I want to ask every young Bermudian reading this a simple question: why should you stay in Bermuda?

For decades, our leadership have given speeches about investing in our people, about creating opportunities for young Bermudians, about building a future where we can thrive. Yet, look around.

How many of your friends and family members have left because they simply could not afford to stay? How many of them wanted to raise their children here, but could not find a way to make it work? How many of them love this island but feel like it does not love them back?

Let’s be real: we know our cost of food is astronomical, our wages don’t match our expenses, the education system is atrocious, and homeownership has become an unattainable dream for most of us. But for the younger generations, it is not just about the cost; it’s about the culture of shame and hate that permeates Bermuda. We can be happy without being rich, but we can’t be happy in a country that stagnates our personal growth, dumbs down our children, shames us for wanting more for ourselves, and hinders our ability to advance and keep pace alongside the rest of the world. The social and cultural oppression in Bermuda stifles most, preventing them from fully embracing their identities and achieving their aspirations.

I do not think returning to Bermuda will be appealing to the younger generations until there is a cultural shift towards equity and positivity for all persons, no matter their age, colour, culture or ability. Until we foster an environment where everyone on this rock feels valued and respected, we will continue to lose the very people who could drive progress and innovation in our country.

Bermuda must get up to code with international United Nations and Commonwealth of Nations standards in areas such as human rights, social justice and sustainability. We are far behind on commitments that ensure fair treatment, economic equality and environmental resilience. If we truly want to move forward, we must hold ourselves accountable to the global benchmarks that promote a just and thriving society.

However, I believe that change is not something to be feared; it is something to be embraced. Our present administration and some persons from our older generations need to understand that progress does not mean erasing our history or values, but rather strengthening them. It is OK to evolve. It is OK to embrace new ideas while still respecting the traditions that make Bermuda unique. A more inclusive, forward-thinking Bermuda does not erase our heritage ... it protects it for future generations.

People in positions of power who continue fuelling the fires of segregation and racism need to stop. Do they not realise how damaging this is? So many of us are mixed-race and/or multicultural. Bermuda is an international melting pot. Mixed-race children and families were never meant to fit into a single mould; they are meant to be the agents of change because they see the world differently. We bring a broader perspective, a deeper understanding and a vision that transcends the outdated divides of the past. There isn't a Bermudian on this island that doesn’t have a mixed-race or multicultural relative, friend or is mixed themselves. We must stop allowing division to define us and instead embrace the richness of our diverse identities.

Young Bermudians are being pushed out of their own country — not by choice, but by necessity for their own mental health. And that should scare all of us. Because if we lose our young people, we lose our future. We lose our culture, our innovation and our ability to shape our own destiny.

So I ask again, children and youth of Bermuda, why should you stay?

I’ll tell you why I decided to stay and take one final stand.

I believe that it is time to turn our resilience into revolution! I have chosen to embrace the challenges and understand that without conflict, there can be no progress. Meaningful change comes from differing perspectives, deep discussions and mutual understanding. These are the tools the younger generations must use to push for policies that truly prioritise us all. We need real, actionable solutions that don’t just look good on paper but actually make life enjoyable for the average person. Here is a brief example of what some of those solutions could look like:

A Bermuda that stops violating its own people’s human rights

• Address the quiet blacklisting of those who speak up against injustice. No Bermudian should fear losing opportunities for telling the truth

• Confront how youth are forced to watch their parents struggle and suffer, only to be pressured into repeating the cycle themselves

• Expose the culture of domestic violence and child abuse that radiates in silence. We need stronger protections, better support systems, and a justice system that does not fail survivors.

• Acknowledge that Bermuda has the second-highest murder rate in the region. Enable urgent reforms in crime prevention, community safety initiatives and social solutions to address the root causes of violence now

• Address how Bermuda’s culture of shame and judgment suppresses individuality, creativity and ambition. Too many young people are leaving, not just because of cost but because they feel stifled and unwelcome in their own country

• End the stigma against having children. The ability to raise children should not be seen as an irresponsible burden; it should be a protected right

• Include youth in discussions on policies that ensure their parents can age with dignity

Preserving Bermuda’s cultural and environmental heritage

• Gentrification and unchecked development are erasing the cultural fabric of our island. We need to protect our history, traditions and way of life

• Environmental destruction benefits a few at the cost of our future. Our oceans, our land, Bermuda herself must be safeguarded

• Stop the killing of our own tourism industry through overpricing and poor infrastructure

• Teach extensive Bermudian history and customs in our schools

A government that listens to its people

• Too often, politicians make decisions for us instead of with us. Frequent collaborative conversation are vital

• We need leadership that represents the realities of Bermudians and actually fights for them. Teach Bermudian youth how our system of governance works

Bermuda belongs to us, too. But if we want it to be a place where all are treated equally, we have to demand better. We have to stop accepting that “this is just the way things are” and start demanding change.

I am here to fight for the Bermuda that our future generations deserve and a history our elders will be proud of; one where opportunity, dignity and progress are not reserved for the privileged few. However, I cannot do this alone. Real change requires bold action.

On February 18, all who value equal rights and empowering future generations could make the choice to stand with independent candidates and together, we can break the cycle of stagnation, demand legislation that serves everyone equally, and build a future where we all have the chance to thrive.

• Noelle Young is the independent candidate for Devonshire North West (Constituency 14) in the next General Election. She can be contacted at www.noelleyoung.info, by e-mail at young.noelle@icloud.com or by phone at 799-4411

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