Where's the report?

February 10, 2009

Dear Sir,

Where is the integrity? Where is the transparency? Where is the accountability? Where is the genuine commitment to improving race relations in Bermuda? Over a year has passed since the foreign facilitators conducted "The Big Conversation". Yet, the participants in this conversation have never seen the final report. How can we effectively proceed to Part II of "The Big Conversation" if we are not aware of the recommendations made in the report of Part I? What is the hold-up? I suggest that we boycott "The Big Conversation" until we have access to the final report of Part I.

MURIEL M. WADE-SMITH, PhD

Smith's

Making a point

February 11, 2009

Dear Sir,

In today's article on the unveiling of the Sally Bassett statue, you quote Rolfe Commissiong as saying that the Governor's remarks were "insensitive and racially invidious", because the Governor drew a parallel between our statue and South Africa's Blood River Monument. It is unfortunate that Mr. Commissiong cannot see that there is more than one way to make a point.

As Government's race relations consultant, he has the unenviable job of helping our island understand the past and present of race relations. But, he only knows how to do this one way: by verbally whipping whites. Predictably, this is not getting the desired response from everyone; we all know that honey draws more flies than vinegar.

To me, the Governor was making the point that despite the atrocious events of apartheid, and the importance of the Blood River monument to apartheid's creators, even South Africa's post-apartheid government could see fit to leave the Blood Rver statue standing. And, if this is the case, whites in Bermuda can try to understand the importance of the Sally Bassett statue, even though they find it an unpleasant reminder of history.

DOUGLAS J. DECOUTO Ph.D., J.P.

Southampton

An apology is necessary

February 10, 2009

Dear Sir,

Dr. Eva Hodgson's essay about nation building (Royal Gazette, Saturday, January 24, 2009), sends an important message to any society with a history of racial segregation. Taking South Africa as an example: the dismantling of apartheid laws and the brutal system of legalised segregation in the early 1990s was followed by a spectacular era of transformation as a honeymoon period for the rainbow nation. Regrettably, almost two decades after Nelson Mandela walked out of Victor Vester prison, South Africa today still remains divided mainly along racial lines, and notions of superiority and entitlement are resurfacing. Undressing the social misfit of racism has proven to be more complex and challenging than anticipated, and many more layers remain as unofficial forms of privilege.

The topic of racism and talking about racism has become rather unpopular, and many stereotypes that sustain racial attitudes persist. Denial about the persistence of white privilege remains, together with indifference about the rapidly widening economic gap between extreme wealth and dire poverty. Before social and economic exclusion in any society affected by its racial past can be eliminated, acknowledgement and an apology are paramount, and have to come from the beneficiaries of the long term effects of white privilege. We have to, collectively as whites, guilty or not, face up and take responsibility for the injustices caused by our European ancestors for the sake of our children and future generations. Erasing this painful part of history and not talking about race, racism and the effects of segregation is an easy cop-out. Only with an apology can we be in a position to ''get over it and move on'', hopefully avoiding history to repeat itself.

DR. MILAN OLEKSAK

Smith's

Pricing blues

February 10, 2009

Dear Sir,

Today I decided to cook some chili for supper and after checking my cupboard, I discovered I did not have the main ingredient necessary for this popular culinary delight, the chili powder. So off I go to my favourite neighbourhood supermarket, Lindo's Family Foods on Middle Road in Warwick to purchase this necessity only to get the shock of (well one of them) my life. First of all, there were none of the usual brands of chili powder on the shelf and I asked one of the packers if there was any chili powder elsewhere.

She very nicely went away and came back with this little round plastic container that had a label on it saying, "Chili Powder Ready for the Super Bowl". I thanked her as I took the container from her, and it was then I got my shock. The first thing I noticed was how light the container was so I gazed at the price label, which said $3.30. I then turned the little plastic container over to see how much chili powder it contained, and would you believe, the amount didn't even fully cover the bottom?

I looked at the label again, and that's when I saw the unbelievable shocking price of $32.99 a pound! Can you believe that! $32.99 a pound for a spice to make what used to be one of the cheapest dishes in the world, chili? What I was holding in my hand was 1/10th of a pound of "Gold Dust Chili Powder"! Mr. Editor, what worries me is the fact that there are families out there who cannot afford the cost of many foods to feed their families – so what do they do? Fortunately, I can afford the $3.30 for 1/10th of a pound of chili powder, but what about the families who can't afford a healthy basket of food to feed their children? This is a sorry state of affairs and it is not getting any better. I wonder how long it will be before we have breadlines at the Salvation Army going around corners? By the way, Reynolds Heavy Duty Foil is up to $17 something a roll! The last one that I purchased was $7.39! Are Bermudians being taken for a ride — ripped off? What is happening here? I have the feeling that we are in for some very uncomfortable times.

PAT FERGUSON

Warwick

Keep pushing, Sen. Fahy

February 13, 2009

Dear Sir,

I would like to write to express my support and appreciation for the efforts of Shadow Minister for Transport, Senator Michael Fahy, to educate Bermudians about the proved benefits of installing speed cameras, speed bumps and random breath testing. I have been disappointed over and over again at the lack of leadership that Government has shown on the subject of road safety and general road conditions. Our roads are a source of frustration and far too many fatalities as well as increasing noise and air pollution. The perception that I have is that Government either doesn't care or is afraid to make unpopular decisions.

Bermuda is a small country with a limited number of main roads. If we have the electronic capabilities and finances to scan cars for overdue license fees then it seems ridiculous that we can't install speed cameras. It would be very effective to use cameras that can be moved randomly so that motorists assume that they are likely to be caught if they are speeding.

Motorists will continue to drive while impaired and drive above the speed limit if there is a good chance that they will not be caught.

In addition, Government should provide financial incentives for people to drive electric cars and bikes. These vehicles are significantly quieter and do not produce the emissions that existing traffic produces. I am not sure why the Bermuda government is so complacent about our environment and does not even enforce maximum emissions standards for vehicles.

There are many models we can study to determine which solutions will best suit our needs so why does it seem that nothing is being done? I was shocked to read that in 2008 Bermuda had almost twice as many road fatalities per capita than the US and more than five times than the UK. How can we allow this to continue?

JUDY MOTYER

Southampton