Comments on: Thirteen Receive Queen’s New Year Honours

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:51:26 +0000

Yes Morgan, yes yes yes yes!

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:46:35 +0000

Corr. wrong on all counts.

By: CAT

CAT — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:08:48 +0000

Holla!!!

By: LOL (original)

LOL (original) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:12:38 +0000

LOL

By: LOL (original)

LOL (original) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:07:00 +0000

It’s with the reaction you just displayed. Simple really………….

LOL

By: TonyB

TonyB — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:18:08 +0000

I would like to nominate Morgan Freeman for an OBE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeixtYS-P3s

By: Enough is enough

Enough is enough — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:20:15 +0000

I am so tired of u Laverne. God forgive me for what I am about to say but so many young and kind people are dying but nasty a&& like yourself and Eva Hodson r still walking around. Your hate is killing our young people and u don’t even see it. Your head is so stuck up ur …. That u don’t see anything but your stupid ugly nasty thoughts. Get a life. We all know ur type!!

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:17:18 +0000

Just he made valid points and not me? ignorant, vague, random, wrong on all accounts.

By: MinorMatters

MinorMatters — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:06:51 +0000

All of the above comments seem to ignore the obvious. While many of you are congratulating and some are attacking some of the recipients, don’t you have to look at the poltical chicanery in operation here? I heard a sound clip where in essence, Dr. Hodgson states that 1) The Premier – has not had not many conversations with her, 2)that she (Dr. Hodgson) didn’t believe she was awarded for being a loyal supporter but that she felt that it was she because she had publically rendered that she was disappointed with the PLP actions over the years. So the question is why was Dr. Hodgson awarded the OBE, was it an attempt to shut her up as we are approaching the General Election? Surely, the voting public does not need a super educated, knowledgeable person outlining the flaws of this of the governing party? So I say, stop attacking the recipients and rather than casting judgement on their reasons for accepting the award. Accept their decision and move on because there is nothing you can do about it. But I digress, understand the political nonsense that is out there designed to keep us divided and in-fighting.

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:40:30 +0000

Dr. Hodgson, maybe you would like to elaborate on those quotes?

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 22:24:18 +0000

Let the election fever begin.

Hope th winner is the children.

Smoking Gun. Stop it.

By: FancyFull

FancyFull — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:42:36 +0000

Two quotes from Dr Hodgson in the Royal Gazette 1) “All Whites are supremacists”, 2) “All White people have a fundamental problem with the way they think”…just thought I’d throw these into this boiling pot of debate.

By: Notorious

Notorious — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 18:46:47 +0000

You sound very ignorant and like a kill joy. VJ made valid points and you can’t even deny it instead you make up some random vague nonsense.

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:11:00 +0000

Yes sure! you seem very aroused VJ, remember VJ you played the race card first, maybe you need to meet some white people and make friends, you may have to change your music library though, a lot of white people love reggae. OH! by the way, my father is black and my mother is white. yes don’t reply.

By: VJ

VJ — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:39:59 +0000

Cleancut the only example you could give about stepping out of your own little white…yes white because that’s what you are…world is the fact that you recently attended a function with Indians…would you like an award for that?!! Is that the best you could come up with? Sorry, totally unconivincing Cleancut!!! When you come up with something a little better, I would be more than happy to hear it. Until then, rest your fingers for a little bit because VJ is tuning you out!!!

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:24:53 +0000

You seem to be stuck in your own little world VJ, I tried to explain to you in baby terms why certain people in this community tent to choose their own social activities, there are also tons of black people that head for the beach and go on the water in their boats and yachts over the holidays, you are the one stereotyping. Just because white people do not attent certain events it dosn’t mean what you think it means. MSA has tons of black students also. Dr. Hodgson should be proud to receive this award because she was chosen by the people of Bermuda and accepted by the committee in London.

By: VJ

VJ — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:46:31 +0000

@ Cleancut….YES I presumed you are white since my issue was with white people not reaching out to the black community. If you are not white, why would you bother to respond since my comments clearly WOULD NOT apply to you?!! By the way, my position was not to bash dear Dr. Hodgson, I was just expressing my disappointment in her accepting this award as I too felt she was a “sistah in the struggle.” I fail to see how it makes these awardees any more special to have a few letters behind their name from some white lady who only by virtue of her birth makes her so important. The Queen has lived her whole life in a gilded cage so far removed from reality….why the big hoopla about getting an award from “her”?…which by the way it really isn’t because she is clueless about these people and acts on the advice of her advisors! Since someone wanted to bring Dr. Brown into it, people don’t mind spending thousands of dollars on securing the country for her visit, yet don’t want to spend a dime on the salary for the Premier to have a bodyguard!!! Why is that? I would personally rather spend money to secure my leader who works hard for me than to spend it on the billionaire Queen who has done nothing for me and could care less about what is happening over here!!!

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 21:20:05 +0000

So you presume I am white? And your missing my point concerning the atmosphere at certain events. I too enjoy all culture of music.

By: VJ

VJ — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:41:08 +0000

@ Cleancut…you are stereotyping….and you just made my point!!! Because I am black, I automatically like reggae? FYI I like country music and detest reggae!!! As a white person, you are totally clueless as to what the black community is all about and your comments show it!!!

By: Iwinbmskin!

Iwinbmskin! — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:16:39 +0000

Laverne was the BIG and loyal defender of her RELATIVE Ewart Brown in all of his ignorance and now he is gone, she is doing the same for Dr. Eva Hodgson who is also a RELATIVE of hers. Blood is thicker than water. That family has no conscience. It’s all about self – I, me, my. I am in total agreement with VJ. The Dr. will never ever receive my support again. My how they thrive on titles.

I thought the Dr. was a real sistah in de struggle, but now I see clearly that she never was.

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:54:25 +0000

Do not people, white people reach out to you all the time VJ? Just walk about town or look in the workplace, Black and white Bermudians reach out to each other all the time, in the home, party’s, in the clubs, restaurants, etc,etc. Social Events, well! That’s a whole different ball game, much more to do with social preferences, large crowds and behavioral differences plays a large part as to why many events seem segregated, both black and white events. I was invited to an Indian party over Christmas, it was very enjoyable meeting people and conversing, but after an hour or so the music and the atmosphere was driving me crazy, similar to me standing in a pub in town with a beer in my hands listening to loud music and loud people. most black events that are held are pretty much the same, just a different theme, my social preferences during events like cup match or the parades, is to stay at home with a nice glass of wine, a good meal, and my friends. Care to join VJ? I promise no loud rock music or thumping reggae.

By: VJ

VJ — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:50:35 +0000

By the way, Rick Rock, I wrote that Britain advanced the slave trade during those times. The year Great Britain outlawed slavery was not the point. There are some interesting articles on the Motherland exploiting labor in foreign countries such as the West Indies, India and Africa for the profit of British Investors during that time period. Baltic Fury, why is that because blacks want to empowerment ourselves it makes US racist? Its funny how you people all think that way, if it were up to you we would still be in the fields picking cotton. The truth is that blacks have reached out to the white community time and time again, only to be rebuffed. How many of you participate in our events or mingle with us? Very few! I’ve seen tons of black Bermudians headed off to events such as the Mount St Agnes fair but can count on one hand the whites that go to black fairs. 24th May you all are out on your boats or at the beach, you aren’t gonna go out and watch the parade or be anywhere where a lot of blacks congregate. The stores in the North East Hamilton Economic Empowerment Zone have some of the best bargains one could find, but how many of you actually shop there? The list could go on and on, but the truth is WE reach out to YOU all of the time, so how are we racist? Please explain it to me because I’m really curious.

By: VJ

VJ — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:24:33 +0000

Ms. Furbert, first of all as a civil servant I have to watch what I say, hence the reason I post anonymously. If it were not for that fact, I would have no problem giving my name. In fact you know me very well and we have had many discussions and if you were to look at the history of my blogs, I have supported your comments and those of many people that think as I do. You asked what the PLP had to do with it, I mentioned the PLP because Dr. Hodgson made mention that they were (are?) against accepting these awards. If not for that fact, the PLP would not have been mentioned. And you made an excellent point, and I will most certainly reach out to Dr. Hodgson personally as I have done with others in the past. Since you begin your post with VJ at the top, I assume all of your comments are directed at me. I’m confused as to why you would say when “he” writes about independence, “you” all criticise him. Please do not put me in the “you all” catergory as I have NEVER criticised “him”….

By: Rick Rock

Rick Rock — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:16:20 +0000

…Or if they took a LITTLE PHILLIPINO GIRL home with them, judging from the racist comments we’ve seen in bus shelters this year.

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:54:20 +0000

I am sure there are equally as many Black families out there that would chastise their sons if they took a LITTLE WHITE GIRL home with them, or even a LITTLE INDIAN GIRL home with them. My mother took home a LITTLE BLACK BOY some 60 years ago, he is now my father.

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:15:00 +0000

Hundreds of people receive awards every year, people from all over the world receive OBE’s, Individuals are chosen by committees in their respective countries, NOT THE QUEEN, not sure of the process here in Bermuda, Cabinet maybe, I am sure it goes through Government House though.

By: LaVerne Furbert

LaVerne Furbert — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:44:36 +0000

VJ,

If you really had the courage of your convictions, rather than post anonymously on this blog, you would pick up the telephone and talk to her personally. Her number is listed.

With all of the negative comments about Dr. Hodgson accepting this award, I’m wondering where you all are on the issue of independence. The only person that publicly calls for independence on a regular basis, but when he writes about it, you all criticise him.

Sir John Swan, who put the independence referendum on the table, accepted a knighthood from Her Majesty the Queen, but I’ve never heard anyone criticise him for that.

You are right VJ, the Queen does not know Dr. Hodgson, neither does she know any of us, her loyal subjects. And, Prince Harry would be chastised even if he took a little white girl home4. In fact, some not so royal families in Bermuda would chastise their sons if they took a little black girl home.

By the way, what’s the PLP got to do with this. I don’t think that there is anyone, other than members of the Opposition who has criticised the PLP more than Dr. Hodgson. Looks like Dr. Hodgson is not the only person who should do some more reading.

By: Shorta ranks

Shorta ranks — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 15:25:27 +0000

At last a young bright mind has spoken. It is very disgraceful what she has done and then to turn around and justify it. She has condemned the British for slavery. Now she says it is her own Govt who has done so much for her. If perhaps her track record was good for getting things done we could blame the govt but she does not complete things and then blames the govt when we know the real deal. She does not complete things no matter what she says. A poor track record led to her Govt and others seeing through the decade which is now in front of all of us to see . She fell for a medal. Shameful. Shameful and VJ has it right. She has to stop this nonsense of complaining of the legacy of slavery and racism and then accept an award. Her conscience should bother her. Shameful. shameful. The rest deserve it because they believe in empire, British traditions and are nice people who don’t preach all that nonsense about legacy and how it has messed us up.

By: Rick Rock

Rick Rock — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:42:35 +0000

You talk about Britain “during the 18th and 19th century advanced slave trade”.

Britain outlawed slavery in 1807. In Scotland it was actually banned in 1778.

By: Baltic Fury

Baltic Fury — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 13:25:34 +0000

Yeah, create a honours list like the National Heroes Day – didn’t we run out of those with Dame Lois? Should be a very short list. Hilarious, and the comment about Prince Harry…why does she have to be little? – I’m not sure you are furthering your racist agenda (or is it empowerment?) with that comment. And the last staunch PLP supporter left on the island…. keep taking the medicine VJ.

By: VJ

VJ — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 11:50:02 +0000

I’m sorry, Dr. Hodgson, I have the greatest respect for you as a person but I was disgusted to see that you had accepted this award. Contrary to what you state, Great Britain is a very racism nation and during the 18th and 19th century advanced the slave trade. I suggest that you read some of the numerous articles on racism in the British empire available on the web. Like someone stated earlier, the Queen doesn’t know you from Eve, nor would you ever want to know you. Yes, she may politely shake your hand and give you a little tight lipped smile, but beyond that she has ZERO interest in you or the great fight we as blacks have fought….and are still fighting. Let Prince Harry bring a little black girl home and say he wants to marry her….would she allow it….HECK NO!!! This award does nothing for you, you know who you are and what you have accomplished. If you keep this award, I know that I speak for many black Bermudians in stating that I will never look at you quite the same. By the way, I am a staunch PLP supporter and I strongly believe that ANY member of the PLP should turn this merit down on a matter of principle….maybe we should look into creating our own honor list, although it won’t do anything ‘internationally’…not quite sure what it does internationally anyway! All the best in 2012 Dr. Hodgson!

By: Friendly Faces

Friendly Faces — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 11:43:37 +0000

Have you been at the sherry Eva, or did the white slave masters mess up your spellcheck?

By: So True

So True — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 05:48:09 +0000

Why would you care about the “international” value beyond Bermuda? What does that even mean? You speak in circles without actually saying anything. Put your money where your mouth is and turn down the “honor.” The island is tired of you perpetuating racism and hatred. Take your award if you must and retire your forked tongue.

By: Iwinbmskin!

Iwinbmskin! — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:40:29 +0000

I’m every bit embarrassed and disappointed that Dr. Hodgson accepted the UK’s queen’s honors award. The queen doesn’t know her from ‘Eve’. I always thought that Dr. Hodgson was a woman of conviction – unmoveable. However, her action in this regard has taught me otherwise. My faith in her has been permanently dashed.
Sorry to say, like the dames before her, she’s just another shallow Berkeley-ite with a gift for gab.

By: Cleancut

Cleancut — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 01:11:34 +0000

Yep, i agree star man, she’s a treasure, not a racist bone in her body, and a very kind individual.

By: PEPPER

PEPPER — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:54:01 +0000

It just goes to show you that material things like an OBE are more important than all of the hatred this women has said about the BRITISH EMPIRE… but I guess she will come out with something like what Dame Lois said ” my children said I should except this award… lord have mercy on these fools….

By: PEPPER

PEPPER — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:31:49 +0000

The Brits are having fun with this award…Eva you are being made a fool of.

By: Terry

Terry — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:25:25 +0000

2012, is the ‘future’. The past is such. Move on as Dr. Hodgson has but reminds us of such travesties.

Peace.

By: PEPPER

PEPPER — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:55:43 +0000

Amen to that !!! give us a break Lavern.

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:49:33 +0000

@ the future ….do you know anything of the past…..it was the British that stop slavery in Bermuda be it 100 years after the USA….it was also the UK..that well attempted to stop segregation in Bermuda…however that just went underground…

Just like my mother has done many great thing for me..that does not mean I want to stay home all my life…..

No one is stating the Britain is some evil empire…to be pro independent does not make one anti or hatred of British.

You have much to learn…

By: Real Talk (original)

Real Talk (original) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:44:26 +0000

Congratulations on your well-deserved OBE, Dr. Hodgson.

By: The Future

The Future — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:19:06 +0000

There have been few as dedicated to the cause of social justice as Dr. Hodgson, without question. In the face of severe criticism from many sides, she has, is and continues to tell it like she sees it, no matter who is uncomfortable with what she sees. For this she deserves respect and praise. But I would be remiss if at the same time didn’t point out that Blacks in Bermuda would not have experienced “atrocities at the hands on white Bermudians” if it were not for wholesale kidnapping, murder, plundering officially sponsored by and ordained by the “British Empire”. The human capacity to justify the unjustifiable is amazing. That in 2011 any British person can still utter the word Empire (as in Officer of the British Empire) with pride rather than shame, is very telling (for those who insist these atrocities are long past).

Never forget.

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 23:02:52 +0000

I do believe that all of the honorees are deserving of some kind of recognition for their outstanding service to our community. However it is my opinion that accepting awards borne out of repressive, dehumanizing establishments like colonialism, only serve to legitimize their horrific legacies and all done their name.
While it may be true that the British prevented Bermudian slaves from being castrated, it was colonialism that that gave rise to the kind of mindset that nurtured and sustained this kind of inhumane ideology in the first place.
It may be a meaningless gesture, but perhaps they should consider a name change for the awards. Maybe a good starting point would be to replace the word “Empire” with “Commonwealth”.

By: Shorta ranks

Shorta ranks — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:12:48 +0000

You are a big hypocrite. Next it will be Sir arthur and if Alex and Sir Walton. All a bunch of hypocrites. But then again when you go there will be No advocates on race because we will just get on with our lives and your name will be buried with your metal. Shameful. Hypocrtitical. Guess you’ll wear your dashaki to Buckingham to get it. Disgraceful.

By: Shorta ranks

Shorta ranks — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:09:43 +0000

Many deserve it because they don’t hate the British and what “it did to them” but Dr. Hodgson? Lord help us. Old-timers. No that is being too kind. She knows exactly what she did. First she condemns the British for the legacy and for slavery and what it did to blacks. Then she takes an award. Shameful. Sad.

By: Shorta ranks

Shorta ranks — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:06:09 +0000

Dame Lavern next. I tell you what a big joke.

By: Shorta ranks

Shorta ranks — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:04:51 +0000

Maybe her children told her to take it. Like the other hypocrites who changed their mind. Ludicrous. For those who did not condemn it no problem but all she does is complain when the rest of us work hard to make a purse out of a pig’s ear. Shameful is all I can say. But then again what can you expect. The word hypocrite comes to mind and is kinder then what I really want to say. Maybe Alec scott and Walton Brown will accept next.

By: Shorta ranks

Shorta ranks — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 22:02:01 +0000

You are so right. It is absolutely appalling, hypocritical and shameful that on the one hand Dr. Hodgson condemns the legacy of the empire then turns around and takes an award deeply rooted in EMPire: The Order of the British Empire. an empire that she said did so much damage she accepts an award from an empire that no longer exist. Shameful. shameful.

By: Triangle Drifter

Triangle Drifter — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 21:33:49 +0000

Oh gee, Laverne, which in the group is the hypocrite? Which one mas made it a lifes mission to denegrate anything British.

Like it or not, we are British you know. We could have been Spanish but they were not interested. We almost became American but they did not take advantage of the offer.

Whatever…Eva Hodgson is not the first hypocrite to accept an award from the Crown. She won’t be the last. Some folks can’t resist a bit of bling attatched to their name, earned or not.

By: Terry

Terry — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 20:46:48 +0000

Absolutely Eva. I have been subject too it. One has only to look at the past 40 years (after our experiences) to see the tide change towards the old times. Influx of certains that still are in control after supporting the old regime. Another book.