Column: Let’s All Support Meaningful Inclusion
[Opinion column written by Glenn Fubler]
The announcement by Premier Burt to Parliament on Friday – 1/6/18 – that the Government intended to honour the contribution of local people of Portuguese Ancestry, next year, is an exemplary step.
This measure resonates with the global initiative of the group called ‘The Elders’, which marks their 10th Anniversary – promoting around the Globe, ‘the values of compassion, empathy and solidarity’
In explaining that the occasion of the 170th anniversary of a key milestone linking people of Portugal with Bermuda, the Premier referenced his Party’s 2017 electoral platform, which committed his Government to ‘foster understanding in Bermuda’s racial relationships’. In looking to the future he noted that the Government was determined to ‘forge a society where our differences are celebrated’.
In the lead up to the centenary of the birth of their founder, Nelson Mandela, ‘The Elders’ have been concerned about wide-spread threat of division and polarization, across the globe. Their campaign, called “Walk Together” is an effort to proactively address this concerning trend by promoting a sense of solidarity.
This announcement by the Premier, in this the lead-up to the July 18th celebration of the 100th Birth-date of Mandela, has implications not only for our small society, but offers potential for the Global Village.
We know that members of ‘The Elders’ – such as Desmond Tutu, Jimmy Carter and others – have personal experiences that have demonstrated that breakthroughs in one part of the Globe can have implications in other parts of the world.
Let’s all look to support the intention expressed by Premier Burt to ‘have meaningful inclusion…to chart a future for…future generations’. In doing so, we would not only make for a better Bermuda, but potentially, for a better world.
- Glenn Fubler
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I look forward to the Government honouring guest workers who have spend 10, 15, 20+ years of their lives here, raising families, integrating and contributing to local activities and society in general.
I’d like to see this reviewed and if there has been unfair contract extensions, realignments of Job Task to accommodate at the expense of Bermudians, then these folks should not be rewarded with Permanent Residency etc. This mess had gone on, unchecked for decades and now folks want the reward of residency? I’m sure there are many legit cases, however, there are many more who’s employer have cheated the system at the expense of Bermudians, who now have their spouse, brother, sister whomever here, that is unfair.
Many Portuguese residing in Bermuda without citizenship are PRCs & have never been awarded status after decades of being a PRC. Caribbean immigrants have gotten their status with ease. PLP awarded thousands of new permits to new non Portuguese guest workers in 2007 because of their spousal connections with them. No one ever mentions these thousands who still have permits renewed till this day while many Portuguese get shipped back without permit renewal. The Portuguese helped make Bermuda what it is today. Without the Portuguese Bermuda would still be the desolate landscape it was after the ship building industry decimated all the agriculture on island. But they get treated as foreigners & second class citizens.
We don’t want or need a holiday we need equal rights and justice.
A specific day for specif people is exclusive, not inclusive. If they deem themselves Bermudians than participation in Bermuda Day and recognizing it for what it is and what was intended should be sufficient. Very curious and confusing move. Trevor Moniz for the next Bermuda Hero would be true recognition of there contributions.
Trevor Moniz has done jack all for the community. The founders of Vasco Club have done more & should get an award & recognition if any Portuguese should.
November 4th 2019 is nothing more than a pre-election “bone” thrown to Bermudians of Portuguese descent! Why hasn’t the above writer spoken out against the hateful comments from the PLP in HOA on Friday??
Probably because they are not aware of them.
Since you know everything and have a rifle; fill us in.
How about cutting all the BS posturing and just get on with it – come to think of it,rather like the Portuguese community does.
Unfortunately the Premier’s words now ring completely empty after the behaviour of his Party on Friday.
Sadly the PLP is not and will never be the party of inclusion unless it expels racist members.
Glen, kudos for thinking this ploy for the Portuguese is sincere. It’s not. Everyday we are reminded daily and boldly that the PLP is a racist government. And even the statement they are pro Bermudian is hollow. Sorry not buying the falsehood.
Meaningful Inclusion…. So the next poll they do will not be split into black and white?