CURB: “Socially Conscious Business Model”
Jonathan Reiss’ speech at the Bermuda Captive Insurance Conference, together with a recent ABIC presentation to their members on Diversity & Inclusion, “shows that the International Business sector in Bermuda is beginning to move towards a more socially conscious business model,” CURB said, adding that they “welcome all voices that choose to begin the journey of greater understanding.”
“Bermuda has struggled with race relations for decades,” Mr Reiss said at the Conference. “Attitudes have changed for the better. But the economic disparity, and the unfairness of how that disparity arose, remains largely unresolved.”
A CURB spokesperson said, “Jonathan Reiss’ recent speech to the Bermuda Captive Insurance Conference should be welcomed for the truth that it contained. Initially we were surprised that it was met with glowing support and a standing ovation, but we understand the racial dynamics at play here.
“Although such comments are rare, coming from a White male of power, they have been stated many times over the decades by Blacks in the community from whom a heavy social and economic price was extracted.
“However, Dr. Eva Hodgson, who has fought for racial justice for over 75 years, once said to a group of CURB members that it did not matter the colour of the person’s skin the message came from, as long as the message got out.
“As we reflect, international business in 2007 were among the first to come out publicly in support of the Workforce Equity Act which, had it been passed, might have mitigated some of the inequities we see today. However, a strong backlash from the local business community silenced the international business community and buried that draft Act. Perhaps they will show greater courage now.
“Likewise, when HSBC opened up shop in Bermuda they published jobs with salary ranges, as occurs in many jurisdictions in which they operate, however we note that this is no longer the practice.
“Mr. Reiss’ speech at the Bermuda Captive Insurance Conference, together with a recent ABIC presentation to their members on Diversity & Inclusion, shows that the International Business sector in Bermuda is beginning to move towards a more socially conscious business model; understanding the value proposition of such a move in a global business economy but also the broad social implications and the risk management need of stability of jurisdictions.
“International businesses can, by the training of staff, C-suite involvement, exposure to inequities through internal evaluations of policies, procedures, pay scales and benefits that may have implicit biases in place, the empowerment of Human Resource staff, and relationship and community building within companies, make significant progress in bringing about racial equity.
“But the real success will be whether the international business companies make a commitment to a timeline to work towards. We stand ready to work with the international business sector in particular to bring about racial equity in this community.
“To that end CURB encourages and supports individuals like Jonathan Reiss for taking an initial step toward equality. We encourage the Association of Bermuda International Companies in their work with their membership to bring about greater diversity and equity within their industry.
“We support the Dive-In Festival, a worldwide festival of diversity and inclusion in the insurance industry, and the local companies in the insurance industry who support the annual festival in Bermuda.
“CURB was formed as a multi-racial organization focused on racial justice, and throughout the years we have stayed true to our mission statement. We recognize that the road to racial justice is a long one and welcome all voices that choose to begin the journey of greater understanding of the division in our community and who are willing to work towards a greater equity.”
Will there be racial equity in the civil service going forward? And in the government?
So when will CURB condemn Burch and others for racist statements?
Didnt you see? They actually condoned his statement! Theyre just a joke like him. Too bad the joke is on us bc he is actually in our government. Come on you plp supporters that eould excuse anything – how do you explain blatant racism?
Curb you have absolutely no credibility whatsoever after defending blatant racism. No one cares what you have to say.
The usual self-serving drivel from CURB.
What a useless defunct group but I think they thrive on criticism which in their minds makes them meaningful
CURB is another branch of the plp/biu stormtroopers and anyone with any common sense knows you are full of crap!
What Mark said. Curb is irrelevant and nothing more than an apologist group.
Ditto
Don’t get it twisted people – Reiss was simply the Diversity spokesman this year. Heard it all before. All talk. CURB makes people uncomfortable because they are the only group that shines a light on racism.
” CURB makes people uncomfortable because …”
They are hypocrites themselves…but many turn a blind eye to this…so they can continue with their pathetic victim mentality.
Because they are the only group that shines the light on racism …… and suggests no workable solutions to the issue.
Withdraw charitable donations to CURB starting with walking past them if they sell tags. Keep reminding them they have lost their way. Clearly no about uprooting racism.
To say that International Business is “beginning to move toward a socially conscious business model” is insulting and naive in the extreme. International Business participates heaving in local social programs that include charities, education support, job training, environmental clean-up, etc. etc. They spend millions of dollars and hundreds of hours of time in support of a country that is their temporary home. IB actively tries to hire local Bermudians, especially black Bermudians, where possible. They have been always been socially conscious and should be highly commended for it.
@San Patrick – wrong. CURB is a group of Virtue Signallers who believe racism is a one-way street. They are ‘dismayed’ at police using 315F in an effort to stop the violence. Violence where almost 100% of the victims are young black men. CURB is doing more harm by promoting this notion that all black people in this island are victims of some covert white plot. Nonsense. CURB’s white members totally subscribe to this notion that if they conspicuously proclaim their role in this ‘fight against racism’, they have atoned for their long-dead relatives ‘sins’. They decry their so-called ‘white privilege’ in the most conspicuous way. CURB – a group that does more harm than good.
To say that International Business is “beginning to move toward a socially conscious business model” is insulting and naive in the extreme. International Business participates heaving in local social programs that include charities, education support, job training, environmental clean-up, etc. etc. They spend millions of dollars and hundreds of hours of time in support of a country that is their temporary home. IB actively tries to hire local Bermudians, especially black Bermudians. They have been always been socially conscious and should be highly commended for it.
Exactly right. The main source of charitable fnding in Bermuda has been IB for decades now. They’re always doing things for the community.