December 26, 2012Dear Sir,I have been following the various editorials, Letters to the Editor etc now for some time. As someone who lived in Bermuda working as a police officer from 1975 to 1977 and has had the privilege of visiting there since, Bermuda is close to my heart and I feel obliged to put in my humble two penny worth.I don’t claim to understand all the issues of 2012. I am upset though about the following points. Fact is that there is a disparity between black and white economically that, in simple words, has kept black people down. It is nearly 2013 and it seems Bermuda is in a time warp when many parts of the world have become multicultural, multi-race and we don’t see colour, thankfully, as 40 years ago and more as a real issue.On the other side of the coin, I sincerely believe that black Bermudians are still living under unfair conditions forced on them by a white minority who have the economic power. Whilst I am not one of them, I respect their position and try to understand their frustration.I remember well the little colonial groups who cursed under their breath whilst drinking their gin and tonics that the blacks were running Bermuda or those white expatriates complaining that they could never get Bermuda status or scared of being unable to maintain their privileged status.Hey, get a life, for white expatriates on working visas it is not your country. When I arrived in Bermuda I was happy to accept Bermuda’s hospitality and breathtaking scenery. At the same time I accepted that this was not “my Island”, understood the residency laws and decided to plan my next move which, whilst I was sorry to have to make, I accepted that Bermuda was for Bermudians and I didn’t own the place and didn’t pretend to want to change the rules for my benefit.I always had and still have a great love for the people. I did not whinge to the press through a self-serving campaign based on being cleverer than everyone else about the economy and how much good I had done for the community.I guess the main questions in my mind are, how is it after all these years that the various governments have not invested in Bermudians, how is it that what for economists seems an obvious solution the Island cannot get its act together for the benefit of all Bermudians by fair and reasonable taxation policies both for international investment and individuals that would stimulate the economy.How is it that the latest conversations talk about the importance of gaming as representing jobs and promoting tourism. (My first thought is that you could end up like Cuba before Castro and end up like Cuba after the disaster that could be gaming).Whilst I don’t pretend to understand all the issues, I have practical experience of understanding the problems created by criminal gangs, extortion and drugs. Be careful what you wish for because the result can be really scary. Isn’t there a big enough rise in violence and gangs in Bermuda already?Everyone seems to be pushing different buttons and ideas to get a result and I don’t pretend to have a magic wand. Perhaps a working committee of both parties and others should be formed to simply work on getting Bermuda on track with its economy and creating job and actually executing the ideas rather than have the issues continue.As far as race relations and bitterness, it is 2012 guys and I pray for Bermuda that its people show a little love for each other in 2013 regardless of race, religion or anything else that divides you. Look for things that unite you, look for the positives that are so obvious and look to work together and be proud of Bermuda. It really can be another world but change needs to happen now.Seems to be that for many in Bermuda they would still prefer it to be a colony and until that concept is blown out of the water and the yoke off its neck maybe people cannot come to terms with the concept of being proud of one’s country and working together for its benefit but sadly be overcome by hate and division based on racial overtones.PAUL DELLANZOSwitzerland