Column: Famous Says ‘Continue To Stand Firm’
[Opinion column written by Chris Famous]
“We shall not, we shall not be moved, We shall not, we shall not be moved, Just like a tree that’s standing by the water, We shall not be moved” - Mavis Staples
On Friday, March 4th, 2016 hundreds of Bermudians from a cross-section of our community answered the call to create a “Sea of Black” on the grounds of the House of Assembly to show their support for bi-partisan comprehensive immigration reform.
For two hours they stood in the cold and rain listening to impassioned speeches from fellow Bermudians highlighting a rational and balanced alternative to OBA’s proposed pathway to status.
In the midst of this gathering, in what can only be described as a prime example of where Bermuda is today, several OBA MPs including MP Trevor Moniz, MP Glen Smith, MP Jeanne Atherden, MP Jefferson Sousa and MP Cole Simmons opted to walk past hundreds of Bermudians without acknowledging the gathering.
Later, Premier Dunkley, in an attempt to justify not addressing the crowd, stated that he “wasn’t invited to speak and had an appointment to attend.”
One lady remarked: “This is how they truly think of us today, then tomorrow they will be asking us to vote for them.”
This seemed to be the opening salvo in what has become or reemerged as Bermuda’s most divisive social, economic and political issues: racism and immigration.
On Saturday, March 5th, the OBA Minister responsible for Immigration, Sen Michael Fahy decided to take to social media in an effort to push his agenda by lashing out at the hundreds of Bermudians who had gathered the day before and any other Bermudian not in favour of his proposed legislation:
So we have the unelected Minister of Immigration calling hundreds of born Bermudians: “dangerous to Bermuda and trying to destroy Bermuda.”
Take a look at the very good look at the pictures of those who attended the event on Friday. They are mothers, fathers, grandfathers, grandmothers. They are teachers, lawyers, engineers, tradesmen, accountants, pastors. These individuals come from a longline of persons who have built Bermuda over the last 400 years.
According to the OBA by them taking a stand in an effort to protect their children’s future, they are now labelled as “dangerous”.
It seems the outright contempt of those gathered by the OBA MPs on Friday, coupled with Minister Fahy’s online statements have given license to an onslaught of cyber hatred from OBA supporters over the weekend.
In America, there has been an outbreak of outright racism by persons who have become emboldened with the prospects of having someone like Donald Trump become president. “Trumpism” is the phrase being attributed to such persons.
Likewise, here in Bermuda with persons emboldened by having someone like Michael Fahy as Immigration Minister, there has been an outbreak of extra racism. Or just call it “Fahyism”.
To my fellow Bermudians, in the face of increased OBA oppression and cyber racism please continue to stand firm.
“We shall not, we shall not be moved, We shall not, we shall not be moved, Just like a tree that’s standing by the water, We shall not be moved” - Mavis Staples
- Chris Famous can be contacted via email at Carib_pro@yahoo.com or Twitter at @ryderz777
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My goodness, man – do you ever stop? You are responsible for arguably the most racist Bermudian page on Facebook (Bermuda Election 2012), where folks who think the same way you do have recently referred to people as “vipers, spewing venom” – and several even worse than that that I’ve thankfully managed to erase from my memory. I’m trying to refrain from using the phrase “pot calling the kettle black” as that’ll probably be twisted to be a racist statement, but that’s exactly what this is. Famous, you can’t harp on and on about white people (likewise your fellow non-OBA’ers) and then then sit back and call whites the races ones. I’m not for one second denying that whites can’t be racist – but it works both ways. Do us all a favour – invest in a mirror and look in it once in a while.
MJ stop trying to evoke a false moral equivalence. Whites in Bermudas have been the only so called racial group in Bermudians to practice racism in Bermuda.
Yet some of them continue to push the insidious and bizarre view, much like their cousins in the US south that they are the new victims of racism.
EVERY PERSON CAN BE A VICTIM OF RACISM…IF YOU DON’T BELIEVE THAT, THAN YOU’RE AN IDIOT!!
So you’re another dummy who thinks that black people cant be racist. Lmao. U really cant make this stuff up. Armageddon must be close if this is the mindset. Go crawl under a rock. The idiocy of some in this country amazes me.
The ONLY thing that effects whites from Black racism is FEAR !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Economic Power, Hiring practices ,social status, etc have Always and still being used by WHITE RACISM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
For all of you that have been long standing members of our community and have contributed to this country’s success and tax base–PLEASE do not be disheartended by the rhetoric that you are hearing in the media or at the recent protests and in pieces like the above.
The people voicing their opinion are a segment of society and do not represent the silent majority. We bellive you deserve the common deceny of recognition of your hard work and committment to this country.
I am certain the protestors have nothing personal against you all but they have been whipped into a polticial frenzy.
We are all human beings and deserve rghts and respect, no matter which side of this debate you are on.
Have a blessed day!
You’re delusional and and truly disconnected if you believe the silent majority are folks who support the government on this. The silent MAJORITY are actually the real generational Bermudians you won’t necessarily see at protests. The ones who watch this government cater to FOREIGNERS and “status holders” before them ALWAYS.
You would be the delusional one. As I remember the PLP asking to show that there are not a handful of us on the protest last Friday. Yet only a handful showed up LOL. You have a lot of growing up to do leave this debate for the grown ups.
Dear Ian,
Sorry to inform–I am neither of the things you have accused me of being.
I believe in the rights and dignity of all human beings. Simple as that and what I see right now is clearly diminsihing the fundamental elements of rights/dignities of a segment of our society that does not deserve to be treated in such a fashion.
Sorry our views don’t align-
I am sure you are a decent person none the less.
Real generaltional Bermudians like Mr. Chris Famous???? Clueless you are!!!!!!
Keep on talking Famous, they opposed your ancestors when they spoke up too.
Same S!@# different day.
Where were Mr Famous’s ancestors from?
I am sure they were from Africa and ended up somewhere in the west fighting for equal rights and justice, there are many places to pick from where they were dropped off but Im sure where they were dropped off they had to fight the evil of Colonialism.
St Kitts I believe
The same St. Kitts that’s selling passports for $250k? I know a few Bermudians who bought one as an escape plan should the current government investigate past contracts too closely.
Well at least they are not giving it away like here.
So they came here at their own free will & expense looking for a better life. They stayed so it must have been the right decision for them.
Unlike Europeans who invaded indigenous lands, but when our forefathers came here they were not treated equal on a level playing field like the Europeans. Those West Indians that came here were 1st generation slaves and they worked their @$$es off to survive and to fit in society, and then had to fight up until now to keep up with the standard of living, unlike most Europeans.
So how much people do you think is sufficient to be allowed to come here for 21 square miles?
You need a lesson in African history mate. If you think it was all wonderfull hand holding before the Europeans showed up you are completely delusional.
Oh why don’t you just shut the f*** up already with your racist mumbo jumbo. The whole world is not black and white! Next time they offer you the medication- just do us all a favor and take it!
The world is Black and white, Black people gave FREE labor for 4 hundred years and white people benefited and still are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trump and their supporters are vehemently against immigration.
His supporters talk about the dangers to their culture that immigration brings with it.
His supporters encourage violence and unrest against immigrants.
His supporters claim that Pres. Obama and the Democrats are forcing immigration through because of the perceived voting habits of the people that will be affected.
His supporters are against immigration due to the nationalities and colour of some of the people that it would benefit.
So Famous, exactly who are the true ‘Trumpers’ in this island again?
You and your supporters want to decline possible citizenship opportunities to long-term residents because of the colour of some of the beneficiaries from such a policy change.
You are Bermuda’s Trumpers.
Exactly. Famous and his crew are Bermuda’s version of the tea party.
actually at the original tea party(Boston) the caucasions pretended to be Indians!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!We are not trying to copy anyone nor follow anyone so no tea party here!
Are you sure that Mr. Famous is True Bermudian??????
You don’t get tired of being ironic huh. Any Trumper that finds themself emigrating to Bermuda will ultimately and undoubtedly be an OBA supporter. So stop being daft and pretending you don’t recognize the difference between a people’s sentiments being rooted and hate/bigotry/racism and them being rooted in a long history of oppressions/manipulation by a race of people. As to how we find ourselves in an age where you people have the audacity to refer to a certain group as racists, all while you continue to benefit and thrive on the implications of history’s WORST racism, continues to be shocking and laughable.
The people who want to build a wall in the US are Trump supporters and in Bermuda they’re the PLP.
So I ask you then:
In terms of Bermuda politics and this topic immigration who do the locals who oppose this amendment sound like?
a. Bernie Sanders
‘give pathways to citizenship to illegal immigrants..don’t break up families…’
B: Hillary Clinton
‘create a pathway to citizenship, keep families together, and enable millions of workers to come out of the shadows. ‘
or
C: Donald Trump
‘build a wall…deport…prevent from entering…America for Americans!’
———————-
Please, Ian, answer truthfully.
He can’t…but we see through his BUL*****….
I missed de action in de 60′s, but Ill definately have a front row seat now.
Just lovin it.
the revolution will not be televised. this is a precurser
Just remember Juice…This ain’t the 60′s…BIG TINGS a gwan!
Dying for your cause makes a REAL revolutionary…NOT an armchair rebel parroting misinformation…just goes to show how out of touch a segment of my Bermudians are…
RESEARCH RACE WARS BY DESIGN…The Agenda is in full swing …I can see it…yet YOU are blind to it and the outcome is bleek if you don’t wake up now!
@ Nasty Bunch
Well put. It comical that he compared Fahy to Trump and completely missed the overlap between the protestors’ and Trump’s positions.
The “conservative” labour party are the real Donald Trumps here.
Well said! The PLP have become Bermuda’s version of today’s USA Republican Party, that they are so conservative and not thinking about the future for all!!!
Funny how CTF’s email address is Carib_pro possibl, because he identifies his West Indian roots rather than his Bermudian ones??? Then again, he’s forgetting WE all come from somewhere & that the present PLP is more like Trump’s Republican party!
Your disregard for these people will drive them to the demagogues.
Quo Fata Ferunt
Most of the people don’t know what they are standing against…If you ask them, they either cannot answer, or spout off some unfounded rhetoric.
The HYPE campaign engaged in by all the groups set up to support the PLP in a mission to misinform, divide and created unrest are in full flow.
It is shameful.
Although I am not fully comfortable with the Pathways or any change to immigration…I understand the islands need for it and in the bigger scheme of things it is necessary.
Its like you have a terrible pain, you dont know what de problem is but you need to get it checked.
We want to get it checked.
LMFAO
Not at all like that. You are wrong AGAIN.
Yeah but who do you go to to get it checked ??
That’s what we pay de opposition for.
Why would I want an entity which has already failed to check my work..?? Jus sit back relax and let the OBA keep your head above water or sell your computer and invest in some scuba gear for when the PLP sends you right down the drain.
So the protesters disrupt a public information session robbing everyone the opportunity to listen and have their questions answered yet you are lambasting the Government for not stopping and having a chat with the protestors??? I can’t believe the hypocrisy of this small group of individuals.
Just get it done OBA
“…opted to walk past hundreds of Bermudians without acknowledging the gathering.”
Huh..I kind of remember DREB doing exactly the same thing during the march on sexual equality.
“..To my fellow Bermudians, in the face of increased OBA oppression and cyber racism please continue to stand firm.”
Really? Oppression and cyber racism? Jesus, you can almost hear the spittle as he hammers away at the keyboard.
If you don’t like me ,how or what should I do to make you like me..?
(do as you say…give you your way..??)
Mr Christopher Famous, You are a hypocrite of the largest order. Sad that you and your party is al about hate, and unfortunately this will come back to haunt these so called people you represent when no foriegn investment would not touch bermuda because of your hate.
black people do not have a history of hate, bigotry or alienation. TRY IT!site it!
So what happened in Rwanda? This is just for starters, because there are numerous examples? Another person in self denial. Sad.
@NLAM you don’t have to go to Rwanda to make a point – try anywhere in Bermuda
the lady (hunger) striker should rally about that, then i would consider joining her.
I think the people standing in the middle of the road last week were more like Trump. They are against foreigners, against respect for others, and against common sense.
the passion, the evocation to incite, the emotion…..I’m immune to it all. Lets see what the bill entails first, then get upset if it is warranted
Our family has been working here for over 25 years. We are beginning to feel the heat of hatred being turned up on us.
Should we request transfers and get out now?
yes how the hell were you allowed to stay so dam long
Because a big chunk of the RE industry is here Frankie and that is what we do.
If our dept moves shop to London/Zurich then that is where we will go.
The unpleasantness towards non Bermudians is really ramping up and to be quite frank Frank thats beginning to look like the most attractive option.
Yeah campervan…you bin er 25 yers?…shucks bie!…yu bin takin up space that frank coulda bin rentin for $10,000/month. Plus ur churens in one a dem priwet schools an he prolly couldn’t get his churens in thur…CHA mON!
Wow. Forget about the rent campervan has paid, the money they have injected into the local economy by working as a productive member of society for the last 25 years, which in case you have forgotten, as an expat they are required to do. Forget about the process of having to apply for a new work permit frequently, the fact that any qualified Bermudians could apply for said job every time it came up for renewal. The fact they were allowed to stay was clearly because no qualified Bermudians applied, if they did, the Bermudian gets the job….SMH.
You just made these poor people feel hatred like I don’t think I have ever seen before. Congratulations.
You shall reap what you sow.
csmpervan -stand your ground and stay strong.
Mr Famouse-
-Did you Get an Economics degree while working for Belco?
-Why are the OBA always wrong and the PLP always right?
-Have you ever seen hypocrisy in anything you ever said?
-Does it make you sick that Fahy has a spine and brains?
rhetorical questions yes… but good therapy for me at this moment.
Helooooo!!!
Maybe he’s finally found his niche in life…idk…but i will say this…opinion columns are just that and nothing more…We don’t need opinions because everyone has one…and we’re seeing where that gets us. If you coming with facts try to bring them ALL.
When will ALL Bermudians stop being so dismissive of eachother who have different opinions? The egos on this island are going to sink it.
Bermudian of Recent Vintage Tweed gave a speech about denying status to PRCs?
Fair enough. I can take a joke.
Just let me know whose job he nicked and I’ll be up there at the next circle in my black trenchcoat.
Well… In the middle of all this noise that is being made by some individuals, I find it very funny, because we as a Country can’t give rights to individuals that have been in Bermuda for most of there lives, a birth right.
Them I think that if we can’t agree to recognize the human rights part, why should we allow spouses married to Bermudians to work without a permit or even give them the right to status at 10 years? Let me guess the answer… Its not right! But its right not to give an individual its birth right or even someone that has been in Bermuda for 20,30 years.
This too shall pass.
NO MATTER WHAT THE OBA HAS DONE OR WILL DO IT WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR A HAND FULL OF PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND, THE PLP SAY WE BERMUDIANS NEED WORD YES I AGREE SO WHY WAIT UNTIL IF EVEN YOU GET ELECTED AGAIN, SHOW US YOU MEAN WHAT YOU SAY AND START CREATING JOBS FOR US, YOU ARE ALWAYS PUTTING THE OBA DOWN FOR WHAT EVER, BUT FOR 14 YEARS YOU ALL LIVED OFF OUR MONIES, THATS WHY THIS ISLAND IS IN THE STATE IT IS.
NO MATTER WHAT THE OBA HAS DONE OR WILL DO IT WILL NEVER BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR A HAND FULL OF PEOPLE ON THIS ISLAND, THE PLP SAY WE BERMUDIANS NEED WORK, YES I AGREE SO WHY WAIT UNTIL IF EVEN YOU GET ELECTED AGAIN, SHOW US YOU MEAN WHAT YOU SAY AND START CREATING JOBS FOR US, YOU ARE ALWAYS PUTTING THE OBA DOWN FOR WHAT EVER, BUT FOR 14 YEARS YOU ALL LIVED OFF OUR MONIES, THATS WHY THIS ISLAND IS IN THE STATE IT IS.
whose backsides do you think built most societies around the earth?And are still waiting to get paid!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!where is the receipt for services paid ?slavery cannot be abolished until the debt has been paid!
Guess who’s got ya money bruh…SOMEBODY got their reparations and did NOT include YOU…go ahead and Vote them in again…so they can take whatever you have left.
One lady remarked: “This is how they truly think of us today, then tomorrow they will be asking us to vote for them.”
I highly doubt anyone standing there today have EVER voted for the OBA LMFMO!
To Karen
You sound like an Expat stating that people have “lived of your money”
It is a fact that the OBA have had no real opposition by the people to their changes since being in Gov’t.
Term Limits were quickly dismantled – while Bda kept quiet (in disagreement)
Gaming was not discussed
SSM – they don’t want to touch this
Civil Unions – while everyone is discussing it – the OBA are legalizing it.
But with immigration – this will not go through.
This topic is so divisive that people will “stand up” and I will too.
good grief…
you keep saying bi partisan…but that is exactly what you have now…by definition!
what you want is bi partisan check book with our tax dollars innit….
or your in a big hurry to cover something up….
this is a non issue once again but you keepn harping onnit…b’dammit….your disturbing my peace!
as it is you have the tools to interact as bi partisan…but you don’t yourselves.. justbwho are you trying to fool fool?
I hear an echo…from past mistake is all I here!
hear…here…where it is eminating from.. where you are.. at….right there!