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In the 1980s, 'colourblind' became a buzzword when we discusssed attitudes about race. We were encouraged not to notice race, but in not noticing we were denying the realities of inequality that existed and continue to exist because of racism. We can no longer use colourblind fundamentalism as a crutch. Current research in the racism field has exposed the myth behind colourblind ideology and it is now referred to as 'colourblind racism'.

So how can we as a people transcend the structural racism that continues to exist in our community?

In order to establish race equity we need to understand the way power is structured in our society. Structural racism theory says that we need to look at why opportunity is not shared by everybody. It is not about pointing fingers, but about educating us all to understand how the past continues to influence us today, without us even realizing it. We must understand that "to get beyond race" we must talk about it. "Racism" has not been fixed and will not be fixed as long as the dynamics of historically inherited structural racism are still ongoing.

Research has shown how perceptions around race can dramatically impact outcomes. Tim Wise on his visits to Bermuda discussed how cultural perceptions/differences are expressed in written "rules" of behaviour which in turn go on to divide different races in the workplace. We need to understand how our perceptions, beliefs and biases continue to affect us ALL in our day to day interactions. We need to do this by understanding how structural racism, which focuses on beliefs, history, values and attitudes, continues to work in our society today.

Making life better

Understanding racial equity is a key to making life better in Bermuda for everyone. Research in the U.S. has shown that when policies such as affirmative action are in play, income for everyone increases. In Bermuda the stability that would come out of the process of evaluating structural racism and how it affects us, will lead to a more united and stable community, a plus for us all including our international partners.

When I arrived in Bermuda in the early 1970s I noted how proud Bermudians were just to be called "Bermudian". They were proud of their historic tenacity and courage to survive on an isolated island in the middle of the Atlantic with limited resources. Today as a people we are proud of how successful our small island home has become. However, many Bermudians of both races continue to long for the sense of unity which continues to elude us.

We must use that same tenacity and courage to face perhaps our biggest challenge... getting to understand and acknowledge the truth of our history and the structural racism that is its legacy. We must care enough about our island home to gain this understanding and do this work to ensure that our children do not continue to inherit the damaging effects of structural racism and its ongoing effects in our community and on our humanity.

The philospher Anais Nin once said "We do not see the world as it is, but as we are." Understanding this sets us on a road of discovery beyond our own perspective.

Democracy works best when people participate, and as a community we need to realize that we need to have a collective investment in our future and we cannot do this unless we understand how we have brought the legacy of the past into the 21st century. It is not only individuals that must make proactive decisions to do this work but businesses, organizations, groups, charities, entertainment/sporting clubs, schools, the legal system, churches, government departments, and the media. All need to honestly look at the legacy from a structural racism perspective and evaluate how the way they operate still carries elements of structural racism in their policies, processes and representations.

It was the psychologist Carl Jung who said "Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes."

I have faith in the majority of people in Bermuda of goodwill who are willing to examine these internal biases and perceptions and act on them. We need to step up to the plate and be a part of the dialogue in our community that allows people to say their truth in an environment of support and safety, and at the same time move forward the conversation towards a deeper understanding of ourselves and our perceptions so that solutions can be achieved in creating a more socially just and racially equitable society.

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