Many Bermudians today still view blacks as "inferior" to whites.
This is one of the themes of a new book by scholar and race advocate Dr. Eva Hodgson, which provides an historical account of racism in Bermuda.
The book, The Experience of Racism in Bermuda and in its Wider Context, takes readers from the era of segregated churches, segregated schools and even segregated cemeteries, to present day racism.
Dr. Hodgson said that even though racism today no longer exists through government-organized regulation, it thrives through the attitudes of Bermudians - both white and black.
"We still see white ice as colder than black ice," Dr. Hodgson explained. "...Meaning we see it as better because it is white.
"This mentality continues today, even when we have what is essentially a black government."
The book is divided into 20 chapters that are sub-divided into three parts - Part One: The Bermuda Experience, Part Two: The History and Development of Racism and Part Three: The American and South African Experience.
In her book, she pin-points the specific date when she said whites "began an organized philosophy to justify slavery."
She writes: "One of the most significant scholars to contribute to the dissemination of the doctrine of racism was Johann Fredrich Blumenburch. He was a professor at Gottingen University. In 1795, he fabricated the myth of racial classification, which made blacks inferior. He also invented the term 'Caucasian' for his human racial classification."
This is Dr. Hodgson's fourth book and she said her reason for writing it book is extremely personal.
"I grew up in a segregated society," she said. "In fact I've spent as much time in a segregated society as a non-segregated society. "Some people may say I have only one string in my bow, or that I dwell in the past. But the fact is that segregation was such a large part of my formative years and it impacted me in so many ways - from my psyche to my economic circumstances. It was true for me as it was for many other black people. Even today I recognize in myself some [traits] I had to adopt during government-sponsored segregation."
She said her audience for this book is both black and white Bermudians as it revolves around an issue she calls "our most significant social problem."
The book was published by CURE and is available free of charge from their office at Suite 202, Melbourne House. 11 Parliament Street. Hamilton.
Posted: Friday, November 27, 2009
Comment by:
Kihura Nkuba
Yes it is true that you are not the people that colonized us or took us into slavery. But you are the beneficiary of the stolen goods, or stolen labor and each day to ride on the back of the system that robbed us. We are prepared to go forward but please first pay reparations in its entirety and then we can look forward. Reverse racism, no sir, because Racism is prejudice plus power and Black people do not have power and cannot be racist even if they wanted to.
Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2009
Comment by:
Still Learnin...
Why not publish it online, instead of using up more trees...???
Posted: Sunday, December 28, 2008
Comment by:
To Bruce Almighty
Hey BRuce,
Make up your mind. YOu emplore Dr.Hodgson to acknowlege white victims of racism and then tell blacks to get over their pain...so it reveals one of the effects of white supremacy...only your pain really is worth rehearsing...your letter never acknowleged the fact that humans are still in anquish collectively over the damage done by white supremacy and the beneficiaries are the white people today who simply say get over it...well say that to a woman after she is raped or the arabs as they still fight or the white brits who were kicked out of Mugabes land or the americans hit by 911 terrorist..you see blacks are still not fully human to Bruce Almighty and sadly they are not concious of their humanity as black people themselves and that is what this book is all about...Bruce you legitimize this book but sadly you will probably need the bible for your issues...!
Posted: Friday, December 19, 2008
Comment by:
Ed Bellegarde
Congratulations to Dr.
Hodgson. Racism has no place in any society. Let us all hope that it is eradicated worldwide.
We are all human beings
whose skin tone may vary
but underneath that skin
we are all the same and we need to respect one another. My wife and I
first visited Bermuda in 1980 and we return each year. We love your country and the Bermudian People. Over the years we have made many friends in Bermuda and color does not matter. What does matter for those of color and those of us who are white are the words of a great American. " We shall Overcome " With God's help we shall.
I would like to know how I might obtain a copy of Dr. Hodgson's book.
Christmas Greetings to All from the coast of Maine.
Posted: Friday, December 19, 2008
Comment by:
Bruce McClarron / Arizona
Don't forget....That many white people have suffered from 'Racism' in Bermuda, as well....It's NOT all a 'ONE WAY STREET'!!
Some people call it 'Reverse Racism'!!
If you want a history of "Incidents"...I can supply them over a 40yr. period...To the point of having my 'LIFE THREATENED'!!
Would Eva Hodgson like to comment about this?? Or...Is that an "Inconvenient Truth"??
And by the way...Get over the 'SLAVERY' issue!! Yes...It happened...Our generation is NOT to blame & it has been 'FLOGGED-TO-DEATH'!!
It's like "Jewish & White people" in Europe, moaning about Hitler & the 'NAZIS' every week!!
If you are looking to the future & want to 'MOVE ON', then you have to "Change Your Mindset"!!
It is truly, 'A TWO-WAY STREET'!!
