January 30, 2013 at 5:54 p.m.
Opinion

OBA chairman reacts to 'disgraceful' comment

Michael Fahy, chairman, One Bermuda Alliance

By Michael Fahy, chairman, One Bermuda Alliance- | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment

JUNE 21, 2011: The One Bermuda Alliance supports the sentiments expressed by the Progressive Labour Party recent graffiti-inspired statement against “degrading political practices of smear, negative imagery and cheap character assassinations…”

The One Bermuda Alliance believes government, any government, must set the highest standards of conduct in professional and private life.

Only through example can we reinforce the values that our young people need to grow into productive, law-abiding citizens.

This is fundamental to government given that its conduct is under such public scrutiny. A bad example left uncorrected can do untold damage, giving both children and adults an excuse to engage in unacceptable behaviour.

On Friday, Health Minister Zane DeSilva was the latest PLP member to use a term that we consider disgusting, derogatory and disgraceful. During the course of his remarks in the Motion to Adjourn, Mr. DeSilva used the term “jewing down”.

When challenged by Mr. E.T. (Bob) Richards and other OBA MPs to withdraw the offensive remark, Mr. DeSilva did so, but we do not think this goes far enough.

We therefore call on the Premier to have Mr. DeSilva issue a public apology to Bermuda’s Jewish community.

We cannot tolerate abusive, alienating, racial language in any form.

Unfortunately, the PLP has failed time and again to enforce best standards when it comes to public statements by its members. In recent years, its members have used offensive language such as “house niggers” or “racist dog”, to cite just two. In each and every case, the words were allowed to stand.

We note that on the same day Mr. DeSilva made his remark, the Premier made a public statement that Bermuda’s Parliamentarians “must all be models of leadership.”

Well, Madame Premier, here is an opportunity to give meaning to your words.


Comments:

You must login to comment.

The Bermuda Sun bids farewell...

JUL 30, 2014: It marked the end of an era as our printers and collators produced the very last edition of the Bermuda Sun.

Events

July

SU
MO
TU
WE
TH
FR
SA
29
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
SUN
MON
TUE
WED
THU
FRI
SAT
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT
29 30 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31 1 2

To Submit an Event Sign in first

Today's Events

No calendar events have been scheduled for today.