Why these indignities?

November 16, 2010

Dear Sir,

I was recently reminded, once again, of how deep seated and wide spread is the pathology of black relationships, when I went to see the Scotsboro Boys Musical/Play. For those who may not know it is the story of unabashed brutal injustice inflicted on a group of young black boys in the South.

I was a few minutes late for the performance. A young black usherette was holding the door to the section tightly closed. Two other black women were also waiting – passively. I promptly asked if we might stand inside the door until a break which I knew was usually possible. The young woman did not budge. When a break did come and she opened the door, there, in front of us, on the inside, was a crowd of white people who were waiting for the break to be seated. They, too, had been late but she had permitted them to wait on the inside! When I gave the usherette a stunned questioning look she stammered: "I didn't know if there was room" which I believe was blatantly untrue.

Worse than that, my seat was just on the inside which I could have taken without disturbing anyone – and I would have done so if I had been white – or if, alternatively, she had been white!

As I reflected on the incident I was reminded of the day, in the Department of Education, I had entered an office where a young black secretary was clearly busy and did not look up when I entered. But a few minutes later when a white colleague entered, she promptly stopped what she was doing, looked up and said: "Excuse me, I will be with you shortly."

Why is it blacks can inflict on each other little indignities and insults which they would never inflict on whites for whom they have far too much consideration?

These small insults and indignities which we inflict on each other are often far more telling than the overt hostilities and hatred that blacks express toward each other, or the vindictive little pettiness which those with power inflict on those they do not like, or disagree with. There has often been far more skill in inflicting penalties than on finding ways to include those who do not matter!

Black Bermudians have not been prepared to directly address this pathology which has become more damaging as the black Community has splintered not only over politics but as the very result of the economic and political success of some Blacks. Eugene Robinson has written a book on the splintering of Black America. I have not read it because I found it too depressing as I suspect there are similarities between the USA and Bermuda.

Clearly the PLP has never been successful in making all black people feel that the PLP victory was their victory, although they had all felt the exclusion and oppression. There may be many reasons for this but one reason for this is certainly because black politics are not only racial they are also personal.

The most significant advantage that I see to this Premier's expanded Cabinet is that there will be an increase in the number of voters, no matter how limited, who will feel that they have some access to the real seat of power.

The sense among many blacks of not being represented or of still being "excluded" is reinforced by the very nature of the Westminster System. If President Obama is confessing that he emphasised policy to the exclusion of other aspects of governing, to his detriment, it is even more true of the PLP.

While the economy, jobs – and drugs are all relevant to the disintegration of the black community and the sense of exclusion among those at the margins of the society (sometimes they are not at the margins but at the centre), attitudes are even more relevant. The "underclass of illiterate, violent young men" did not emerge overnight. They were once little black children with black parents who, in spite of their hopes, continued to feel undervalued and without worth despite the victories of the PLP and the emergence of economically and politically successful Blacks. The tide that lifted some did not lift all.

In the 60s and 70s, blacks demanded that whites understand that Bermuda's good fortune had to be shared with blacks, but in the 1990s and thereafter, those blacks who have shared in Bermuda's good fortune have failed to ensure that all blacks were included or at least that concern was being expressed by the fact that they were not being included. We are paying the price for this indifference towards that vast majority who were not Included.

At one time we needed to register annually in order to vote. The PLP changed that to accommodate what they knew about black Bermudians. In the same way we need to find another way to govern ourselves because of what we know about ourselves. The Westminster system with its divisiveness and exclusiveness reinforces the pathologies of the black Community. We must find another way to govern ourselves.

EVA N. HODGSON

Hamilton Parish

A new beginning ... but

November 17, 2010

Dear Sir,

As a long-time visitor, former resident and recent visitor to Bermuda, I was present on the island to witness the election of the new Premier, Paula Cox which I applaud.

Like many Bermudians, expatriates, and visitors though, there must have been a collective sign of relief at the departure of Ewart Brown. And as Watching from Paget stated in a most recent letter to the Editor, the former Premier left an legacy that soon will not be forgotten or forgiven.

Watching states his position of the former Premier of leaving the island with huge debt, reinforced racial division, an atmosphere of lawlessness by government and Dr. Brown, a civil service which is not civil, educational turmoil, and "an I'm here for me" attitude. A rational person would find these accomplishments unacceptable.

My question to the incoming Premier and her Government is quite obvious. When is someone going to begin an investigation into the problems with capital projects and other issues raised by the Auditor General?

The Throne Speech alluded to the new Premier putting teeth into improving/restoring the Island's image.

Only when Bermudians have answers to these questions will the new PLP government be embraced by the country and a new beginning will take place on the road to recovery.

I will be watching with Watching from Paget.

GEORGE COLESWORTHY

Fairfield, Connecticut

Drug testing MPs

November 10, 2010

Dear Sir,

The issue of Government leaders being drug testing has emerged from the ashes of the past.

This BDA call for the Parliamentarians to be drug tested came from the old UBP supporters using the stereotype of the PLP as being a bunch of drug users and dealers. Mr. Editor, this old stereotype of black people being drug users and the idea that white people are not drug users is just not true. There are many white professional people on this island that are slaves to drugs. Many white users support drug dealers.

However, Parliamentarians should be free from illegal drugs because they travel and represent the country and can't be seen to be involved with illegal activity which would reflect badly on our country. We are not a third world country of gangsters and drug dealers and tax cheats!

The PLP government has made policy since 1998 and its refusal to make drug testing mandatory will inevitably lead to the accusation that a drug problem in the Party stops them from drug testing.

It's important for parliamentarians and Civil Servants to be drug tested to show that this PLP government is against illegal drugs where ever they may be found.

CHARLES SPANSWICK

City of Hamilton

Shop in Bermuda

November 17, 2010

Dear Sir,

Well, it's another dismal month in Bermuda retail. Can we survive? Maybe. But right now I'm just not ready to give up. Retail for me is a lot like my golf game; lousy. But all I need is that one drive, that one two putt and I'm back in the game. Throw the clubs away? Nah, tomorrow's another day. Like many retailers in Bermuda I am hoping that the Christmas mood will strike in the hearts and minds of Bermudians and they will shop. Shop like they mean it.

In The Royal Gazette today (November 17, 2010), one of the headlines announced a "slump in retail." For most of us in retail, this "slump" is more like the equivalent of being in the Chilean mine. We might be rescued by Christmas but not without your help. It's interesting to note that while all sectors of the Retail Sales Index were in serious decline, the only area to gain was in pharmaceuticals. I may be personally responsible for that increase as I spend most of my money on aspirin trying to alleviate the constant throbbing in my head. Retail in this economy is definitely not for sissies.

I do see that Bermudians are still spending a healthy amount of their hard earned dollars overseas. Consider this: every time you spend money overseas, you are contributing to another country's economy but not your own. Imagine how the reported $5.4 million dollars spent overseas for the month of September would have impacted the local economy. Perhaps a member of your family or neighbour wouldn't have been laid off. Perhaps your hours wouldn't have been reduced.

Heading north for the snow or Radio City Hall to see the Rockettes or taking the kids to see the Nutcracker? You'll have a ball and memories to keep. But think twice before you part with your money while abroad. Ask yourself whether it really makes sense to pay tax on your purchase (did you forget about that part?) and then 25 percent landed duty once you return home. It might just be that what you wanted or needed or in my case, deserve is right here in your own backyard.

I'm making my pledge right now to only buy Bermuda. I deserve those Jimmy Choo shoes in Lusso and I'm getting them. What about you? What will you buy locally and how will you keep your hard earned Bermuda dollars in Bermuda to support Bermudians?

ELAINE C. MURRAY

Director

The Irish Linen Shop

Altrusa gives thanks

November 15, 2010

Dear Sir,

On October 23, the Altrusa Club of Bermuda, along with its worldwide sister clubs and USA Weekend, celebrated "Make a Difference Day". The focus for the last ten years for Altrusa has been literacy and this year the local club teamed with St. George's Prep and East End Primary School students to raise awareness on the importance of literacy in the community.

On behalf of Altrusa Bermuda, I would like to take the opportunity, through this letter, to thank the public for their generosity in making this year's day very successful. Students from East End Primary and St. George's Prep were "rocking and reading" on the rocking chair at Shelly Bay Marketplace to raise awareness of reading and the vital part a school library plays in increasing literacy. Through their efforts and the information provided by Altrusa Club members over 50 hard cover books were donated by individual sponsors and divided equally among the two school libraries. Also, through the generous donations of change from members of the community we will be able to add more books to the libraries at these schools which form the East End Reading Initiative project.

Altrusa Bermuda would also like to express our gratitude to The Marketplace for allowing us to use their Shelly Bay location to highlight this literacy project and also to The Royal Gazette for their generous sponsorship of our notice in the daily paper.

Once again, our thanks to the community for their generosity in supporting literacy, the students who volunteered to read and their parents who transported them to and from Shelly Bay Marketplace. Last but not least to Mr Ivan Swan who provided much needed transportation of our tables, books and other items and also thanks to Mrs Alice Carr who assists in choosing the appropriate hardback books for placement in the school libraries. Without any of the above "Make a Difference Day" would not have been possible.

MARGEURITE I. LOVELL

President