CURB distances itself from Hodgson’s comments
CURB president Lynn Winfield has distanced the organisation from comments made by executive council member Eva Hodgson, who last week said that whites are not targeted by racism.
In an email, she told me:
“Dr. Hodgson has expressed her own opinion that blacks cannot be racist and whites are not targeted by racism. CURB believes that all races have the potential to exhibit racist behaviour and to be targeted by racism.”
However, she was also keen to praise Dr. Hodgson’s contributions to the fight against racism:
“Dr. Hodgson has for decades stood against racism, and is probably the most well-informed and learned person on the island with regard to racism in Bermuda and what it has done to black Bermudians and their psyche. Even if you disagree with her, one must recognize that she is a woman of principle who has suffered economically, professionally and emotionally because of her stance. At times she has been the only one in Bermuda willing to bring this issue to the forefront and this has taken enormous courage and perseverance.”
Encouragingly, Ms. Winfield indicated that CURB will speak out against politicians who use race as a political weapon:
“Whilst CURB's main focus will be towards the continuing racism experienced by persons of colour, we will weigh in on all forms of racial discrimination and will address all forms with equal fervour…I believe if CURB had been formed at [the time that Senator David Burch made his “house niggers” comment] CURB would have spoken out against the comment, and going forward if CURB sees politicians exploiting racial divisions for electoral gain we will speak out.”
About Ewart Brown’s recent suggestion that there was a perception that empowering blacks was “some sort of evil”, however, she said:
“I did not hear the whole speech as I only attended Saturday’s event, but another CURB member was present and when questioned by the CURB Council, she said that he gave the right speech, to the right people in the right environment. What she meant was that it was an international meeting and he was speaking to a majority black audience. As a white person she found the speech excellent and exactly right for the occasion and covered far more substance that the brief comment that you quote. She believes the media picked on the one element that was sensational and unfortunately ran with it. Before I or CURB can comment more fully we plan on reviewing the whole speech. However, if we are truly honest with ourselves, this particular quote contains a truth, as many whites are fearful of what black empowerment means for them and their future. This is why we need open and honest dialogue, because without it racism and racial misconceptions will continue to flourish.”
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Can't really argue with that. Makes sense to me.
Posted by NoVote on 16.10.06 at 21:08
Doc Hodgson appears blinded by her bitterness and is powerless in seeing her own possible failures or those of her own people.
Doc Brown is blinded by his ambition for power and refuses to let anyone see the real Bermuda.
Bermuda is a very small place and the effects people like Doc Hodgson and Doc Brown have on the island going forward can be astronomical. I hope they choose to put their egos aside and end the rhetoric spiel. If they have something inflammatory to say then they should stand up and explain it in detail and be willing to respond to questioning immediately. People will listen for only so long before their frustration sets in and they start to react back in negative ways.
These people choose to use the media to attack others or push their agendas and yet when they have an opportunity to openly discuss things on a forum such as this they cop out by either stating "I'll do it at election time" or "I don't know how to use a computer".
George Washington Carver had every right to be bitter and yet he chose to spend his whole life working on things that will make the world a better place for all. He stands in my books as one of life's greatest heroes. If all our so-called leaders of Bermuda had an ounce of what GWC had they would understand what's most important for Bermuda. Making the most of "everything" we have so our future generations can benefit and live in harmony.
Posted by SmokingGun on 16.10.06 at 21:32
Come on! Let's please have a reality check. As far as Eva Hodgson attitude is concerned, there is,and never has been (nor ever will be), any realistic racial rapprochement.
With respect to Ewart Brown's speech to the African Diaspora Conference, the Royal Gazette's comment that it was "disingenuous at best" is, to put it mildly,disingenuous at best!.
Posted by Daedalus on 16.10.06 at 21:34
There is none so blind - as those that do not want to see.
That said, we all do it from time to time, even if we know deep down what the truth and reality is.
Posted by Martin on 17.10.06 at 09:04
From: Lynn Winfield
To: Dr. Eva Hodgson
Message: CURB your enthusiasm.
Posted by SmokingGun on 17.10.06 at 11:11
CURB must uproot its own racists before it can even think of tackling Bermuda.
Posted by Michael Taylor on 17.10.06 at 11:17
"“Whilst CURB's main focus will be towards the continuing racism experienced by persons of colour, we will weigh in on all forms of racial discrimination and will address all forms with equal fervour…"
...like the 'Go Home Expat' leaflets? Person's of colour indeed. What if my colour happens to be white?
Well intentioned, but doomed to failure before they even started.
Posted by Adjustah on 17.10.06 at 14:08
No Eva.....this white bye was not targeted by racism....
"However I am sick and tired of listening to, and taking crap from people who look and sound like Brannon" - P
Oh that wonderful organization called HUMAN RIGHTS...said there was no case to answer...
Now that is NONE other than the current PREMIER of the PLP making a racist comment about a white man.
Note both the Chairman and the Chief Exec have since resigned: Rod Attride-Stirling and David Wilson...
What should piss off Bermy's even more, yes Black Bermy's, is when they use Plantation rhetoric in the 21st century in order to cause division amongst blacks such as that infamous COL telling all blacks that vote UBP ..."That the are HOUSE NIGGERS"....and let us not forget...the MAN WHO WOULD BE KING....has said vote UBP and you "vote yourselves back on the plantation".
Racism is indeed alive and well: Black against white. Black against Black (That shade issue some of them talk about) and White against Black.
But in political circles the racism is most alive and well with the PLP blacks against the UBP: Blacks and Whites !!
Posted by Tony B on 17.10.06 at 14:29
I thought her comments were fair (Winfield, not Hodgson!). As a "white" with family in South Africa and Zimbabwae, I can attest to the culture of fear surrounding a move towards black empowerment. I can also understand the mentality and residual anger of a long oppressed black populace as well. Unfortunately not enough of us are willing to try and understand one another and meet in the middle to try and move forward. I wish CURB well and hope that they do take action to condemn the "race card" usage in Bermuda's political scene - for we know that it will surface again as long as the Colonel and Doc Brown avoid real questions about real issues.
Posted by ian on 17.10.06 at 16:35