A question of will

April 7, 2004.

Dear Mr. Editor,

While the recent gang violence has seemed to elicit cries of outrage from many sectors, it should not come as a shock to most of us. What, have we all been sleeping?! The truth is, there have been warning signs that have been all but ignored for many years ask any teacher. As an educator myself, it has been difficult to ignore the steady erosion of moral and spiritual conscience among our young people over the last couple of decades. I suspect there are many reasons for this ? not the least of which is the fragmented state of our families ? but that is not the point of this letter. I would simply like to issue a challenge to all Bermudians.While we consider these questions, and as we reflect on the troubling events of the last weekend, it comes to mind that perhaps there is a ray of hope in all this ? a silver lining, if you will. What if this is "the" event that begins to galvanise our community? What if this is the beginning of some much-needed social restoration and we don't even know it yet? Maybe all this will even cause us to take our collective heads out of thesand and face ourselves as we really are! Imagine if we could just for a moment put aside the anger and blame and allow this tragedy to become a turning point. But, back to the original question ? do we have the collective mindset to even do such a thing ? pull together as a community?

One thing is for sure ? "thugs" are not born, they are cultivated. And as we all stand and stare in stunned disbelief at the 'strange fruit' springing from our volcanic soil, remember in whose hands were placed those precious seeds. My fellow Bermudians, it is time for HONESTY ? for nothing else can move us forward. Honesty about the fact that this island is home to a thriving, well-organised drug culture that daily employs the services of many of our young people. Honesty about the questionable academic state of many of our high school graduates. Honesty about the fact that we as parents have in too many cases allowed our selfish career pursuits to supplant our God-given responsibility to RAISE our sons and daughters. Honesty about how we as a community have allowed the god of materialism to blind us from the fact that we our brother's keeper.

Bermuda, perhaps we are being offered one final wake-up call. It is my hope that history will record that we heeded the warning; that we reached up both to God and into ourselves, and that together as one people did what it took to find the solution. That we finally came to understand that in the final analysis ?.

Ignorance breeds hate

April 6, 2004

Dear Sir,

Pat Ferguson demonstrates just how ill informed most Bermudians are about The Bermuda Human Rights' Act (http://www.bermudalaws.bm ) and gay and lesbian people in general.

Contrary to popular belief, the Bermuda Human Rights' Act DOES NOT offer protection to gay and lesbian people as it does not include "sexual orientation" as a protected category. This inclusion is necessary because presently gay and lesbian Bermudians are fired or not hired and evicted from their homes because of their sexual orientation.

Protection from discrimination is afforded gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans-gendered citizens of England, Canada, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Wales and Uruguay. This list is not exhaustive.

We would like to think as Bermudians that we are progressive and affluent people, able to compete and flourish in every way. The amendment of the Human Rights Act is a golden opportunity for us to lead the way for the Caribbean and liberate us from a tradition of suspicion and insecurity. No one is protected under the Human Rights Act unless we are ALL protected.

"When you refuse to recognise one diversity you negate all of the others ? including those that we are most comfortable with ? race, religion, physical and mental abilities..." ? C. Lundy.

I am not so na?ve as to believe that the inclusion of sexual orientation as a protected category will result in the Pat Fergusons of Bermuda immediately embracing gay, lesbian and trans-gendered Bermudians. It will, however indicate that the government of Bermuda is interested in moving towards a better Bermuda in which all of its citizens have equal value.

The Bermuda Human Rights Commission will then be required to adhere to its mandate and help to educate the Bermudian public about gay and lesbian issues. Open dialogue, where a myriad of views are expressed is essential for us to move forward as a community.

The functions of the commission are as follows:

14 The Commission shall be responsible to the Minister for the administration of this Act and shall ? (a) encourage an understanding of the fundamental rights and freedoms of the individual guaranteed by Chapter 1 of the Constitution (title 2 item 1) and the principle that all members of the Community are of equal dignity, have equal rights and have an obligation to respect the dignity and rights of each other; (c) develop, conduct research and arrange educational programmes designed to eliminate discriminatory practices; (HRA pp.15)

The language that people use towards gays and lesbians is typically derogatory and violent ? we are the last unprotected group of people. One cannot openly make negative comments about religious, ethnic, racial, physically or mentally challenged groups without fear of repercussions. I can be called "dyke" but not "nigger" without the name caller receiving any negative social sanctions.

Pat Ferguson can lump gay and lesbian people in with "rapists", "child molesters", "husband and wife beaters" "and all of the other degenerates" without a public outcry. As a result of living in a homophobic society, gay and lesbian people live in fear of being "outed" ? exposed as being same gender loving. The result of being "out" outside of the gay and lesbian community can result in negative social sanctions ranging from name-calling, gossip, and job loss to physical assault and even murder. Fear permeates our community.

Many of us are forced to remain invisible due to this climate of hate that permeates our Island home. We are your sons and daughters, sisters and brothers. We share a pew with you on Sundays and your workspace on Mondays. We can be seen working on the corner and in the top floor corner office. We ARE family! We form lasting partnerships and raise children and walk dogs and grocery shop on Wednesdays so that we get our 5% discount! We have always existed! And we will continue to live and love and laugh within our small communities.

Pat Ferguson, Patrice Minors, my Bermudian brothers and sisters, I recognise that many of you have been indoctrinated with a fear of gays and lesbians that may translate into a hatred of that which you do not understand. I am asking you to stretch your minds and your hearts just a little bit wider. We are not foreign born ? we are productive members of this society ? we are your family, neighbours and friends.