Johnny Woolridge produced, with the help from many of Bermuda’s singing talent, the song ‘Proud to be Bermudian’ and every time it’s played I get chills up and down my spine.It is such an uplifting piece and its ‘hook’ so harmonic that it makes me wear my Bermuda smile more proudly whenever I hear it.However, recent events on the Island make me wonder whether a new song ought to be written and entitled, ‘Sad to be Bermudian’.The photo placed on page one of the daily and covered by the TV media showing a Bermudian male pointing his finger and “in the face” of our Premier, Craig Cannonier, is one such sad event.Whilst I am a strong supporter of one’s right to protest and get their point of view across, this should be done with civility and respect. Nothing is gained by being rude or offensive and such behaviour disrespect the legacy of those before us who sacrificed so much.There are, unfortunately, other recent episodes I wish to share which are just as embarrassing to us Bermudians.On the # 11 bus that departed Hamilton at 7pm for St George’s, two young Filipina ladies were disembarking off the bus, just past the Flatts area, when a Bermudian male decided to blurt out loudly for all to hear, ‘Foreigners should leave the Island and stop taking our jobs and get off this bus’.This verbal tirade and intimidation is not Bermudian. Did this man think for one moment that perhaps these two young ladies were married to Bermudians or for that matter mothers to young Bermudian children? No, of course he didn’t think, and that is the crux of the issue when people engage their tongue before the brain is in gear.The end result is never pretty and very distasteful and rude. Most of all, this behaviour is un-Bermudian.Lastly, Mr acting Editor, a good friend explained to me that whilst attending Church in the Shelly Bay area part of the pastor’s sermon took issue with the Government’s decision to abolish term limits.Now I don’t want to get into the debate of the separation of Church and State in this letter, but surely the Church can do better than this. In my opinion this pastor did not think a great deal about what he was saying, because his words made both the foreigners and a number of “level headed” Bermudians in the congregation most uncomfortable.I can only hope that some brave members of that congregation call aside this pastor and remind him that in God’s eyes everyone is equal; and that means in Bermuda also.Mr acting Editor, it is time to stop the foreigner bashing and hateful rhetoric. To those who persist I ask them to think of the following before they rant: Remember firstly that all of us were foreigners to Bermuda at one time throughout the Island’s history, and secondly, I want them to understand how much poorer Bermuda would be if the same anti-foreigner sentiment they exhibit existed years ago.Bermuda would not have our rich cultural history nor would we be the benefactor of efforts made by persons like Dr E.F. Gordon, Lois Browne Evans, Dr Barbara Ball, Dr Stanley Ratteray and Dr John Stubbs, etc.The list is as long as the 60,000 people who now grace our shores, so let’s please stop the hate and stand up to those who preach it.