“I believe the children are our future

Teach them well and let them lead the way

Show them all the beauty they possess inside

Give them a sense of pride to make it easier

Let the children’s laughter remind us how we used to be”

— Whitney Houston

The past week in Bermuda has been a living history and civics lesson for the entire island. The controversial proposed immigration legislation brought by the Dunkley administration has exposed the stark divide that prevails between Bermuda’s collective communities.

On Sunday, March 13, a massive amount of persons in support of the Pathways to Status gathered at the Cabinet grounds for a candlelight vigil. Among those gathered were hundreds of children and young adults doing what people in their respective age groups do best.

• Play with each other

• Chase each other

• Show each other something on their mobile phones

Each one of their parents felt that this was an important and historic event at which to bring their children. Their children, for whom they want nothing but the best in the future. Their children, for whom they will sacrifice daily for the rest of their lives. For them, both that event and the legislation are dear to their hearts

On Monday, March 14, a massive amount of people in support of comprehensive bipartisan immigration reform gathered at the House of Assembly for a day that redefined Bermudian history. Among those gathered were hundreds of children and young adults doing what persons in their respective age groups do best.

• Play with each other

• Chase each other

• Show each other something on their mobile phones

Each one of their parents felt that this was an important and historic event at which to bring their children. Their children, for whom they want nothing but the best in the future. Their children, for whom they will sacrifice for daily for the rest of their lives. For them, both that event and the legislation are dear to their hearts

One would think that the commonalities would draw these two groups together. Yet the ugly truth is that this legislation has driven these two groupings as far apart as east is from west.

On the grounds of the House of Assembly were hundreds of parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, aunties, uncles, godpas and godmas.

When asked why were they there sacrificing their pay, the common answer from them was that they were here to stand up for Bermudian children the same way as their forefathers had to stand up and fight for Bermudian children over the past 400 years.

One lady stated that she could not believe that, at the age of 70, she would have to be on the front lines, prepared to be arrested or face the Royal Bermuda Regiment. Yet, for her offspring, she was prepared to face these consequences, as she did not want her “grands” to be shut out of the opportunity to have a job and to purchase a home in their own country.

On Monday, it was revealed via a leaked e-mail that One Bermuda Alliance MP Leah Scott had spoken to the eminent pitfalls that this legislation would have on Bermudian children. One notable part resonated with thousands of Bermudians.

“It is completely dishonest for Minister Fahy to say that our Bermudian children and future generations will not be affected by this legislation. The reality is that there are PRC holders who have children. They will be granted status and their children will become Bermudian. The reality is that the majority of PRCs are white. The majority of PRCs will be fairly well connected. Accordingly, it is those Bermudians who will get the jobs, thereby displacing our Bermudian children.”

With thousands of Bermudians unemployed, countless mothers and grandmothers are shedding tears at the prospect of their children being displaced in their own country.

Much effort has been put out by the OBA and others to emphasise that children of permanent resident’s certificate holders should get to remain in Bermuda in order to vote, work and buy property.

Yet, as one lady summed it up on Facebook, what about Bermudian children?