US, yesterday challenged fellow Bermudians to find the good in each other and bring it out.

Speaking at the Somers Lioness Club's fourth anniversary brunch at The Princess yesterday, Mr. Dennis Rahim Watson said although he has a lot to complain about, he is tired of bickering and complaining.

And he said the problems that Bermuda's youth are facing are no different from the problems experienced by youth worldwide.

But, he said, Bermuda can help its youth by reminding them of their worth and allowing them to be all that they can be.

"Sometimes we see our children at the beginning -- at the caterpillar stage, not realising that they will go through metamorphosis and turn out to be great things,'' said the executive director of The National Black Youth Leadership Council in New York.

Although he was kicked out of school 37 times and fired from several local jobs, Mr. Watson has received more than 250 awards for his work with black youth across the US.

He has also received citations from several presidents including former US President Mr. George Bush who in a letter to Mr. Watson commended him for his contribution to America's youth and "for helping to sustain our national tradition of neighbour-helping-neighbour and for making a positive difference in the life of our community''.

And mayors in several cities -- including Atlanta and Washington D.C., have set aside a Dennis Rahim Watson day.

Yesterday Mr. Watson said other Bermudians could also receive such recognition if they hold on to the good they have learned from their mothers and grandmothers and if they show each other the kindness that they show to visitors.

"It is hypocritical and silly and borders on crazy not to be for each other what we are to everybody else,'' he said. "If you are gracious and kind to tourists, let us be that to ourselves.'' Mr. Watson also said Bermuda's youth need leadership and accountability, but most of all they need a sense of direction.

And he said a good place to start was by adults allowing them to be independent and creative as people like his Ord Road School teacher Mrs.

Gaynelle Robinson, Mrs. Dorothy Tatem, Mr. Mansfield Brock, Mr. Randy Horton, and Mr. Earl Hart allowed him to be.