Donte Hunt: “No Excuse To Abandon Decency”
Photo taken on a wall in Warwick in July 2011
OBA Shadow Minister for Community Development Donte Hunt said he recently came across fresh graffiti on the wall of a residence rented by a Filipino expatriate, which read “Filipino Go Home” and said, “Only by maintaining the spirit of inclusivity and togetherness can we make a better society for all.”
Mr Hunt said, “This is not an isolated incident. A few days ago Mr. Dale Butler made a comment about the phenomenon in the House of Assembly, and the press has carried pictures of anti-foreigner graffiti in other locations. This situation cannot be left to go unchallenged and unchecked.”
“The Bermuda I know and love is not reflected in the cowardly, fearful words popping up around the island,” noted Mr Hunt.
“There are connections throughout history between economic hard times and the targeting of minorities and outsiders – some becoming human low points – and I want us to steer clear of that dangerous ledge.”
“While we understand the economic pressures people are under, there is no excuse to abandon decency. On behalf of my colleagues in the One Bermuda Alliance, I call on all Bermudians to stop for a moment to consider the nature of what is happening and to speak out against the scapegoating of Filipinos or anyone else.”
“Bermuda is a welcoming island and that must always prevail, especially in hard times. Only by maintaining the spirit of inclusivity and togetherness can we make a better society for all. Without it, we will never get there,” concluded Mr Hunt.
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Perhaps if these hateful individuals knew that there was no-one here when the Sea Venture crashed in 1609 .. Knew where exactly it was that ‘they’ came from and knew how and why the Phillipinos are here they might have a better understanding.
A little knowledge really can make you feel better .
And I bet some of these guys writing this trash are in reality chasing Phillipino skirt when no one’s looking.
We as Bermudians need to stop acting like we are superior to everyone else, shame on these individuals that acted in this manner
Hear hear. Bermudians think their sh*t don’t stink.
Can it be that Filipinos come to Bermuda, work hard, keep their jobs and earn a living? They accept, and respect any job they are in. We haughty Bermudians may not have a job, but will not take the one offered because the pay is too low, we cannot work on weekends, or the bus does not go that way. Then we complain about them working! Serve us right. Also, they do not go about having tons of illegitimate
children so they can, as a result, support themselves. I am not being racist, so do not respond saying I am. Just stating fact. Pay attention. There are now Filipinos working in Retail shops, cleaning windows, fixing shoes, cooking meals, nursing, accounting and caring for children. These are all jobs unemployed Bermudians can do, but choose not to. Finally, Mr. Hunt, as a politician, your comments often seem to mimic others, particularly your OBA colleagues. Originality is a trait I respect in politicians. I hope you develop some. Mr. Butler was on this topic almost 2 weeks ago!
Every last foreigner on this island was invited here because there was no Bermudian to do that job. Bermudians who write this filth should get off their lazy a**es and work instead of complaining.
You are beyond pathetic – and yes I am Bermudian.
That’s not true. Some are here so the employer can make more money from cheap labor. If I go on a contraction site, the jamaicans, and indians are making less money then the Bermudians. You people act like you know everything.
Ganja Mon….let me guess you’re one of these people who want to paid $75/hr as a painter, show up when you feel like it and call in sick once a week.
The people and Government of Bermuda need to protect these foreigners that are on our island (As we are taught to do according to the scriptures). We talk about revitalizing tourism, but how can we, if we do not protect the tourist?
Cuba a population of 11 million, will never allow this foolishness in their country, although they may have other problems, THIS IS NOT ONE OF THEM.
PROTECT THE STRANGERS THAT ARE AMONGST US. HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE TREATED WHEN YOU TRAVEL SOME WHERE TO WORK OR ON VACATION?????????????????????
This is a very challenging situation. I trust that any reporting will be sensitive and factual, to ensure we do not indavertently cause such negative behaviour to escalate.
If we look at the graffitti as a symptom however, it may indicate the level of frustration for some Bermudians. It then follows that we need to focus more on political statesmanship rather than the existing rhetoric that is being reported on a daily basis and commented on using the various blogs social sites.
If only the people who are writing this stuff knew that there are Bermudians living in the Philippines and making a good living there. Don’t be fooled by what you perceive as Filipinos being poor or underclass. They have beautiful homes, fancy cars and they sacrifice for everything that they get. Go there and you will see just how respectful they are and giving to each other and the foreigners that grace their shores. Anyone that knows them has seen how they embrace the simple but important family tradition that we once had like eating all meals together as a family. They value education and they develop skills by any means possible. I applaud both MP Butler and Mr. Hunt for their remarks regarding this matter but I am concerned that the media is even entertaining this stuff. There are people who are looking for an excuse to do something bad and if you just look at the US you will see that misery likes company. The media needs to stop posting bad things and maybe start looking for the poaitive contributions that all guest workers and spouses of Bermudians are making to our community. As a person who has travelled extensively and understand Cross Cultural Diversity as well as the Melting Pot we as good Bermudians need to protest against this because I would hate to see any Bermudian who travel abroad be attacked by that host country. I am a proud Bermudian and call on all Bermudians make every effort to ensure that this behaviour is stopped. Don’t severely punish the offender but educate them because we all have relatives from other jurisdictions like St. Kitts, Jamaica, Portugsl, England, Ireland, Italy, the United States of America and the list goes on. How many of us have been educated overseas? What if the Universities and Colleges that we attended had signs up like ” Attack Bermudians “. How many of us travel to the US and shop at WAlmart. What is there was a sign that said don’t sell to Bermudians. Where would we be and how would we feel. Like it or not they are here to stay as is every other race that has graced our shores and decided to make Paradise there place of employment or their home. God give us strength to understand that we do not live in a box but are all part of the Human Race. And yes I am a Bermudian who support putting Bermudians back to work and protecting their rights if I feel we are violated.
There is anger towards foreigners because there is no parity. On one had we have people from “third world” countries where they can afford to sacrifice and undercut Bermudians while they are here in the short term because our dollars go so much further when they leave. The on the other end of the scale there are people who work alongside Bermudians but get better pay and benefits/housing for doing the same job, often while having their mistakes fixed by the Bermudian. This is the situation and the fix is not being presented by anyone yet. We all see or feel the symptoms every day. By the way what is Cuba’s solution? We should probably start seriously looking at how they are managing since they will be our biggest competition soon.
People who write this trash better stop or else they will face consequences they will regret having to face
enough said
watch what you say
if i ever see anyone doing this graffitti or having part in it, i will slap their teeth out