Is race a 'distraction' for the OBA or a key marketing ploy?

TUESDAY, DEC. 4: Well the UBP/OBA has gone into full denial and damage control over a document that states they must use “black surrogates” — see page 11 of the secret plan — in order to get the black votes.

Look at the high number of black candidates they have pushed out front. Then look at these candidates’ inability to articulate the issues of the day when asked simple questions.

Prime example, Alexis Swan, in a recent live debate, clearly was out of her depth when asked to articulate on several points. She stated multiple times “race is a distraction”. Another example; Anthony Francis stating “the present model of FutureCare will be scrapped”.

On Monday, Craig Cannonier states “...and to those black entrepreneurs and the middle class who are looking for opportunity... ”

Ninety per cent of the OBA adverts either have Craig bobbin’ his head trying to sound like Martin Luther King, or there is  a picture of a black construction worker, black pregnant lady, black little boy. For a party that claims it is diverse, it sure seems to be only targeting black voters.

 Last I looked, the island does have 35 per cent non-black people. So for the OBA to say race is a distraction, they seem very preoccupied with trying to portray they are the new black party and whites are not in the equation.

Look at the PLP adverts. Blacks and whites are shown. Why? Simply because, as the Government, we serve all persons. FutureCare is  for all. Affordable housing and Daycare allowance is open to any Bermudian who qualifies.

“...Supporters voting on emotion not logic...” — page 9 of the secret plan.

Simply put, their opinion is that we are incapable of thinking. For over a year, OBA supporters label us as sheep, only to now ask us for a vote. Let’s have a look at their emotions.

“Christopher Famous you are acting like a dog chasing his tail...and the other dogs just watch...” — Michael Dunkley, Facebook May 21, 2012

 Another well-known OBA Supporter posted this on FB: “Wake up PLP, time for change... I would hope they kick u all to the curb like dogs and spitt at u [sic]”.

OBA supporters stated it is just a figure of speech and Dunkley does not need to apologize to anyone. Oh really?

“...Downscale, less educated voters were not likely to vote for us (UBP)” —  page 26 of the secret report.

Well I guess every PLP supporter with a university degree is deemed uneducated in their eyes. The UBP/OBA has to target the “black middle class”. So the OBA will attempt to say that the PLP has destroyed the middle class. They leave out the fact that the black middle class has grown under the PLP since 1998. The PLP has built and maintained housing for 500-plus Bermudian families, uplifting many from renters to home owners. The Government employs 7,000 Bermudians. So again, how has the PLP destroyed the middle class?

Race card up their sleeves

 The PLP does not spend an untold fortune on trying to prove that it is a black party. We simply govern and care for all Bermudians. The OBA have been waiting to say ‘look the PLP has played the race card’, when it is they that had the race card up their sleeves all along.

Family, my parent’s generation never wavered in their commitment to a fair and just society. They now pass the baton to my generation. We will never give up progressing our people. Fault us on our missteps, but you can never fault us on our intentions. At times when you try to be all things, to all people you will fall short. For this we are guilty .

Yet we, the PLP, will never apologize for uplifting our brothers and sisters. We don’t hire consultants to tell us how to trick black people to vote for us. We simply do what is best for those the UBP/OBA neglected.

To my readers, your many emails  encourage me to continue to do what is best for the Bermudian people. You are all my constituents and I write for you.

For others you are just a vote. For us you are our voice and vision.

To the editorial staff of the Bermuda Sun I thank you for offering me this column, when others refused to print my letters.

• Feel free to share your thoughts — email me: [email protected].