the Government not make any statements on this. I also suggest that until these flyers stop, public places like parking garages and parks need to have a stronger police presence.

[Triforce on 20.09.06 at 19:13]

It's a completely sickening message, born of ignorance and directed at the wrong recipients.

[Slowhand on 20.09.06 at 19:40]

I'd really like to catch the person/persons actually placing these flyers, so that I can point out what is so wrong and ignorant about them.

[Full Fullish on 20.09.06 at 20:01]

Slowhand, I'd do one better, I'd take their picture with their cameraphone, post it on my blog, and then send it to the rest of the blogs and newspapers

[Martin on 20.09.06 at 20:12]

The only thing that worries me about this...is that it may gather momentum.

It may just be one person at the moment, but there must be more than one disgruntled Bermudian out there.

Very worrying.

[Can't Complain (I can & I do - frequently) on 20.09.06 at 20:16]

The first 'Expats' arrived in 1612 AD. They shoulda stopped em then.

:-)

[Martin on 20.09.06 at 20:22]

Can't Complain..

You know - you are right.

If we had stopped 'em then - you wouldn't be here.

Amen to that.

[abc on 20.09.06 at 20:26]

Kristen,

The Premier issued a statement earlier this week totally decrying these statements and the messages contained therein.

[Kev on 20.09.06 at 20:33]

Where does this person find the time to do these things.. I'm guessing they don't have a job.

Just to state, I am a Bermudian, and this guy is a loon.

[Paper Bermudian on 20.09.06 at 20:46]

I'm doing this up:

FRIGG YOU BERMUDIANS!!

You effing Bermudians.
You think you are Royalty?

Surprise me:
Try showing up for work on time.

Or

If its raining:
Try showing up at all.

Or

If you are really ambitious,
Try doing the job you are paid to do.

Or.

Try saving your money for a house
instead of buying a $100,000 car.

Or.

If you're unemployed:

Try getting a job that might be beneath you
instead of moaning about foreigners who are
brought here by other BERMUDIANS.

[Phil on 20.09.06 at 21:01]

SmokingGun

It's not the only leaflet. Someone else found one on their car in Bull's Head, apparently. Didn't see any there when I went back to my car this evening though.

[Sherlock on 20.09.06 at 21:12]

I would not be the least bit surprised if this was some kind of political scam. Something about the way it reads just doesn't sound right. If this was a really pissed off black or white Bermudian, it would be much worse and more offensive. It reads like a social studies experiment.

[Can't Complain (I can - and I frequently do). on 20.09.06 at 21:16]

The majority of 'unemployed' Bermudians, are those who can somehow afford not to work (check with our polititions for confirmation).

Ok so Jinks is an exception, along with the other guy who always asks me for money in town.

The rest, ain't unemployed in the true sense.

Get a friggin job at Ice Queen!!!!!

Or packin groceries at Market Place.

Or washing dishes at a restaurant.

......Umum, no man. I should be working

Axall wiff all dem Limeys..........

[Limey Ket on 20.09.06 at 21:29]

When I arrived here in 1968 from the UK, I was repeatedly spat upon by black school kids, beaten up on the #3 bus, and instructed to 'fit in' by my parents.

This is nothing new.

[island dweller on 20.09.06 at 21:30]

Umm.... did anyone miss that the PLP said black empowerment? This is one aspect of it - speaking out without fear of retribution. Just like Renee did and Ewart Brown does.

The PLP have to support this thinking. Continously they have demonstrated that the end justifies the means. You can see this in Tourism, Education, Immigration and Environment.

Question for you all, if this flyer had one of the Brian's face on it and had a threatening statement attached to it, do you think the government would actually send a detective out and find the persons?

We don't have any place for hate crimes in our community (even the treat of it). We do however have tolerate ignorance as it is the balance to wisdom.

[Sandgroman on 20.09.06 at 21:37]

ID is correct. However, when we get people blaming their own non performance on racism it helps nobody.

[Conundrum on 20.09.06 at 21:51]

What an enormous fuss over nothing! I just listened to Scott Simmons on the evening news and it turns out these posters are nothing more threatening than the beginning of the new PLP election campaign for the soon to be called general election. He confirms more posters will soon follow helping us all to understand the definition of 'Plantation Questions' and how to 'Get Over' any concerns we may have about destroying a bunch of old trees and building some really impressive concrete buildings that will of course enhance our state of 'good health'
And of course if all else fails it's important for us all to remember that the ruling party dictatorship "don't care what you think" after all with all the 'Finders Fees' they are growing fat off the fruit of the land!
And what is all this nonsense about 'white Bermudians' - I don't think so! White people are nothing more than Foreigners. Long live the republic of Scottland!

[Harumph on 20.09.06 at 21:52]

dear expats, pls marry bermudians and widen our gene pool.

[Two Cents on 20.09.06 at 22:09]

As a Bermudian (albeit Status Bermudian) I am appalled by this campaign of hatred that has surfaced lately (or become more prominent lately).

Someone, somewhere knows who is behind these flyers, and I wish they would have the balls to stand up and "name and shame" this/these hate mongers. I doubt that someone printed off hundreds of these flyers at Print Express, Chameleon, etc. It was probably printed off by someone at the office that they clean or something.

I am not a lawyer, perhaps Loki or another legal mind can let us know what laws are being broken here. It seems too offensive / threatening to be legal. We should start a fund to offer a reward to who ever turns in this coward.

[Copper on 20.09.06 at 22:16]

Once again the number one threat to Bermuda is emphasized.

Drugs.

‘Cause if that ain’t some crack induced pile of inane ranting I don’t know what is.

Now if somebody would please go and arrest Colonel Burch’s speech writer for moonlighting we can all get with life.

[loki on 20.09.06 at 22:26]

"I am not a lawyer, perhaps Loki or another legal mind can let us know what laws are being broken here. It seems too offensive / threatening to be legal. We should start a fund to offer a reward to who ever turns in this coward."

I would imagine that this falls under the Stalking Act, first and foremost, and there's probably something in the Criminal Code and/or Summary Offences Act regarding threats made in writing intended to cause fear or alarm.

[Jamaican Q on 20.09.06 at 23:11]

The humour continues!!

[Carol Shuman on 21.09.06 at 00:02]

How many of these leaflets have turned up at this point? Does anyone know? If only a few, it's a nut. If several, it's a hate crime, harassment, and something to report to the Human Rights (albeit what is left of it) Commission. The Constitution guarantees safety to anyone in Bermuda, not to a select few. Also, I am amused by the "you can go somewhere else." So can Bermudians, if they fill out simple papers to get rights in the EU. The whining becomes rather a drone. If this is minor, it should be ignored. If not, it should be prosecuted. My gripe is with the fact that so little is investigated thoroughly and even less prosecuted. Moreover, when it has to do with non-Bermudians, even less is investigated or prosecuted in my opinion.

[Triforce on 21.09.06 at 00:25]

Paper Bermudian - that would be a terrible response. It's offensive to many of us and would only escalate the tensions.

And regarding the source of the flyers, we can't make any assumptions that it came from someone using the printer at the office that they're cleaning - it could be anyone, really.

I do hope somebody's investigating this situation as a matter of urgency, because if left unchecked the next set of flyers could be attached to a brick.

[Alex on 21.09.06 at 04:26]

Loki - during that little court/law thing (on Sunday?) on 107.5 they had a discussion about this. Someone called in (following the first circulation) and asked if it was illegal. The hosts said it was merely someone voicing an opinion; something that 'Bermudians' - until recently - have not been able to do. They then went on to say that it WASN'T breaking any laws or whatnot because they weren't threatening. He used a different word - began with 'i' - can't for the life of me remember what it was, though.

The hosts then went on to say that, whilst they didn't agree with it - they didn't object to it either. It only 'stirs' as much as LiB or BermudaSucks does.. and that somehow justifies it.

I'd love to put a little anti-'Bermudian' note on their windshield, just to see how they'd react.

Not with quite so much indifference, I would imagine.

[Chen on 21.09.06 at 05:13]

Bermuda law does place restrictions on the type of material that can be published. Section 8A of the Human Rights Act provides:

(1) No person shall, with intent to excite or promote ill will or hostility against any section of the public distinguished by colour, race or ethnic or national origins -

a. Publish or display before the public, or cause to be published or displayed before the public, written matter which is threatening, abusive or insulting …

Being matter or words likely to excite or promote ill will or hostility against that section on grounds of colour, race or ethnic or national origins.

(2) No person shall, with intent to incite another to commit a breach of the peace, or having reason to believe that a breach of the peace is likely to ensue, do any act calculated to excite or promote ill will or hostility against any section of the public distinguished by colour, race or ethnic or national origins.

(3) In this sections …

b. the expression “written matter” includes any writing, sign or visible representation.

[Pitts Bay on 21.09.06 at 05:57]

Chen - looks like that same provision that provides that Radio is not publishing! Notwithstanding, one would think that this would cover this person(s)

Pitts Bay

[loki on 21.09.06 at 07:13]

"Loki - during that little court/law thing (on Sunday?) on 107.5 they had a discussion about this. Someone called in (following the first circulation) and asked if it was illegal. The hosts said it was merely someone voicing an opinion; something that 'Bermudians' - until recently - have not been able to do. They then went on to say that it WASN'T breaking any laws or whatnot because they weren't threatening. He used a different word - began with 'i' - can't for the life of me remember what it was, though."

Alex, they are quite with regard to the various notices prior to the most recent one, but the most recent notice goes further and makes overt threats.

[Tiger Bay on 21.09.06 at 07:43]

Signs were left on Parliament Street? Wherebouts? Outside Minister Burch's office or down by the Police Station? Just asking.

[Bob Lablaw on 21.09.06 at 07:59]

These pamphlets remind me of certain other propaganda exercises that ended badly

http://library.thinkquest.org/12307/media/73664.jpg

[The Don on 21.09.06 at 08:58]

Surely there's an incitement to hatred law being broken here? There's latent threats to slash tires and kidnap / kill pets. The police must get involved. If this was aimed at any other single societal grouping (Koreans? Women? Blacks?) the reaction would be somewhat different I'd imagine.

If I was being cruel, I'd suggest this person must have been robbed of a school place, at least in English classes...

[Tony B on 21.09.06 at 09:18]

YES....These anarchists need to be tracked down by the police....and locked up

[Tony B on 21.09.06 at 09:26]

The next race plan for STIRRING IT UP is probably well under way with the present dictators trying to figure how how to win yet another election....

OH YEAH...Hey Brothers we'll turn up the RACE rhetoric and get de youth all wriled up....

We ainn't heard nothing yet...just wait...
BUT I hope my brother Wayne Furbert and the NEW UBP will Fight Fire with Fire...as the past UBP have approached elactions like "AFTERNNON TEA"....all too polite....

Get in the trenches boys....

[Smiths on 21.09.06 at 09:46]

Don...

I too was wondering whether they use Excell at Excell. Bet O'Hara must be delighted.

[Darkside on 21.09.06 at 09:49]

Loki ... its section 199 of the Crim Code ... only applies to women being threatened though ... sigh ... again I call for some of these Acts to be brought into the 20th century at least let alone the 21st.

[stuart J Hayward on 21.09.06 at 10:02]

This type of aggression is predictable in social communities when the population density is approaching a threshold.

That said, no one should be subjected to hate and fear of this type. I abhor these leaflets and apologise on behalf of my fellow Bermudians (or most of them, at least) for the anguish they cause.

[observor on 21.09.06 at 10:30]

For the idiot dumbass author(s) of the flyer it's XL.

[Trimonious on 21.09.06 at 11:13]

We're all preaching to the choir. THe overwhelming majority of Bermudians do not think like this - despite the bellicose rhetoric of those presently in power. How do we change this mindset? It is written out of passion and misplaced anger so it is not going to be logic that saves us.

This person is angry because they can't afford a house and can't make enough money to enjoy a good standard of living. You can accuse them of being lazy or spending incorrectly without evidence. The facts are that it IS difficult to afford a home and a good standard of living even when you are working hard at the best job you can get. If you are a single mother working your heart out in an administrative position for $40,000 a year, life is hard.

I am not defending the vile, despicable rant but i would just ask you to keep in mind that, although this is an ignorant, vicious leaflet, it does not (necessarily) mean the person is lazy or allocates their resources poorly. Those are racist assumptions. It is also important to emphasize that this is a VERY vocal but very small portion of the population.

[observor on 21.09.06 at 11:40]

it does not (necessarily) mean the person is lazy or allocates their resources poorly. Those are racist assumptions.

Sort of exactly like your own comments ...

[Raptor on 21.09.06 at 11:41]

Trimonious, good post. However, there are just a couple of rants on this thread such as you describe. I've read many more that recognize the current economic pressures on so many Bermudians.

[Rossini on 21.09.06 at 12:10]

Let's be clear....the flyers are simply wrong. They abusive and have no place in this community. But Trimonious is exactly right. Whoever this is is living in a community whose history is the preference of the foreigner over the Bermudian. That history is repeating itself as we see foreigners at the head of Prisons, at the top of the police heirarchy (Asst. Commissioner)and the list goes on....add to that the economic pressures which see a young family earning over $100k annually unable to buy a home versus either subsidised housing for ex-pat colleagues or salaries adjusted with housing allowances for them, and you have a recipe for resentment.

My hope is that this person can find a better way to express them selves as to generalise and target someone personally is equally as unjust.

Observor you add fuel to the fire with ridiculous comments like your last.

[Tiger Bay on 21.09.06 at 12:16]

Rossini, the equation is not as simple as foreigner vs Bermudian. In some situations, it is in the interest of the community to hire the best person for the job, no matter if they are Bermudian or not.

(I am also an advocate of finding ways to escalate management training of Bermudians, both here and particularly overseas).

[Tiger Bay on 21.09.06 at 12:17]

For the record Rossini, I also hate the housing allowances; they are a major contributor to our inflation.

[Darkside on 21.09.06 at 12:46]

Housing allowances ... and the greed of Bermuda's landlords ... both factors have contributed to unaffordable rents for most Bermudians.

[Copper on 21.09.06 at 12:48]

Awful, dreadful, terrible, but....

But nothing.

James Earl Ray did a bad thing, BUT?

Hitler was a bad guy BUT?

But nothing. There is no defense for this kind of ignorant hate mongering.

This person/s needs to found and arrested and sent to jail.

Treating this as a minor petty thing and showing indifference allows this sick way of thinking to foster and grow.