RACISM in Bermuda is a topic that could be discussed forever. It is unfortunate that discussion of racism and suggested remedies have been so late coming. I find that the two races are more dangerously polarised than ever in my lifetime. And although I believe that racism will always exist in Bermuda, steps should be taken to diminish it wherever possible: in the school system, in private schools, in the Press and in the Community. Steps should be taken as quickly as possible, to prevent, as far as possible racist behaviour and acts from being inculcated in very young minds.

Eric Williams, whose book Capitalism & Slavery, places in historical perspective the relationship between early capitalism as exemplified by Great Britain and the Negro slave trade, states: "Slavery in the Caribbean has been too narrowly identified with the Negro. A racial twist has thereby been given to what is basically an economic phenomenon. Slavery was not born of racism; rather, racism was the consequence of slavery.

Non-free labour in the New World was brown, white, black and yellow, Catholic, Protestant and pagan.

It is vital that Bermudians of all shades become well-informed about slavery, AS PRACTISED IN THE BRITISH WEST INDIES, of which Bermuda was a part historically and politically, although, like its former sister colony, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, is not located in the Caribbean.

As you are aware, the first instance of slave labour involved, racially, not the Black Man but the Indian. The immediate successor of the Indian was the poor white. Then came the African to satisfy the needs of the Plantation economy. Bermuda was unable to develop a Plantation economy but brought in African slaves anyway, thus satisfying its various early economic endeavours.

The British imported their culture to this beautiful island. The slave had been subjected to measures to remove all cultural recollections. How different it would be in Bermuda today if the British had behaved like the French who imported families of blacks into Louisiana. Bermuda was born to the Colonial System.

It is important that black and white be taught how vital blacks have been to the growth of Bermuda since Bermuda was settled. The whites and blacks need to be enlightened about the effects of slavery and colonialism on the present relationship of blacks and whites of all classes.

The blacks need to realise their self-worth and to have pride in being black. In addition, both should know the laws and the treatment of people in England, in the British West Indian islands to the south and in Bermuda during the (17th and 18th) centuries. Dr. Kenneth Robinson's book, Heritage, is an excellent source.

One can easily get the impression talking to many young and not so young blacks that there is a deep-rooted hatred for whites — all whites. There is a need for dialogue and social contact between the two races, the objective being to bring this problem in the open and solve it.

One can hear often in Bermuda, particularly from white writers to the Press, that Bermudians, meaning black Bermudians, must forget the past and live in the present.

Former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley states: "Unquestionably, the effect of slavery upon . . . attitudes must not be underestimated and should never be ignored. There are some who would console themselves by suggesting that it is bad to dwell in the past. Certainly, I would concede that one must not take up permanent residence in the past" — as some blacks in Bermuda have done.

"However, if one seeks to understand the social dynamics of today, one must trace the major processes of history."

Often obscured by consideration of slavery's effects is the deeper consequence of colonialism, which, not understood, can reduce the most studied plans to reshape Bermuda to impotence. The most insidious, elusive and intractable of the problems, which blacks have inherited, is the psyche of dependence.

The slave lived in an environment in which he had no responsibility and no power. Our educational system was imported lock, stock and barrel from England without a moment's thought to its relevance to black Bermudian's needs and aspirations.

Through the years we have remained dependent on a system that did not engender free thinking and decision-making in our youth. The Government's public educational system, which caters mainly to black students, is modelled on a now largely discredited Canadian system but both to function in a Bermudian environment and a potentially Independent Bermuda, Bermudians must have the challenge and the responsibility of designing their own schools and creating their own curriculum or will lose the ability to accept challenges, responsibility and power.

There are many practices by Government and individuals that continue to feed racism.

1. Racism is expressed by individuals in various ways: attitude, verbal and facial expressions and actions. (An example of an action: interrupting a conversation of a black with a white to talk to the white, without asking to be excused or acknowledging the presence of the black.) Such actions are often done by English-types. Objectionable treatment of tourists by blacks (an example of hate of the white man): two elderly tourists on a street in Hamilton ask two well-dressed attractive black girls directions to the Bus Terminal. The reply is curt and offensive and no direction is given. How can such behaviour be remedied?

2. Practices of Immigration. There are reports of persons coming into Bermuda for a visit and allowed to work. Importation of Filipino and East Indian help is a very sore point among blacks, particularly among black women, who have studied and succeeded to be qualified for the jobs that they have taken from them. The Filipino and East Indian help are usually unqualified, of different cultures, of religions strange to the Bermudian, and of distinctive foreign features.

3. The importation of English professionals (largely employed in the financial services sector) who form their own hermetically-sealed colonies and are critical of Bermudians on the job. One English girl stated that she had more right in Bermuda than a black whose parents came from the West Indies because she came from the Mother Country.

4. The great influx of Canadians into Bermuda in recent years. Most come from the Ontario region, which has major problems with racism. Some have worked and lived in South Africa. Many are here in critical positions and their decision-making affects many. Many black Bermudians see quite clearly their antagonism towards them. Many of Bermuda's teachers come from England and Canada. Generally, their interest in the development of black students as whole persons is lacking. This is noted by black teachers.

The Immigration Department: Canada has, and has had for years, a major employment problem. But it is not Bermuda's problem. Immigration should be called upon to screen carefully all applicants, even those who are recommended by others already living here. Those who have worked or lived in apartheid-era South Africa should be given last consideration.

The Education Ministry: The following has been recommended many years ago. However, it was not instituted because "this was an expense that Government could not meet". It was recommended that a proper cultural orientation be given to all new white teachers from England and Canada. They could arrive in Bermuda four days before the first day of attendance at school and live with a black family to get acclimatised to the kind of life of his or her future students.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. The situation as it is in Bermuda needs a bipartisan, non-partisan, black and white, born-Bermudian Committee to evaluate and select any measures used to solve or alleviate the present state of racism. Community & Cultural Affairs Minister Dale Butler should chair such a Committee. I recommend that it is not too early to move in that direction. Information should not be given to the Press, which has its biases and which, in the final analyses, also should receive recommendations to correct such practices. Further, the report and recommendations must be put to Parliament by a Progressive Labour Party backbencher and should have free vote in both parties.2. Talks and illustrations on all TV channels, videos and talks in the schools on the history of slavery and its aftermath — real and partly real. A Bermudian psychologist should be the consultant.

3. Government should rethink the curriculum of the Government schools. The curriculum should be created by Bermudians to suit Bermudian needs.

4. The Immigration Department. This department should have a Committee of professionals — Accountant, manager, administrative assistant, Hotel Human resource manager, inter alia, to evaluate the resumés of persons who are are applying for work here. No one is denying we need imported labour to man our economy; but the lack of scrutiny being applied to potential guest workers is causing social friction.

5. Attention should be given to the first six or seven years of each Bermuda child — black and white. Young children are very impressionable. It has been said that a child is most impressionable during its first five years. Parents should be brought together, spending at least one morning or afternoon with all the children; discussing as a group with the teacher any problems. Both black and white should be exposed to videos, together, to view the history of Bermuda and the part that both races played. Such should be compulsory, even if it means an extra morning of school, if Government is serious about removing racism. Other ideas could be adopted, ideas that will produce interaction between black and white parents. Should any parent refuse to participate, that parent should not have the advantage of free education for his or her child.

6. THE FINAL RECOMMENDATION may be viewed as too drastic or not wanted by some blacks. However, it may help to solve our entrenched problem.

Why not, in the next census, eliminate the categories for white and black Bermudians and just have BERMUDIAN? In medical matters at the hospital, where the differentiation may matter, colour can there be included. Bermudian blacks are mainly mixed individuals of colour: black, brown, tan, near white. Majority are a mixture of Indian, African, Spanish, English and white Bermudian, and others. A large number of Bermudians, young and old, resent being labelled "black". As integration continues, more and more mixtures will evolve. "I am a Bermudian" will then be meaningful.

CONCLUSION:

I have endeavoured to present for consideration some thoughts and recommendations that I believe may assist in ameliorating racism in Bermuda and hopefully prevent it from affecting the young.

Government needs to recognise the fact that the fall-out of slavery and racism affects black and white, rich and poor, educated and uneducated. The whole community is affected. The whole community has to be completely involved in the solutions.