A son remembers his father, Mr Editor, and I do so today with his words, not mine. Rummaging this week through papers he gave me some time ago, I happened to come across a speech which I think he must have given 46 years ago, on the eve of the 1968 election, I believe — his first.

It helps explain, I think, how and why he came to be involved in politics. It is also reflective of the man and his times. The speech was relatively short (the Honourable F. John Barritt never believed you had to speak long to make your point, just clearly) and I share with you excerpts:

“Whenever I think of our Island home so richly endowed by our Creator I recall the quotation from Shakespeare by the late Neville Chamberlain when he visited Adolf Hitler in his lovely mountainside retreat, ‘where every prospect pleases and only man is vile’. I know you too must in your hearts share this view and if Bermuda cannot resolve its racial problems what place or country can? I do not propose to talk of other countries or history for that matter, the past in that situation, and any situation, is like a cancelled cheque and we must clearly stamp ours so that there will be no question in the minds of this community, or the world at large, where we stand: on the side of what is right!”

Dad likened the past to a cancelled cheque and while the past may be past he said this about our black brothers and sisters: “[They] are tired of being offered a ‘promissory note’ representing ‘the future’ — which has never had a specific redeemable date, but I want to make it clear that the date is NOW.

“This may be the last chance that this Party (and remember whether we like it or deserve it, we do have the ‘Front Street’, ‘white man’, ‘white power’ image) I repeat may, perhaps should say last chance ‘we will have’ to declare publicly by promised legislation in the forthcoming session of this House that, we as a party, are unreservedly committed to the fact that everyone in this community will have an equal chance regardless of race, creed or colour.

“As I have said before, and emphasise again, this is part and parcel of our platform to which you are committed. The members of the party, and more important, the electorate at large are waiting to see this implemented.

“The ‘present’ always represents ‘cash’ and the wise man invests it now and prudently. This community is ready to grow up, to mature, it deserves to do so and I do not refer to one section only, but to all.

“The people are looking to you in a potentially explosive situation to exert strong leadership. Give it to them and give it to them now. I was amazed to hear a man of colour the other evening say that he could not fully understand Black Power and all its implications coming to Bermuda. In a sense, none of us can and I do not want to be called an alarmist, or anything like that, but let’s look very quickly at our problem.

“Human nature being what it is, in any situation it’s easy to blame the ‘other fellow’ — we don’t have to hear about this, or read it — if we are absolutely honest, we see it in ourselves. Remember my story about ‘the problem’ --- that’s you, that’s me!”

My father acknowledged that our problems are compounded by that of race, followed by finger pointing as to who is to blame. Communication was a problem too.

“When and where there is no communication on the problem, (absolute honesty of communication) and some people have the inability to express their feelings --- worse when some can express theirs and the other side just will not listen --- they, the ‘other side’ think they must express themselves in a way that can be unmistakably heard — and what a tragedy this is — what an indictment of any community that calls itself civilised and/or Christian!

“Human beings can stand almost anything but indifference or unconcern, the thought that no one cares.”

And he continued: “You and I are faced with the fact that we are going to be either part of the problem or part of the solution. Where do you stand?

“I am not suggesting the public declaration of our intentions regarding legislation for civil rights will solve all our problems, but it will destroy the validity of the arguments of our most vocal opposition and will do much to make the election one of issues and not a completely emotional one — By doing the right thing (1) this election can be won and (2) given the right candidates, [people] of goodwill, any and all problems can be resolved in the next House. Think back to the changes that have taken place in recent years in desegregation of the theatres, restaurants, hotels, the increased job opportunities and many more changes that were viewed with great alarm by many people. I venture to say that these changes have fallen into place in most instances and where are prophets of doom? Other changes can and will take place in a similar manner, and given a reasonable climate or atmosphere in five years we shall look back on these changes with the same satisfaction.

“There is a verse in the Bible, which I believe to be the blueprint of life, which reads ‘where there is no vision the people perish’. We need to have ‘a vision’ of what our Island can be and we cannot afford to be self-satisfied with the progress to date and blind to the social injustices still with us. Other generations may be able to say they were never challenged to their full responsibilities but this generation can never say it.”

One last thought, he told his audience and his colleagues: “you have to trust the electorate on election day, trust them now.” Sound advice, Dad, as always.