Ombudsman Brock Releases “A Grave Error”
Bermuda’s Ombudsman Arlene Brock has presented to the Speaker of the House of Assembly “A Grave Error” – a report of her own motion investigation into the demolition of tombs at the Marsden Methodist Memorial Cemetery within the Tucker’s Point golf course.
The report was disseminated on Friday [Jan 31] to members of the Legislature and the Speaker will formally introduce it in the next sitting of the House of Assembly. Members of the Legislature will receive copies by email or will be able to collect hard copies at the House of Assembly.
A Grave Error notes that, “The Cemetery was the last relatively intact relic that evidences the communal life of a wholly unique population in Bermuda. This population was removed from their lands in Tucker’s Town [either by voluntary sale or compulsory acquisition] pursuant to legislation in 1920 that granted development rights to the Bermuda Development Company to establish an exclusive tourism resort there.”
Ms. Brock said, “In my February 2012 Report on the Tucker’s Point Special Development Order, I had recommended that, notwithstanding that the Cemetery was already designated as an Historic Protection Area, it should receive “an extra layer of protection” as a Listed Building.
“In mid-October 2012, the ancient tombstones were razed to the ground. I conducted this investigation to find out what happened. Despite making a commitment in April 2012 to implement my recommendation, the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Planning did absolutely nothing to do so. This failure to implement the recommendation set the stage for the tragedy that was to follow.”
Ms. Brock said, “the tombstones were demolished by an agreement of Marsden First United Church [institutional inheritors of the Cemetery], Rosewood Tucker’s Point and Dr. Edward Harris, Bermuda’s premier archaeologist.
“They based the decision on an utterly false assumption that the tombs were newly built in 1992. In fact, it was only the three inch deep lids of the graves that had been replaced. The tombs were clearly Bermuda limestone and had been there for as long as Tucker’s Point / Castle Harbour Hotel employees and a few others could remember.”
“This is so very sad. Before demolishing the tombs no one asked why would an elite private tourist resort suddenly in 1992 build false tombs in the middle of its golf course – without reason, pressure, provocation, or incentive?
“Lamentably, no one double-checked with the Department of Planning to see if altering the structures was even allowed. Although the Department and Ministry did not make the decision or actually destroy the tombstones themselves, they could provide no credible reason for failing to do anything to implement the recommendation.
“The evidence is quite clear – had the Department just scheduled a meeting or otherwise contacted Rosewood Tucker’s Point or Marsden First United Church, the tombs would never have been destroyed.
Ms. Brock continued by saying that, “A Grave Error” sets out the history of the area and the reason why this Cemetery is of national importance. The report then sets out some of our research into the law and treatment of historical cemeteries – especially those within private golf courses. Interestingly, while cemetery land may belong to churches or private owners, it appears that descendants have decision rights regarding the actual tomb or headstones.
“While there are descendants amongst some of the members of the Marsden First United Church, there are also descendants throughout Bermuda. Therefore, I have recommended that, in consulting stakeholders about what to do next, the Historic Building Advisory Committee and the Development Applications Board should engage in a broader community consultation.
“The year 2020 will mark the 100th anniversary of the removal of a unique black population from Tucker’s Town. We can work together for the next seven ways to find ways of honouring that 1920 experience, not only to bring dignity to the ancestors but also to bring unity to the living. A lot of hurt had continued through the generations – partly because this highly racialized episode has not been fully acknowledged.
“I believe that a community consultation can use the Cemetery as a focal point to take the high road and forge positive memorials that can truly bring us together in our own Bermuda version of truth and reconciliation.
“A Grave Error” concludes that “the Cemetery within the Tucker’s Point golf course must be understood to be a national heritage site with resonance even beyond its stones. It is more than a mere physical space. It is emblematic of a communal history known, dismissed and forgotten. It is a mirror for us to acknowledge the past as well as its living and institutional legacies.
“It is an opportunity for us all to rally around, reflect and reconcile.”
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Being removed from your land than have your final place of rest desecrated, typical Euro-Colonist trait, now I know how the Native American feels.
This population was removed from their lands in Tucker’s Town [either by voluntary sale or compulsory acquisition] pursuant to legislation in 1920 that granted development rights to the Bermuda Development Company to establish an exclusive tourism resort there.”
Voluntary sale? Words like that make me sick to the stomach…How many black families could have been rich if they kept their land. No, they were pushed in a forced sale for probably peanuts to the Government who I’m sure we’re all white and probably made the millions for themselves!
“Could have been…” “Probably…” “I’m sure…” —- So basically you have no clue as to what actually happened. Lots of pie in the sky commentary with no facts to substantiate your opinion. But that’s never stopped a Bermudian from forming an opinion before. Especially when wanting to bring race into the discussion. Good on ya
Hmmm….I do know what happened I was only suggesting what could have been you dreamer! I’ll also assume your the type that hates the race discussion because you have benefitted from it historically. So you want people like me to not bring it up and that is why you chose to pick on a few words I stated.
‘A’ Hole those were my ancestors that were removed from their homes and my ancestors who’s graves were desecrated! I think enough of OUR history has been erased don’t you? Oh right, let me not bring this up, a certain segment of society may feel uncomfortable….. They damn should be! Lives and generations were shifted in a major way! And the carnage continues!
PLP sound like they were to blame for the graves. This moving people happens all over the world. The US railroads and highways. Does it suck….absolultely!!!!!!!!!!! I guess they did actually build the resort, so it wasn’t just taking lands. I’d like to hear stories of what those who had to leave did with the money and if they bought other lands.
If it hadn’t been possible to build at Tuckers Town, then the resort would have probably been built elsewhere in Bermuda and the land there would not be worth such a fortune.
I don’t know all the facts. I don’t like what happened then or with this recent SDO. If it was done with malice, then it is disgusting.
Apparently, jumping to conclusions and/or making sweeping generalizations is your exclusive territory. Your statement “But that’s never stopped a Bermudian…” betrays a twisted mentality that, whether held by a Bermudian or not, cannot be tolerated by rational people. You are ignorant and too stupid to recognize that your own statement undermines your argument.
An intelligent person would know this: History, no matter how recent, is always relative. Race forms a very important part of this discussion because the people who were moved our were all Black. The people who occupy the land now are not all black. They are not even mostly black.
I forgot to mention that some white beings hate Black human beings telling them the truth. One thing for certain is that the truth is always true! White beings are also very uncomfortable with the progress of Black human beings.
Yes, history is always relative. Im not saying lets forget what happened but rather to deal with facts and not what we want to be true. The OP made many assumptions in making his point and tried to end with a racial conclusion based off of them. That does nothing but stir up hate and definitely doesnt move the discussion forward. Tell me, how much were the original land owners paid vs market land values in Bermuda at the time? What was the racial makeup of government in 1920? And what makes you think the land would be worth the same today if what happened never happened?
I didnt even have to reply to your dumb comment..You have been dismissed !
You’re letting our own off the hook again. If you were honest with yourself you will admit WE (present and past PLP supporters) failed to hold our government responsible for the entire TP SDO “mistake”….I’m gonna throw the race card. When white people mistreat blacks, its inexcusable. but when Blacks mistreat each other, its unforgivable. The previous government mistreated our ancestors to appease the big money privileged few. I showed my disapproval on Dec 17th
The TP SDO benefited ‘typical Euro-Colonist’ (your words) But what group granted the SDO? Who do they look like? What is their ideology? c’mon man
I would like to see a “Replica using the old stones” There has to be something there that makes a Big Mark of historical value put back at the site. This is key to moving forward.
Why blame the Euro-Colonist for the desecration of the graves? The PLP Government allowed that to happen. We need to be responsible for our own history. If we can’t, why would we expect someone else to care about it?
“In my February 2012 Report on the Tucker’s Point Special Development Order, I had recommended that, notwithstanding that the Cemetery was already designated as an Historic Protection Area, it should receive “an extra layer of protection” as a Listed Building. Despite making a commitment in April 2012 to implement my recommendation, the Ministry for the Environment and the Department of Planning did absolutely nothing to do so. This failure to implement the recommendation set the stage for the tragedy that was to follow.”
If I were a betting man, I’d say that Marc Bean is probably going to say he can’t remember such a commitment.
So that was Marc Bean’s responsibility in 2012. If so, how can you support him!!!!!!!
This certainly is a grave error, goodlooking out former Ombudsman, some people have no respect for ancestors and would prefer the whole “slavery” travesty to just go away, although we understand slavery permeated throughout the world and still presently exists in various forms,Bermuda in particular is where discrimination against “Blacks”(Melinated)when they went to Parliament to stop specifically Black people from benefitting from the growth and sale of tobacco..Bermuda and its people need to wake up to what is actually beong done in OUR ISLAND by people who do not have OUR best interest at heart..One mans junk is another mans treasure same one mans mystery is another mans History..
oops—Bermuda is where discrimination agains”Blacks”(Melinated)people began……
Sounds more like “Grave Conspiracy” to me.
“She urged the Island to find ways of “honouring” that 1920 event “not only to bring dignity to the ancestors but also to bring unity to the living”. Mrs. Brock
Thanks, Thanks, Mrs. Brock for doing such a great job in regards to this matter. My heart was heavy after hearing the news last night on TV. I am so glad that you have pointed out that this should have never taken place. I had to do a great deal to with hold my anger in regards to this matter. How could Marsden Church even think to take such actions. The Planning department approving it to be done is even more devastating, when they are the agency to protect against such actions. I now must try to come to grips with what Marsden church did, to this valuable historical land.
I can only say as you have put it Mrs. Brock:
“The cemetery within the Tucker’s Point golf course must be understood to be a national heritage site with resonance even beyond its stones.”
“It is more than a mere physical space. It is emblematic of a communal history known, dismissed and forgotten.”
Please do not let it be forgotten, and be marked by some strong signal of our very significant history.
I agree 100% – the person responsible for the Ministry of Planning at the time should resign from public office! Down with Marc Bean!
“Therefore, I have recommended that, in consulting stakeholders about what to do next, the Historic Building Advisory Committee and the Development Applications Board should engage in a broader community consultation.” –Mrs.Brock
I hope that there will be proper consultation moving forward in this regards from Marsden and others. What makes me even madder is folks whom have no historical contact to Tucker’s Town were the decision-makers in this regard. I hope that they do follow your advice Mrs. Brock and see that a proper process of Consultation does take place in the near future.
Well done Mrs. Brock, and thanks for your years of services. I look forward to reading your full report Mrs. Brock. I will hold it for historical value. Important piece of work. I just hope some form of justice will be returned to folks with historical ties in Tucker’s Town.
Where is you angst against Marc Bean?
This is a very sad and regretful situation that should have been avoided but Betty – where is the vociferous condemnation of the Government for allowing this to happen in the first place? Where are your attacks on the Government for not looking after Bermuda and Bermudians’ best interests? Where are your lengthy and incoherent ramblings about how little the Government cares for the innocent and down trodden and only looks after the interests of ‘big business’?
Or is it ok when ‘they’ do it?
Why have you elected to completely ignore the PLP’s role (or lack thereof) in this matter? They were the Government of the day and were more concerned with SDOs and special big business interests than preserving our national heritage.
Had the OBA been culpable in this, your posts would be ridiculing and attacking them left right and centre but your conspicuous silence proves you care more about the PLP than Bermuda.
Your blind loyalties and hypocrisy are as clear as day.
Betty Trump and PLP – party before country since 1998, one desecrated grave at a time.
Damn shame the church did this
They. Should. Erect a wall or high fence. Aroud the. Grave yard just think back then black people were forced of their land think how better. Of those same families. Would be today the sad part is that the same sh:::t. Is about to start again
but they call it. commercial. Imigration
Chris go away.
You sound like a spoiled brat, keep it up Chris continue to be a pain in @ss to them.
It wouldn’t be so bad if you two were JUST pains in the @ss.
The problem is that you’re so damn dishonest and hypocritical. WILLINGLY hypocritical.
The problem is some white people are ashamed of their past and hate when they’re reminded of it, especially when present issues relate to it.
There are some of us who are descendants of the oppressed who make no apology to be the voice of those who suffered before us who did not have the liberty to speak the truth without reprisal, so I understand your response because your carrying on the legacy of your heritage.
No. The problem is that racists like you assign guilt to every white person, even if they don’t share the racist past. You also mix up white privilege with that racist past, even though they are two different things.
You also lie, like, all the time.
That has nothing to do with my heritage and everything with you being a disgusting, racist, dishonest demagogue.
White people’s past has nothing to do with your constant dishonesty and hypocrisy.
I’ve been trying to give you the benefit of the doubt for having some intelligence but I’m convinced that it’s minimal, white privilege has everything to do with the racist past they go hand in hand.
Because of the racist past, the stage was set for the domineering white supremacy to systematically implement control off economic, social and political affairs !!!!!!!!!!
I know you have an agenda to push, but can you at least Try to pretend to read what is written before you hit the macro “white people are bad, m’kay?” Button?
You keep arguing against things no one is actually saying.
It’s getting a little crazy.
I’m not ashamed of my past, its only 26 years old. I’m a defendant of the oppressed. Ever heard of Cromwell? Do you see me b******* about something I can’t change? My guess is you b******* because your life socks and that’s the way you choose to justify it without blaming…well, yourself. I could, like you, easily sit here and relate the treatment I get in 2014 on something I never experienced but I feel then, that I would be a moron.
I feel the destruction of this historical site is a desecration to those that were laid to rest there but karma is a very real thing and I’d rather she takes care of it while I concentrate on living my life here and now. Your outright racism does nothing to solve any issues, unlike the name you dishonorable carry. But that’s just my opinion.
Decendant* lol damn auto correct.
Where ‘somuchless’ is concerned, it’s called wHITE FEAR! I will have you know ‘somuchless’ that the natives are indeed restless.
While the Minister of the Environment stood by and did nothing, despite his commitment to protect the cemetary.
Feeling a little silly today Chris ???? If I am not mistaken it was the plp in power at the time and it was either woban or beany that was the minister RESPONSIBLE for this mess!!! Typical defense made by you/plp, blame the church??? I thought the plp stood strong for all Bermudians ?? Yeah right, they only stood strong for themselves didn’t they??
PLP responsible for this mess? Shows how shallow your head is! And how your hate for the PLP and I dare say a certain segment blinds you. This mess began loong ago clown shoes, oh right, it was in the past so let it go right? Generations were shaken by this travesty! As if just coming out of slavery wasn’t bad enough, finally some stability, a home, land, farms, livestock.. Then that rug of comfort was snatched from under them… GET THE PICTURE!?
I find it interesting that you completely ignore your plp’s involvement in this?? In fact even more interesting is the fact that you use my post as an excuse too falsely accuse me of hatred to a ” certain sector???” The only thing that is safe to say is, if the OBA were in power at the time this MESS happened, there would be massive demonstrations against them!!! Now, DO YOU GET THE PICTURE???
You’re still talking?
It was designated a listed building with special protection under the PLP. And then destroyed, under the PLP. Duh.
The racist supporters of the ubp/Oba, whose interest is the same as those who stole the land, should sit in silence. Didn’t MP Glen Smith just glorify the Tucker’s town thieves the other day in his ghetto/ignorant oped? Thought so.
Not to mention that Marsden’s pastor is a black man married to one of Bermuda’s previous history teachers
make way for the $$$$$.
now this is a set that has no shame
I think that Dr. Harris, the Minister for planning at that time, Marsden Church and Tuckers Point (now gone into receivership) have some explaining to do. This is one of the greatest tragedies as it regards BDAs history. That was the last proof of black Bermudians being displaced from that land. It was almost wiped away from our minds except for the graves. I can bet that in another 100 years it will be totally forgotten….I guess that was the plan, right?
Sad day.
You should ask Marc Bean if that was the plan. He’s big on transparency and openness right now.
In case you’ve forgotten, he was the Environment Minister.
@Family man, you would love to blame Marc Bean, but you are wrong. “the cemetery was already designated as a historic protected area”. Then, in oct 2012, marsden, Tucker’s point, and Dr. Harris decided to demolish the graves without the knowledge or permission(not possible as a historic protected area) of the dept of Planning. In other words, what’s the difference between this “extra layer of protection” and what’s in place now if marsden, TP and Dr. Harris willfully acted against the law/rules?
The ombudsman then tries to blame the Ministry and Department for not implementing her recommendations for more “protection” when the existing protection was ignored by the above, and did not prevent the destruction.
But we get your attempted narrative. Divide and rule. Got it! Btw, after 14 months of the lowest level of governance in our history by the ubp/Oba, I wonder WHEN this outgoing ombudsman will make public her own motion investigations into this current government? Sigh, I doubt if she did any such investigation. Wonder why?
Betty can you please make up your mind? In one post you praise Ms. Brock and in the other bash her.
It depends which Betty. It’s at least three different people.
I know that your objective is to make this into a political blame game, but if you did nothing to stop it, then your at blame as well. I have never bashed Mrs. Brock, I think that your attempt to once again discredit me. But lets try to elevate our discourse for a change, rather than play this “UBPoba BLAME GAME”, that you and the other folks enjoy doing most days on here.
Betty asking for en elevation of discourse?? Really??
Is this is what happens when you can’t wiggle yourself out of the hole you’ve dug??
*That was the last proof of black Bermudians being displaced from that land. It was almost wiped away from our minds except for the graves. I can bet that in another 100 years it will be totally forgotten….I guess that was the plan, right? *
Plan ?
I bet you don’t even know the history about all the land (and much more of it , in fact) that was taken away from ‘white’ Bermudians by the Admiralty in Devonshire and Ireland/Boaz Island long before Tucker’s Town.
Toodle-oo,
Yours is a supreme case of cognitive dissonance. We are not freaking well talking about white beings. Your pain ain’t like ours. We are talking about white on Black gang violence.
How was the pain of those people who were removed / forced off of their lands that I mentioned any lesser than those that you and others are stuck on here ?
Below , Herb Adderly brings up the case of St David’s which I intentionally left out .I could also have mentioned the people at what was to become the NOB in Southampton.
For centuries people have been forced off of their properties here. All for different reasons and by different ‘orders’ .
Why is it that in the case of Tucker’s Town it’s always made out to be only blacks that were affected when there were whites too ?
Why aren’t the ancestors of all of the displaced white families still making a deal out of it to this day ?
Why do THEY not make it a race issue ?
And for ‘think’ below , it’s very well known that people from the east had made it to America long before Columbus, Maybe by up to 1000 years .
And ganga mom , sounds like you need to be brought up to speed like many others here . Why would you bet that they were given a better deal ?
Our pain isn’t like theirs because we were never sold into slavery by our own kind(people that look like us)…oh, no wait, yea we were.
Well tell us then. Then I can bet they were given a much better deal then these people that were removed from their lands!!
they were given no deal at all, just you have to move off this land and that was it, try and study your history and when you do ask the st davids islanders if they got anything when they had to move to allow the americans to build their base, nope, they were told to get cracking too, with NOCOMPENSATION like the folks got at tuckers town.
that should read “unlike” the folks at tuckers town.
Whose plan?
Do you seriously thing that there’s, like, a secret meeting of white folks where we all get together and go “You know what we should do? Let’s wipe out all traces that some white folks in the past were evil, evil people and took land away from black folks.”?
You’re assigning evil motivations for no reason other than racist hate.
Do you seriously thing that there’s, like, a secret meeting of white folks where we all get together and go “You know what we should do? Let’s wipe out all traces that some white folks in the past were evil, evil people and took land away from black folks.”?
Ahhh they virtually wiped out traces of Black History, so the thought ain’t to far fetched buddy!
And to wipe out the past evil of a certain segment – impossible.
No, it absolutely IS far-fetched. Buddy.
Some white folks have done despicable things. Truly atrocious things. Some have tried to erase history.
But to lay the blame on ALL people of that race, to assume all white folks are evil or responsible for this, is… well… it’s the very definition of racism.
To claim that what happened here was part of some plan… well, that’s just nasty.
The blame is not on All the race but All the race benefited in one way or another and are still benefiting!!!!!!!!
Mo, not ALL the race benefitted. That’s just ridiculous.
Have I ever denied that?
You keep pushing this, as though you’re preaching something no one knows.
It also… you know… doesn’t really address my point.
You’re just spewing your usual hate.
That’s just not true. Racist crap.
How? I haven’t seen my benefits yet. Am I not past my probationary period?
Have you ever been stopped and searched on routine checks regularly because of profiling, denied a job because of your race, have your parents or grand parents been denied mortgage, over looked or over qualified for certain high paying jobs that they were capable of doing, etc, etc.
Stppoed and searched? Yes.
Denied a job? Yes. A person of another race got the job? Yes.
Grandparents never owned any real estate of any kind. Parents denied mortgage? Yes.
Parents never had “high paying jobs”. Were they “overlooked” ? I don’t know. They didn’t spend their whole lives bleating aboutt it.
Um… Just a Q…
Do you guys seriously not understand the concept of White Privilege? Not in the “I’m going to use it as a racist weapon to denounce people based on the colour of their skin” way that “Mazumbo” and others use, but the actual, legitimate thing.
Like… if you want to break it down to the simplest terms:
There is disparity between the races. I don’t think anyone can deny that.
Picture that as a bar graph.
The bit that white folks have over other races?
That’s white privilege.
Obama being a “Black President”? That’s white privilege.
The wage disparity between whites and others? That’s white privilege.
The fact that there’s a need for something like BET? That’s white privilege.
There are many, many little ways that life is just a little bit easier for white folks that we don’t even notice and take for granted.
How to get us all on the same page (as opposed to the “It’s our turn now” attitude that some folks have) and to a point of true equality…
THAT is a “Big Conversation” we need to have.
Think…
Remind them we must! In other words we must keep on sticking it to them.
Yes and how about the St Davids Islanders that were told to get off their land when the americans came with their bulldozers, and they werent ever compensated. It was for the betterment of the country at the time.
The St. David’s Islanders (SDI) were removed from their land, and while they protested, they were not “heard”, and were compensated with a mere pittance of its worth – i.e., my great grandparents were offered $422 for their property even though GrandPa “Solly” Fox was disabled and unable to work – 2nd time!! 1st time SDI’s were displaced was from land in Tucker’s Town. In 1879 Alfred Foggo married Robena Smith (b.1855 Tucker’s Town), displaced in 1920 to the southside of SDI. 3rd time, they were displaced in 1938-41 to make way for the US air base. I learned of my grandparents home on southside being demolished a few years ago by the Bermuda Land Development Company with no offer to any family member or even notification. If anyone has cause to complain, we certainly do. In 2002 I wrote to the Mid-Ocean Club and asked that the gravesites at TT continue to be protected. Their response was positive. Now this. We have visited there, performed ceremonies there in honor of our ancestors, even stopped bulldozing back then of the gravesites. As a researcher/preserver of our history,I am distressed and devastated historically. I thank Mrs. Brock for her report and look forward to its full disclosure.
protected the land is a must…and fire everyone that as neglected that piece of land…
The former government where to busy to give this issue it’s deserved attention
That is “were” not ‘where’. . And. “Its ” not. ‘It’s’.
Ellipses are three dots: …
You’re missing a comma after “were” and have added full stops where none are needed, as well as mixed up your inverted commas.
It should read:
“That is “were”, not “where” and “it’s”, not “it’s”.”
If you’re going to correct someone, you should make sure you, yourself, are correct.
“That is “were”, not “where” and “its” not “it’s”.”
Crap,” That is “were”, not “where” and “its”, not “it’s”.”
My bad. I stand corrected… and chagrined. I blame autocorrect!
And it’s not “to”, it’s “too”.
Actually both are used, ” too busy to give”
Yeah but he put “to busy to give”. It should be “too busy to give”.
You mean, like what I just said?
not surprised. no secret that that issues involving little financial benefit where of no importance to our previous government. their ‘social’ agenda was all smoke and mirrors. so much for the government of the people against the evil empire of privilege. They got in bed and fornicated with foreign privilege and granted an SDO to destroy protected acreage…..many may not like Fahy, Pettingill & Crockwell but he at least they’re smart enough no to rubber-stamp that pink beach proposal
Remember all the fuzz that was made over the knocking down of the murals painted on walls up at dock yard done by visiting mostly British navel ships? and what if the old British dock yard navel grave yard were to be plough over for economic reasons and what about the stretch of land just before Walford Bridge where there is a small grave yard with a few grave tomb stones what would be the reaction if that was plough over and built on ? It seems that this country only cares if historical sites are disturbed that belong to a particular ethnic group that of the white population. But than we black people have been careless in this regard towards our own historical sites. Look the rubber tree up in Warwick; that ground is the site of an old slave grave yard. Sure there is a monument there; but should we be buying and selling and maintaining a parking lot on what essentially is sacred ground. And we all wave at Johnny Barnes at East Broadway; but again that is sacred ground; that is where Sally Bassett was martyred. On a personal point of view I use to be a postman on Berkeley road and near the bottom of the entrance of the new Berkeley school there once was a small building which house a bakery; but in times gone by it serves as a school run by two Bermudian teachers whose names were on a plaque on the building. Ok the building had to be removed to make way for the new school; but where is the plaque with those two teachers names on it? that plaque should have been somewhere on the new Berkeley school. But the worst part of all this; we all know that the truth of Bermuda’s history is not being taught only a sanitize version is presented. There should be huge protest on the part of black people; but where is it? Yes we have raise protest over the Tuckers Town atrocity; but our voice and actions should be much louder and we should not depend on anyone else to do this we should do this on our own in our own interests.
Navel ship like a boat in your belly button?
The PLP did the things you listed, including the Grave Error. Blame them.
@mike Hind and Toodle-oo,
I am black but I don’t think I am a racist…but if my statement makes me one I will go and have a look in the mirror cause that’s who I am.
Can either of you answer this one simple question…who discovered America? if you answer Christopher Columbus…you should see the point of my paragraph…
They only shout that when the Truth is proclaimed, as a defense for their embarrassment, but eventually they’ll get over it.
Like you’ve ever proclaimed the Truth, “Mazumbo”!
Right.
Try honesty.
Most racists don’t think they are.
But if you think that there is some plan by white people in general to erase the past, you’re wrong.
If you think that the people that ARE trying to do that (and please note that I don’t deny that there are people doing that) are doing it because of the colour of their skin and not because they are evil, then, well, that’s racist. That’s the assumption of moral superiority based solely on the colour of someone’s skin.
Do you get that?
If you think someone does evil things simply because of the colour of their skin, or that a group of people that share the same skin colour are actively trying to do evil… that’s racist.
As for “Who discovered America?”, it seems that you’re already making a negative assumption based on my skin colour.
My answer would be “As far as I know, based on evidence found, many scientists believe humans hit the Americas between 20-30,0000 years ago.”
Does ANYONE over the age of about 8 believe that Columbus discovered America?
Norsemen. Ethelred the Ready.
The exchanges I have read here are the kinds of comments that leave me pessimistic about the future of Bermuda. The name-calling, the outright refusal of Whites to accept any responsibility for the horrible history of Racism/White Supremacy, the need to change the subject to Black-on-Black misdeeds and to blame Marc Bean because the was the Minister of the Environment in 2012– all lend themselves to a toxic and possible violent future. Bermuda is too small to absorb this nasty and bitter atmosphere.
I expect those same folks to point the finger at me and claim that I CAUSED division during my leadership. Such a childish allegation totally ignores centuries of White Privilege.
If we are to have any real chance of making our country a less toxic place, we must engage in a Big Conversation and stay there until we cultivate a better understanding. Failing that, I shudder to think of what could happen.
Interesting that you seemed to do very well for yourself…better off than so many Bermudian folks.
And? Maybe I have done “well” because I went to school for a long time, acquired certain skills and learned from my elders how to manage my business. Do you have a problem with that?
Dr Brown, i certainly dont have a problem with what you have accomplished, and like hundreds of other Black Bermudians who have done the same as yourself and are doing very well. The more black Bermudians become successful the better off we will be in the long run, hopefully not too far in the future so that Bermuda can become a better place for all its citizens on an equal basis.
Can you point to this outright refusal you’re referring to?
Here you are threatening violence, and then two sentences later complaining that some might think you’re divisive.
“Threatened violence”? Really?
Its a shame that you don’t know the difference between a threat and a warning. Personally, I do not believe in threats unless the threat and the action are simultaneous.
Ah, ever the politician at work. Neither the word threat nor warn was used in the comment but the author chooses to interpret his words as he seems fit. What a shame that such talent was wasted in retribution compared to the humility and forgiveness displayed by Nelson Mandela after 27 years in captivity. Maybe because Mr. Mandela stayed true and proud as a South African without the need to take another citizenship.
Have you ever figured out why it is only after years of “captivity” ( also known as jail time for counter-racist activity) that you speak of the humility of Mandela. He would have been justified in taking a different approach. By the way, are you seeking forgiveness and if so, for what?
Dr. Brown-
CAUSED? Probably not.
Enhanced? Expanded? Encouraged? Leveraged? Pick which one you like; they all work.
CAUSED? Sounds like faux-cleverness of the racist dog comment, part 2.
EW
The OBA wrecked the graves?
That is a lie.
Please feel free to provide proof to the contrary