Remembering Theatre Boycott heroes

Imagine Bermuda is marking the 55th anniversary of the Bermuda Theatre Boycott by raising awareness and educating young people about race and segregation. The Theatre Boycott took place in Bermuda in 1959 and helped end segregation here. 

Mount Saint Agnes has been doing its part. Teacher Dr. Wanda Gibson, whose father, Will Francis, was involved in the Boycott, said: “It’s important for people and students to remember the Theatre Boycott and other significant events that happened in the past so they know what led us to where we are today. The Boycott is significant because it opened the way for racial equality. At that time, people of colour were not allowed to have certain jobs or sit in certain places. This particular group of people had gone to university in Canada and seen that the restrictions in Bermuda were much worse, so they arranged a boycott of the theatre. This led to the opening up of more opportunities and more equality for everybody in Bermuda at that time.”

MSA students are also recognizing the importance of the event. Student Evan Mosley told the Sun: “It’s important to raise awareness of our past. We can’t just walk into the future blindly without knowing our past, and we can learn from the mistakes we made. 

“It’s important to be grateful for what we have. When you think about it now, the friends we have of different races and religions might not have been your friends just a few years ago with the segregation there was.”

Student Sage Outerbridge added: “It’s important to remember the Boycott... it allows us to be more aware of what can go on and how we should deal with issues that come up.”

Plans are in place for the celebration of the Boycott Anniversary to culminate on July 2 at Harbour Nights.