The promoters of the first live televised debate on race in Bermuda are hoping more people on the Island will come forward with their views.

The Diversity Institute of Bermuda, which help set up Tuesday night's 90-minute forum on ZBM, has received e-mails in response to the show. It is hoping people who do not have access to the Internet will write to the Institute at Bermuda College.

Six panelists joined organisers Cris Valdes-Dapena and Rolfe Commissiong on the live debate. Further television discussions may take place depending on the feedback from the public.

Gordon Johnston, a director of the Diversity Institute, told The Royal Gazette : "We are really interested in how the community responds to this, whether it be through letters to the editor or other comment.'' But Shadow Development and Opportunity Minister Allan Marshall questioned the need for further debates.

He claimed a lot of what black Bermudians called racism, is resentment at foreigners who are in better-paid jobs than themselves. That was an immigration issue, not a case of racism.

He said: "At the end of the day you have to ask whether these discussions do any good in producing positive change...

"It is difficult for me to determine whether we need more meetings. If there is a great feeling among the community that racism needs to be discussed more, then have more.

"If the ultimate objective is to build appreciation of the races, sure, but perhaps we need to promote diversity and difference in Bermuda...

"I hope people don't see this debate as a be all and end all. I get a sense that if you dissect the frustration people have, particularly black Bermudians, it is they are not getting their fair shake in job opportunities.

"It could be legitimate, and there is evidence it was the case, but I believe in today's context a lot of this is misplaced as racism when, in fact, it is about job opportunities for Bermudians versus non-Bermudians.

"Obviously a lot of Bermudians feel racism is still alive, but to younger Bermudians it is not in their vocabulary.'' Comments about the debate can be e-mailed to the Diversity Institute at edegy ybercol.bm.