Ignoring history

January 10, 2005

Dear Sir,

It is a marvel to stand back and watch man?s ego. Does man really think that history and the people can be ignored and denied?

Napoleon thought he could do it, Hitler too, the winters of Russia taught them otherwise.

Alex Scott will be the architect of his own demise, just as Sir John Swan was ? hamburgers, Independence, you name it, all goes under history ignored. If the people don?t want it, it won?t happen, meritocracy comes to mind, does it merit serious consideration?

The Power of the People will be heard in a Referendum (after of course lots of discussions).

Good service is still alive

January 12, 2004

Dear Sir,

Please allow me to start the year out right by congratulating and recognising two very organised, friendly and professional businesses/persons.

I?m sure I am not alone when I say I was faced with most of my Christmas shopping in Bermuda being met by bad service, frustrating lines and miserable crowds. Put in perspective ... I?m sure Christmas shopping anywhere else in the world isn?t much better. But, this is not the point of my letter.

I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge & praise exceptional jobs performed by 1) Robert Petty and staff (Temperature Control) for a small plumbing problem at my father?s house over Christmas. We called on a Monday afternoon and were told that ?they were very busy but would have someone return our call in the morning?. Ya, right! Being a Bermudian, I hate to say, but once we heard that, pretty much decided my dad would be without a bathroom for the holidays! Imagine our surprise when at 10 a.m. the next morning we received a call saying ?we are in the area, where exactly do you live?!

An hour later, the huge problem we thought we had was fixed with a new O-ring, and we paid a bill that (now here?s the stinger) was a reasonable amount for the good work done. In the time said! Shocked! We were! But why should we be? Are we really so used to getting shafted that an honest person is a huge refreshment. Bad for us for accepting it! Great job to Trevor and Robert for job/pride/ethics well done. I hope you guys go far.

You certainly deserve it!

2) Ms. April ? Taxi B19 ? service with a ?smile?. Friendly, on-time dependable service! Wow! Happy to help in every way, even if it doesn?t have a monetary tip or value attached. It?s nice to see that the ?real? ambassadors of Bermuda still live, even if in just one or two of us. Keep up the good life, April. (your friend, RB).

Sir, I?m not a big believer in this column, but after reading all the negative stuff, I just thought maybe we could start the year acknowledging some of the good. Thank you for allowing me a bit of your time and space, and to all my fellow ?islanders? ... stop complaining, and enjoy all the beauty you have around you.

Sharing history

January 12, 2004

Dear Sir,

Mrs. Janette Musson?s letter today struck a chord with me.

I have often wondered how much African history is taught in Bermuda schools. I am not familiar with Mrs. Musson?s issue, but when I read about ASHAY (a school programme teaching African values and history), several years ago, it impressed me that such a programme was necessary.

One would hope that African history would already be covered extensively in the Bermudian school curriculum by black and white students. It is perhaps naive to believe that human beings will ever be able to conduct their affairs without erroneous prejudices. We can try, however, to inform our children of the cultural history of the people they will live and work with for the rest of their lives.

Our culture is eurocentric for various reasons, both good and bad. The main reason is that so much of the world runs on principles developed in Europe over several centuries. But European history does not entirely inform a person who wishes to live in Bermuda. In order to understand all Bermudians, it would be necessary to have an understanding of African history and black Bermudian history. In other words a familiarity with the Niger river culture would be as important as 1066. I hope it is considered so.

Businesses must buy in

January 7, 2005

Dear Sir,

First let me say that I appreciated your Editorial on the UBP/Dodwell economic proposals. In the 1980s, when I co-founded the National Association of Reconciliation we had a black Premier who said that I was a racist to raise the issue of race relations because racism no longer existed. Almost everybody in both the black and white communities agreed with him. At that time all I wanted was for the issue to be put on the national agenda. Then CURE was established and race was discussed by some in the black community while most Whites either ignored the topic or resented its being discussed.

When the PLP won in 1998, I, like many others, expected some consideration being given to some form of ?affirmative action? policies. As a result I was soundly condemned and faced hostility from the former Premier and her supporters. I was the enemy. Meanwhile most whites continued to resent any discussion of the subject.

Hence I feel that it was a significant step forward to have a white representative of the white community acknowledge the reality of the long term impact of racist policies. I must also admit that having heard only Mr. Dodwell?s initial comments on the radio, I took it for granted that whatever followed would speak to that racial disparity. You point out that it specifically did not do so. Yet, considering the refusal of the PLP to set forth a serious ?affirmative action? policy, I cannot completely condemn the UBP proposals since there are probably more black small businesses than white that would be helped. There are certainly many more black students in need of scholarship than white.

We might also remember that when Jerome Dill was put in charge of CURE, there was a great deal of criticism that a young black man with no influence among whites was appointed. So, apparently, it is now assumed that a white man, like Mr. Dodwell will have an influence among whites that Mr. Furbert would note have.

If the economic pie is ever to be fairly distributed, irrespective of what this Government may or may not do, there must be a buy-in and involvement of significant Institutions like the banks and long established businesses, as well as international companies. If they do not decide to participate not very much is likely to happen.

Who?s undemocratic?

January 11, 2005

Dear Sir,

Once again Alex Scott spins a hearty yarn over his concentration on the subject of Independence. He claims that any nay-sayers and those that ?protest too much? is undemocratic, adding that ?anyone who?s said we can?t even spend time thinking about it? is undemocratic.

What Alex Scott does not say is that he is currently Premier through an undemocratic election. Nobody in Bermuda voted Alex Scott Premier. The PLP election platform in 2003 was a sham based on dishonesty as admitted by the current Deputy Premier. No mandate was presented to the electorate for the voters to decide on and Independence was not a topic for consideration.

Logically it is undemocratic for Alex Scott to be talking about independence as he has not been given that mandate by the voters, but also logically the matter of Independence has been put on the table to distract the voters and cast a smoke screen over the mismanagement of this government.

In contrast, the naysayers and the protestors have been democratic in letting Alex Scott know that 60 percent of Bermudians ?have spent time thinking about it? and believe he needs to concentrate on something else. I suggest another General Election, and soon.

Taggers shine a light

January 9, 2005

Dear Sir,

The Sunshine League Children?s Home extends a heartfelt ?thank you? to all of those who assisted on our tag days held on December 3 and 4, 2004 so successful.

We especially would like to thank the taggers, some of whom braved physical challenges, for making time in their busy schedules to tag for us and the members of the public who responded to them so generously with contributions exceeding $19,000. Thank you to the business that provided refreshments for the taggers.

Thank you to the managers/operators of the many businesses who permitted our taggers to use their premises and to the employers who allowed members of their staffs to tag.

May you all be blessed and prospered during the ensuing year.

ASHMAN JOSEPH

Devonshire