---

Dear Sir,

We live among generations of Bermudians removed from the immediacy of visible and tangible racial disharmony on our island.

To a large degree, many of us have allowed the fantasy to prevail that race is no longer an issue. For those of us born in the post civil rights era, racial inequality only becomes apparent when we return to our island qualified and attempting to enter the workforce. We find ourselves knocking on the door only to realize that in some instances the right qualifications aren't enough; the colour of our skin, our social connections, and our gender continue to serve as barriers in our current social climate.

Bermudians, both Black and White discount the power of racial inequality because as our economy booms a select few across the spectrum now have access to a larger slice of the pie.

It can be simply stated that as our economy booms, the gap widens between those who have access and those who do not because we have yet to address systemic inequalities in our society.

The end result is a lag in healthy interracial interactions and racial disharmony flares. We need to look no further than your paper to have a taste of the frustrations rampant in Bermudian society today. We are talking here of the frustration relating to the state of Race Relations in Bermuda.

Are you willing?

Even more disheartening is an apparent lack of willingness to engage in useful dialogue. It is only with concrete knowledge that we begin to arrive at a place of mutual understanding thus improving interracial knowledge and moving toward social harmony. If we want to move toward social harmony we have to accept that perception colours reality. The perception of many on this island involves the concept that race continues to be a social and economic barrier. If we accept that this perception exists, we have a duty to address the issue for the greater benefit of Bermudian society. In Bermuda, we are diverse. This diversity is reflected in our faces, our ethnic origins and our economic status.

Rather than a celebration of diversity, we find that the focus on race and culture continues to serve as a source of division. Racial disharmony works like a poison, weakening our island's foundation and preventing us from developing a true and inclusive 'Bermudian' identity. Without acknowledging our past and each other's opinions and beliefs regardless of race, we cannot move on, together.

Bermuda, it is time to do something that we have never done. We each need to accept the role that we play in this saga. We need to accept that in order to change we have to have uncomfortable moments. We need to remove our collective heads from the sand and be honest, first with ourselves and then with each other.

Talking about race isn't easy. But we believe that without truly open discussions and a willingness to engage in dialogue in an honest and respectful way about that which is truly uncomfortable, we will, as a people, continue to be disheartened and discouraged. The harsh reality of a fracturing Bermudian community will continue to hold and will begin to further erode our foundations. The Commission for Unity and Racial Equality (CURE) is equipped to assist individuals and their respective groups or institutions in commencing this very dialogue.

With facilitation, we can assist those persons in moving beyond their silenced frustration into a place of being heard. We believe it is only when we respect each other and listen to each other that there can be real movement away from intolerance and toward social harmony.

We welcome anyone who feels that they have been discriminated against, or denied opportunity, to meet with us, join in our workshops, and meet with our Commissioners. Help us to make your voices heard.

We each have a responsibility to become part of the CURE.

Nikkita Scott

Chairperson, CURE[[In-content Ad]]

---