Opinion Column: Glenn Fubler “Be The Change”

[Opinion column written by Glenn Fubler]

Archbishop Tutu and his daughter, Mpho, announced a new publication: The Book of Forgiving – A Guide to the Process of Forgiveness, in an extensive BBC Radio interview on May 5th . The book connects Tutu’s personal life with his public persona; capturing his relationship with his late-father.

I heard the interview while reflecting on the reported comments of Opposition Leader Marc Bean, in which he urged participants of the May Day March to ‘…be the change..’. There was synergy there for me, since that quote, which originated with Ghandi, speaks to how our public persona, relates to our personal.

Tutu described how his father had a ’drinking problem’ and would occasionally beat up his mother. Witnessing this violence led to anger in young Desmond, but also a sense of shame, in his inability to protect his mother. The Archbishop shared these intimate details, explaining how his personal journey led him to appreciate forgiveness – not an ‘easy’ option. Mpho explained how her father consciously ‘be[came] the change’; offering a new beginning to upcoming generations. As outsiders, we can see how this choice helped forge Tutu’s character, to make a substantial contribution, not only to South Africa, but to the wider Human Family.

There are stories on ‘..being the change’ everywhere. My wife –Deonn – had family challenges that took her off-track, but decided ‘..to be the change’. Completing St. George’s Secondary, she secured employment at Customs and saved enough funds to complete her High School certification in Canada. Deonn returned to Customs and two part-time jobs, to fund her College expenses, eventually becoming the first in her family to gain a Bachelor’s Degree. For years she has been volunteering with families, guiding them through the application process for scholarships.

A friend of mine had never attended secondary school and in his teens, was caught up in crime/ prison web. He became involved in the Black Beret Cadre, transforming his perspective. He chose to ‘be the change’ and eventually gained steady employment in the hospitality sector. He married and worked for over three decades; supporting his 4 children – three of which successfully completing university.

Another friend, raised by his mother, never had any relationship with his father. He chose to ‘be the change’ and has been an exemplary father to his three children and supportive of his grandchildren.

In the mid-40’s, hundreds petitioned the Bermuda Government over numerous injustices, including the limited access of children-of-colour to secondary education. Edwin Skinner went a step farther, when he retired as the Principal of Cavendish [now Saltus] Primary, he chose to teach disenfranchised students and fill that gap. Amongst the numerous students benefiting were the young Ottie Simmons, John Swan and Roosevelt Brown. The subsequent contribution made by these three alone, demonstrates the potential leveraged when one chooses to ‘be the change’.

Skinner died after a few years dedicating his retirement to those students. Edward DeJean grasped the torch and served the students of Howard Academy. A Canadian engineer -married to a Bermudian – DeJean risked his family budget, choosing to ‘be the change’ in this key grassroots movement. Its light flickered for more than a decade with scanty resources, but educated hundreds of students who subsequently made significant contributions to the Island. Further to this, DeJean became a key figure in the broader social transformation of the island during the late-50’s and early ‘60’s

Butterfield & Vallis chose to ‘be the change’, in employment. They embraced a number of employees who had been previously struggling with substance abuse. Three of those have risen to management positions in the organization.

Charles Vaucrosson was a noted lawyer who was imprisoned for fraud. However, Charles turned his mistake into a mission. He transformed his own life, and chose to ‘be the change’, facilitating the evolution of fellow inmates. Two who benefited, were called to the Bar as lawyers.

In 1970, at 20-years-old, I protested the British sale of weapons to South Africa by encouraging my colleagues in the Black Beret Cadre to burn the Union Jack in front of City Hall. In retrospect we noted that this protest based on confronting the Man, had limited impact.

Early 1977, I organized a petition of 13,000 against the hanging of Burrows and Tacklyn; which I carried off to London where I did graduate studies. When the confirmation of the hangings was announced, notwithstanding having minimal contacts in that city, I had evolved and recognized the importance of engagement and successfully lobbied the British Parliament, gaining the support of more than 350 MPs. While that success did not stop those hangings, it reinforced for me that to ‘be the change’ leverages grassroots efforts.

The life of Tutu demonstrates this leverage. He reports that his forgiveness of his father was not all ‘smooth sailing’, but it is clear that his choice to ‘be the change’ prepared him to address the challenges in transforming his country. He points out that ‘ forgiveness saved South Africa from self destruction’. [contrast that with the current Nigeria].

Marc Bean’s urging residents protesting to ‘be the change’, is indeed timely. As we address our own crossroads, we would do well to draw from those on whose shoulders we stand. Skinner, DeJean and many others have demonstrated that notwithstanding the challenges that Bermuda faces today, each of us can play our part in moving our island forward.

- Glenn Fubler

#GlennFublerColumns #OpinionColumns

Category: All, News, Politics