“Island Flames” Donated To Education Ministry

October 22, 2015

The Minister of Education Wayne Scott was today [Oct 22] presented with copies of the “Island Flames” book by author Jonathan Smith at CedarBridge Academy.

Mr. Smith has recently released “Island Flames” which details the pivotal events surrounding the 1977 riots. Today he presented the Ministry of Education with copies for middle and high school libraries.

Mr. Smith said, “I am pleased to make this small contribution to the Bermuda public schools. Based on some of the public responses I have received, it is clear to those who were involved in getting this book to market, that the subject matter is of immense interest.

“I want our students to understand the deep racial divide that existed in the 1970’s and to understand the progress that we have made since the Pitt Commission. It is important that we share our history with our young people.”

Minister Scott thanked Mr. Smith for his generous donation and offered his congratulations for publishing this important historical resource.

Minister Scott said, “On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I wish to thank you for all your efforts and substantial research that has been collected in Island Flames. I am looking forward to reading the book. Our students need to have at their disposal books that record Bermuda’s history.”

Left to right: Jayla Burt; Jahshua Johnson; Candace Seymour, CedarBridge Librarian; Minister Wayne Scott, Jonathan Smith; Bathsheba Jones; Christina Phillips and Aminah Simmons

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Comments (7)

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  1. Actually.... says:

    How about copies for the private schools?

  2. Onion juice says:

    Good to see a part of our History being taught that some want to forget.

  3. Person says:

    “The facts are laid out as why Bermuda nearly imploded. My hope is that Bermudians will reflect on the past, understand how institutionalised racism was exercised and manifested, some will say tolerated for so long, and dedicate their energy to forge a new path which rips this legacy to pieces.”

    Are you serious John? WAS exercised and manifested? You are seriously using past tense for this still present social condition.?You need to come out from behind those ivy lined walls mate…and look around.

  4. Raymond Ray says:

    Indeed much hasn’t changed in the sight of some but, much has changed in the sight of many…
    We see far-more “racial relationships” plus marriages along with the mixed bloods of many Bermudians….For you, (or anyone) to state: “Are you serious John? WAS exercised and manifested? You are seriously using past tense for this still present social condition? You need to come out from behind those ivy lined walls mate…and look around.?”

  5. Bye darn de rerd says:

    With just one brief reference to Ewart Brown (page 150) how can this book ever be regarded as a thoroughly researched tome suitable to hand down to young readers. In the sad debacle of this island’s racial divide, surely this extremely intelligent but bitter doctor rates more than one sentence.

    Jonathan, a couple of hours on the internet might have provided you with at least a paragraph as to why this man was regarded in the 1970s as ‘persona non grata’ in his home country which at the time employed several black doctors. A respected writer should not always grab for júiciest plums!