Reach out and talk to people you don’t know

And the cat’s in the cradle and the silver spoon

Little boy blue and the man on the moon

When you comin’ home dad?

I don’t know when, but we’ll get together then son

You know we’ll have a good time then

— Harry Chapin

Initially I was going to write about the Budget,which will be read today. However I didn’t want Uncle Bob to know he has a few snitches inside of the OBA. So I will leave that until next week.

Today I wish to address three issues; gratitude, respect and diversity.

I personally wish to thank the hundreds of people who attended the PLP ‘Thank You’ party on Saturday, February 9 and the PLP Founders’ Day event on Sunday, February 17. Between the two events there were nearly 800 people in attendance.

 I wish to thank all those who took time to cook food, make drink, sell tickets, decorate and most of all, clean up. Hosting an event is no walk in the park. Yet this is what binds us as a community. The diversity of functions remind us of how much we truly are a family, irregardless of politics.

I say thank you to all of the elders of the family who take time to speak with me. It brings tears to my eyes, to know that these legends read my column and are willing to give advice and encouragement.

I will take the liberty to name a few of them. Mr Ottiwell Simmons, Mr Earl ‘Gaby’ Hart, Mr Ira Philips, Dame Jennifer Smith and Speaker of the House Mr Randy Horton. Maybe I should ask him how to dance calypso with three legs.

There are countless others who take the time to read my words, twice a week. Those who, whenever they meet me in person, always take a moment to discuss any given issue. The bigger picture here is Bermudians showing each other mutual respect, guidance and advice. To my readers, I thank you again.

We live in a 22-square-mile island, compressed down to 2 square miles of radio shows and internet blogs. Like many of you, I am becoming increasingly fed up with the way people speak to and about each other via these blogs and the talk shows.

Freedom of speech is paramount. Yet it comes with responsibility — and we have abused it. We have gone over the cliff.

How can we as adults expect to exemplify morals to our children with the behaviour they view online, or hear over the radio? I am pulling no punches here — we all are to blame, either by direct participation or by viewing or listening to the nonsense.

It has reached a point where seemingly, politicians gain some inspiration from the blogs and then behave in a likewise manner. Not acceptable.

I pray for the day that people cannot post with hidden names, or the blogs filter out the insults. We cannot continue down this road, slashing and cutting each other daily. How do we expect society to become violence free? To the radio host, I take my hat off to you for having the patience to deal with some of your callers — and especially ‘Stormin’ Norman’.

Over the last year, whether through canvassing with PLP candidates, Facebook or this very column, I have met some strange new people. These people are called fellow humans. Fellow humans of every shape, colour , ethnicity, religion and political leanings. Many are PLP supporters, many are not.

To say the exchanges have been lively would be an understatement. We all must learn to recognize that by divine order or accident of birth, we are unique individuals. By social upbringing we have formulated life-long viewpoints and outlooks. And yes, at times, we as individuals stand strong in what we believe is the right way for ourselves and our country.

What I have noticed within myself, and more so in others, is that once we begin to compare notes, we often find similarities outweigh differences. And even in our differences we find humour.

I think Rock Island put some magic potion in their cups of tea or coffee because it seems that is where most OBA supporters ask me to meet them.

I would encourage each of you to take a few minutes of each day to speak with someone you normally would not give the time of day. It will make you no less white or no less black. It will not change your political views, nor will it convert your religion. What it will do is allow you to have a living, breathing Google of new information.

Hebrew 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

You never know, the person you get to know could be the same one you just cursed out on a blog.
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