July 30, 2013Dear Sir,The article by Sam Strangeways on the African Diaspora Heritage Trail (Royal Gazette July 25, 2013) is written in a in a certain context, one that is very legitimate for a reporter. It is a concern about taxpayers’ money and how it is being used. I would like to make a comment on ADHT in an entirely different context. It is in the context of the experience of Africans in the diaspora. I cannot speak for David Allen who introduced the concept and, of course, he cannot speak for himself. I do know, however, that he went to Africa at a very young age, precollege. When he returned he wrote several articles on Africa. Although he was white, his articles were very different in tone, tenor and content than material, — sparse as it was — that was appearing about Africa at the time in Bermuda, all of which painted a totally negative and demeaning image of Africa, so much so that most black Bermudians ignored and denied any connection with Africa, particularly since it was their African blood which had justified their enslavement and their later segregation and, even now, too often, their subtle discrimination.Thus it was no real surprise to me that, as Tourism Minister he found reasons, whatever they were, to conceive the idea of ADHT, in an effort to encourage tourism between those in the African diaspora. It was an interesting concept since there would be both differences and similarities in these experiences. The fact that the concept seemed to die with him, even though we had a Progressive Labour Party Government, is also not surprising. It did not die, it slumbered until the ascendancy of Dr Ewart Brown to Minister of Tourism. I do not think that anyone who has invested themselves in the concept has been satisfied with the extent that the concept has had so far in the area of Tourism exchange. However, considering the psychological barriers which have to be overcome in the face of the kind of racist propaganda concerning anything to do with Africa that should not be a surprise. In addition, the shortage of resources among those in the African diaspora may also be a contributing factor.The kind of psychological damage that racism has done to many black people can be illustrated by the recent attitude reflected by the remarks of Member of Parliament Sylvan Richards. He is black. He can see the economic disparity between the two communities and the many social problems that have been inflicted on the black community as a result of decades of racism, yet he is dismissive, even contemptuous, of the continuing struggle of those blacks who continue to seek equality and justice, by saying “Blackity Black stuff”. What other group of people would be so contemptuous of their own for trying to seek justice?The ADHT speaks to this very psychological illness. The concept has begun to have very tangible benefits for those who have invested themselves in the concept. It has motivated those who have been involved to begin to research, document and value their own history. In the process it has begun to give them a sense of pride in their own history and an appreciation for their African heritage and its contribution to world history. If the Bermudian taxpayer has made a contribution to that, irrespective of its more limited impact on tourism than we would wish, it is most appropriate, particularly since the taxpayer has always contributed to the demeaning of those of us in the African diaspora, this includes any contribution that may have been made to the conferences which have provided an exchange of ideas and experiences that have been educational and stimulating as we face ongoing challenges. It brings together professionals from tourism ministries, education, conservation, museum archives and cultural and scientific organisationsMany Bermudians, white or black, may not have the insight to care. But others in the wider world do. UNESCO cherishes the work of the ADHT because it supports UNESCO’s two main programmes: The Slave Route and the World Heritage Convention which are intended “to testify against one of the long occulted (or concealed) crimes against humanity”. UNESCO wishes to break the silence and to make known universally the continuing implications of this crime. Those of us who have invested in ADHT do hope that with the recent changes that have been made in the leadership there will be greater returns in all of these areas. In any case, any taxpayers’ money that has been invested in this concept has been well spent not only for those of us in the African diaspora but for our entire community, particularly if it can continue to grow and give blacks the kind of pride and sense of self worth that will prevent them from being so self destructive. That will benefit the entire community by reducing our prison population and creating more productive citizens.EVA N HODGSONCrawl