---

Dear Sir,

 While reading a collection of stories about racial struggles, I came across a quote that resounded deep within me. This quote is taken from the book When race becomes real edited by Bernestine Singley.

The writer Robert Jensen has this to say, quoting one of his friends, "The problem with most Americans is that they have no soul." he goes in to analyze this thought, by explaining: "He uses the term soul in a political, not theological sense.

He means that people so comfortable materially can easily lose sight of anything other than the maintenance of that level of comfort. Without even thinking about it they trade their souls for affluence." The word 'Bermudian' can easily be placed where 'American' is. Many will be offended by this statement but we as a people need to look at some of the Bermudian values we have lost on our individual journey to affluence.

No longer do families help one another get ahead where a meal would be all the payment required to help put the roof on a house or help to wire or plumb the building. Much less help someone in need.  Is personal wealth and material possessions all that matters? What happened to our sense of community and social responsibility once we have attained a position of affluence?

As the writer suggests, have we lost sight of everything save the maintenance of the level of comfort we have achieved?

Karen Belboda[[In-content Ad]]

---