Question sent to my inbox: “In your opinion, what is the OBA saying that the UBP has never said? Given that it is commonly accepted that Bermudians (similarly to the United States) are heavily influenced by race when deciding who to vote for, what is the OBA doing to address that? There are obviously many Black members of the OBA, as there were in the UBP, but it was clearly a margin of Black, previously UBP voters, that caused the PLP to win the 1998 elections...and then to continue winning. Many Black Bermudians feel that it is only the PLP that can genuinely represent their interests how is the OBA responding to that?”My response: You ask some very good questions tough but good!Perhaps it would be helpful for me to start by sharing some of my own experience. It might help you get a sense for how I think and how my personal beliefs shape me as leader of the OBA.Born in 1963, I grew up in a household not unlike many in St David’s. Although I have happy memories of my childhood, in many ways life was really tough. Our family struggled both economically and socially. My father was a good man, with love in his heart, but he struggled to overcome life’s challenges. So it was my mother who was the rock in our family. She inspired me and instilled the value of hard work. She taught me that no matter how unfair life can be, education and perseverance are key determinants of success. She used to say: “It does not matter where you start in life, it only matters how you finish.” I eventually attended college and went on to enjoy a successful career.So why am I involved in politics now? To be honest, it was never really my ambition to enter politics. But that all changed a few years ago when I began to feel a sense of obligation to help get Bermuda out of the economic crisis that we are in and help solve many of the social problems that the PLP have failed to address. I am sure I do not have to tell you that when we talk about the need to solve social problems in Bermuda, we mean solving problems that predominantly impact the Black community. Similarly, when we talk about solving economic problems, we mean problems that impact every Bermudian, but we all know that the Black community is suffering the most.I think it is interesting that you say that many Black Bermudians feel that it is only the PLP that can genuinely represent their interests … because I was once one of those people! I was among those in 1998 who supported the PLP. I did not think 30 years of UBP rule was healthy for Bermuda, and I bought into the PLP’s promise to level the playing field. I genuinely believed that the PLP would provide the leg up that many Bermudians needed to overcome historical disadvantages. I expected the PLP to rapidly reform public education, to give our children a shot at overcoming under-privilege and compete for a job in the knowledge economy. I expected the PLP to deliver on their promise to provide our young Black males with a path from sitting on the wall to a decent paying job.But sadly that has not happened. After 14 years of PLP leadership, and in spite of our hard working teachers, our public education system is still under-educating our children and many wall sitters are now warring gang members. Of course, making all of this worse is the fact that the PLP have steered Bermuda into serious economic trouble. We are $1.5 billion in debt now so the debt service payments alone (about $85 million a year) are causing the PLP to cut spending on social programmes at a time when people most need help. Perhaps this would not be a problem if the $1.5 billion dollar “investment” was paying dividends in terms of less poverty, more and higher paying jobs, less crime etc. But the fact is that hardship felt today by the average Bermudian particularly the average member of the Black community has increased tremendously over the past decade.So what are we doing in the OBA to connect with Bermudians in a way that ensures that they feel that we have their interests at heart? First, we are focused on helping people accept the reality of the position we are in and, therefore, accept the need for change. This is important because unless we first accept that we have a problem (e.g. unemployment, debt, crime, education etc.) nothing will ever change.Second we are focused intently on talking to Bermudians about our plans to get Bermuda back on track. My role as leader is to ensure that all our plans now, and in the future, all emanate from our goal to balance sound economic principles with a strong commitment to social equity. I often remind our team as well as voters, the OBA is about achieving social and economic success for every Bermudian, a society in which no one is left behind.You will note that our campaign does not focus on attacking the PLP leaders personally, only their record. I insist on that because the PLP have many good people that work hard and want what is best for Bermuda, but the PLP’s record as a government has been very weak.People do ask me how the OBA differs from the former UBP and the PLP. The answer is simple. Where the PLP claims to have a monopoly on caring for the social wellbeing of people, and UBP always represented the interests of business, the OBA is in the centre.I know some voters are sceptical about whether the OBA is unduly influenced by former members of the UBP and some even wonder if my leadership somehow controlled by others. The PLP’s campaign is to represent themselves as the party that protects the Black community from a return to oppression. They often fan the flames of racial mistrust and work hard to demonise and stereotype me, and the OBA candidates and supporters as untrustworthy. How do I respond to that?Well, on the one hand, it makes me smile because I know that it will not be long before the strength of my leadership becomes obvious to everyone.But on the other hand, it serves to remind us how easy it is for politicians to exploit Black anger and invoke fear. It serves to remind us that the anger and resentment that flows from historical injustice is real, that it is powerful, and that unless we take steps to resolve it, the PLP will continue to use racial tension to distract people from their failures as government. It serves to remind us that we will never solve the problems that perpetuate racial injustice in Bermuda for as long as the PLP promote the mindset that one’s ability to overcoming racial disadvantage is not possible without the power of a PLP government.The truth is, as Marcus Garvey once said (and Bob Marley made famous): “None but ourselves can free our minds”.My vision for Bermuda is for the mind of every Bermudian to be free. The realisation of this vision requires that all Bermudians are able to accept the reality that the injustices of our past are linked to many of the economic and social disparities that we struggle with today. While many Bermudians throughout our history have overcome significant barriers to be successful, the fact is that many others struggle to conquer their fears and reach their full potential.But the realisation of this vision also requires that politicians stop invoking fear in people’s minds and instead help them to become fearless. We need to help people overcome their disadvantages. But this will never happen for as long as the PLP fans the flames of racial mistrust.The bottom line is that we must get on with deaing with the social and economic problems that perpetuate inequity. For at least as long as I am leader, that’s what the OBA will do.Under my leadership, the OBA will always remain colour conscious. But unlike the PLP who suggest that our future is irrevocably bound to a tragic past, the OBA is optimistic about the future and will actively support every Bermudian to overcome life’s challenges.I hope this gives you a sense for what my perspective is on your questions. Although you said you inboxed me because you did not want a public discussion, please feel free to share your questions and my response with anyone you see fit. I invested the time to answer your concerns at length because I know you are not the only one with these questions in mind.