BERMUDIANS from all walks of life joined up this week to sign an open letter proclaiming the importance of the 1959 Theatre Boycott.

When Bermudian Errol Williams' recent documentary film about the boycott was screened in local theatres this spring, people sat wherever they wanted. It's something taken for granted in 2002, but before the boycott people sat in racially designated areas. The open letter was organised by Beyond Barriers, in part, to recognise the boycott's 43rd anniversary.

Beyond Barriers is an organisation that evolved from the anti-apartheid movement. It aims to build a sense of community.

"The idea behind the letter is the diversity," said Beyond Barriers member Glenn Fubler. "Some people look at the 1959 Theatre Boycott as a 'black thing'. It is true, there were black people involved because they were the ones affected. But it was something that affected the whole community. It marked the beginning of the end of institutionalised segregation on the island and the beginning of the evolution of modern Bermuda."

Mr. Fubler said the open letter was a part of a process of appreciating Bermuda's collective sense of self.

"That is something Bermuda has been struggling with," he said. "Things like the Smithsonian Folklife Festival held last year helped to address this."

He said Bermuda's young people often struggled with a sense of identity. "Because of our size, sometimes that sense of collective identity is not as formed as it might be in other parts of the world," he said. "My view is that as we do things like this we help to develop the collective sense of what Bermuda is."

He said Mr. Williams' film, When Voices Rise, about the boycott helped tremendously to bring about awareness of the momentous event in Bermuda's history.

"The film points out that the Progressive Group were the planners, but the whole event wouldn't have been possible had not other things come together," he said.

The theatre boycott to protest segregation had a domino effect.

"The theatres were something that affected everyone," he said. "Back then everyone went to the theatres because there was no television. Television was just starting. Movies were an important social outlet."

Mr. Fubler said in those days there were at least six theatres on the island including four in Hamilton, plus theatres in St. George's and in Somerset. While not all of the cinemas were segregated, the ones owned and operated by Bermuda General Theatres were.

Another Beyond Barriers organiser, Michael Ashton, said it was important to recognise the theatre boycott, because of its peaceful nature.

"It is important some of our energy goes to recognise the peaceful change that took place," he said. "The alternative was more violent and disruptive." Mr. Ashton said both races had to be commended for the lack of bloodshed.

"We need to commend both races, the first for taking the initiative and the second for at least listening," he said. "The generation before me, if I represent the white population, at least listened although the message had to be made quite clear.

"You only need to look at the lack of resolution in places like the Balkans and the Near East to see what might have happened."

He said the theatre boycott could be used as a blueprint for further movement.

"What we are doing is helping to heal old wounds," said Mr. Fubler. "There is a tendency to polarise on race on different issues. In this we made an extra effort to include a multi-racial group that developed this consensus here which is an open letter."

The open letter to Bermuda reads: "Our island today is indebted to the many people whose efforts made the theatre boycott a success. Their achievement meant that on July 1959 for the first time there was no formal racial barriers in place in Bermuda.

"To be sure, that change, one of the most significant in our island's history, was a link in a chain of progress. It came after years of effort by many; some we know and others who will remain nameless. Following that watershed event, much work has continued up to this day, to address this legacy of division."

The letter encourages Bermudians to take time to express appreciation for those who brought about a peaceful revolution.

It asks Bermudians to reflect as families and neighbours on the lessons learned from this part of our heritage, with a view to moving forward in a spirit of reconciliation, so that a greater sense of community can be fostered.

It calls for celebration of the common humanity of all of us.

"We wish to thank you for any and all co-operation that your offer as together we work towards a shared vision of One Bermuda," wrote the people of Beyond Barriers.