In any society, there is a push-pull debate between those who wish some form of reparation for the past misdeeds of others, and those who want to put the past behind them and move ahead based on their own merits and efforts.

In the black community in the US, the debate has been pronounced, dating back to at least the turn of the century when W.E. DuBois and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People?s philosophy of overturning segregation through activism essentially won out over the Booker T. Washington school of self-improvement.

Few would dispute that the civil rights movement succeeded in bringing about about civil equality and that accomplishment alone was enormous.

But it is an open question of whether the movement achieved the broader goal of economic equality. The continuing wealth and education gaps between blacks and whites in the US and in Bermuda illustrates that point too well.

In Bermuda, there were many Bermudians, both black and white, who believed that the election of the Progressive Labour Party in the 1998 election marked the triumphant end of the long march to true emancipation.

It?s a safe bet that far fewer feel that way today.

That?s because political victory does not mean economic equality, which is a much slower process.

Bu it helps to explain why some PLP politicians revert to complaining about the past evils of racism and segregation when they encounter criticism and challenges, and it explains why other people see reparations for past wrongs as a remedy for present failures.

It is the antithesis of the gradualist and self-reliant approach emphasised by Booker T. Washington, which appears to be gaining currency again, both in Bermuda and in the US.

Yesterday saw two examples of its resurgence.

Government Cabinet Minister Dale Butler said in an opinion piece in this newspaper: ?I do realise that life is not fair and there may be clear examples of blacks being overlooked. But what I do not like is how an increasing number of blacks now lack confidence in themselves and have chosen a non-productive path of whining about how they cannot get ahead.?

He compared that to the example of many black Bermudians who emerged from Emancipation and aimed for the top, building schools, churches and businesses while overcoming obstacles that are unimaginable today.

Using the metaphor of ?if you want carrots, you have to plant them?, former Democratic City councilman Cory Booker made the same point in a speech to the United Bermuda Party yesterday, saying there were people who felt that ? because of what had happened in the past ? they should not have to do any ?planting? and people should be waiting on them? instead.

Mr. Booker?s philosophy in particular resonates with many people: Stand up for childhood values; recognise the value of learning from every human being one meets; and be willing to sacrifice.

This is not a go along to get along philosophy; nor is it the latest devious effort of whites to subjugate blacks.

It is a philosophy that says we should take pride in ourselves and and our attainments. It says we should recognise and celebrate our differences and the gifts we all bring to the community. And it says we should treat one another with childhood values like honesty, respect and tolerance.

Mr. Booker, Mr. Butler and other are grasping for a new philosophy for 21st Century society, one which is grounded in old values but genuinely recognises each person as an equal with unique gifts. They deserve the community?s support.