PLP Blog | Bermuda Progressive Labour Party

For the past several months Canada has been a major focus for the Bermuda Tourism.

First was the launch of the direct WestJet service in May and last month, Tourism carried out a successful outreach initiative when they hosted a luncheon for several members of some of Canada's most influential media outlets.

This week, we rolled out two street cars wrapped in bright pink Bermuda signage as part of their ongoing efforts to raise awareness in this important gateway market.

Tourism Director William Griffith:

This is all part of our strategy to ramp up awareness about Bermuda in Canada. We are looking to grow this market and in order to do that we need to ensure that we're engaging in some innovative methods which will set us apart from other vacation destinations.

From September to November these bright pink double-decker street cars will be positioned daily in high-traffic locations. When Canadians see these trolleys, we want them to not only think Bermuda, but we want to compel them to book a vacation to the Island. So we are thrilled about this promotional initiative.

This week's street car display is being launched in advance of an upcoming Canadian "Road Show" slated for September 13 - 16. The Road Show will see local hoteliers and partners descend on the Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal markets, and target travel agents and tour operators.

This latest marketing event follows the success of the pink taxis in London earlier this year and the Love Truck display in New York this past summer.

The PLP Government remains committed to our gateway markets. As a result of our combined efforts, we're already seeing growth out of the Canadian market. We believe that there's untapped potential in this critical gateway market and we've aggressively pursued it. We will continue to tirelessly promote Bermuda Tourism in our gateway markets and around the world.

To date, 1,190 DNA samples have been added to Bermuda's DNA database. And, more samples are being added everyday. This database will greatly assist the police as the offender database grows. Attorney General Kim Wilson:

These developments signify a major achievement in forensic evidence for Bermuda, prompted by the implementation of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 2006 which has revolutionized policing in Bermuda. As Attorney-General and Minister of Justice I am committed to law and order and the strengthening of the legislative and administrative infrastructure that underlies the proper and effective administration of justice. I am confident that this advancement in forensic evidence further demonstrates this commitment as it will continue to enhance and benefit Bermuda's criminal justice system.

When it comes to improving public safety in Bermuda, the PLP Government isn't resting. We're using cutting edge technology to bring criminals to justice. We're providing better training and equipment to our police. We're investing in prevention programmes. And, we're strengthening our laws. But, we can't do it alone. We still need your help. We need you to volunteer with programmes like MIRRORS. And, we need you to report suspicious activity to the police. Only together can we build a safer Bermuda.

Last night, PLP members in St. George's West, St. George's South and Warwick South Central met and elected three outstanding candidates to represent our party in the next general or by election. Those candidates are:

#2 St. George's West: JOHN GIBBONS
#4 St. George's South: LEROY BEAN
#26 Warwick South Central: MARC BEAN

A special congratulations to these three gentlemen. All will represent our party well and we look forward to welcoming them to Parliament!

Tickets are on sale now for next Friday's Green & White Beach Party. You're not going to want to miss it. The party will feature special guest hosts Terrence J and Rocsi from BET's 106 & Park as well as our very own Thaao Dill from HOTT107.5.

The party will also feature special guest appearances by Tichina Arnold, Tisha Campbell-Martin and Duane Martin.

Tickets are $40 a person. To get your tickets, print out this request form and fax it to 2956-7890 or contact us at 292-2264 or at gala@plp.bm

Don't miss it.

Today, Attorney General Kim Wilson announced that an electronic monitoring system for convicted criminals will be fully operational by the end of this month. She also noted that the vendor process selection for judicial videoconferencing is complete. Attorney General Wilson:

As you will recall, the electronic monitoring initiative was first announced in the 2009 Speech from the Throne, as a tool for the Judiciary, the Bermuda Police Service, Corrections and Court Services to assist in the monitoring of persons who are eligible to be released on bail. This system will be an extremely useful locator of a person’s whereabouts and the restriction and surveillance capabilities that it offers, will help to reduce the likelihood that the individual will offend again, particularly against the initial victim.

This initiative has been introduced to find ‘alternatives to incarceration’ within Bermuda without compromising the safety of society and to keep track of offenders. The system will allow for offenders to be electronically monitored as a condition of bail, parole and for probation orders so as to reduce dependence on incarceration and thereby reduce the cost of incarceration...

I am pleased to announce that we are currently in the final implementation stages of this project. It is anticipated that the Electronic Monitoring System will be fully operational by the end of September.

Members of the public will also recall the Ministry initiative to implement a judicial videoconferencing system in the courts to further assist in the prosecution process by allowing vulnerable witnesses such as children to give evidence at a location outside of the courtroom. This initiative will lessen witness intimidation, increase witness participation in the court process and result in more successful prosecutions.

I am pleased to report that subsequent to the vendor selection process and completion of contractual arrangements, as per my last update, the installation of the system is in progress with a view to early implementation.

Public safety continues to be a top priority of the PLP Government. It's why we're strengthening our laws, providing training for our police and bringing technology to Bermuda to help improve our justice system and rehabilitate criminals. But, the truth is, we can't do it alone. We need your help to fight crime. We need you to get involved with programmes like Mirrors. We need you to mentor our young people. And, we need you to call Crimestoppers if you have any information about crime or criminals. Only together can we solve the crime problem.

When it comes to Bermuda's tourism turnaround, there was good news across the board. Hotel stays are up. Air arrivals are up. Cruise arrivals are up. Yacht arrivals are up. And, visitor expenditures are up.

Bermuda’s economy got a significant injection during the second quarter, with visitor expenditure jumping up to $91.2 million - $113.5 million compared to $64.9 million - $84.7 million in 2009.

There's more good news. Consider:

Ø Total visitor arrivals for April, May and June 2010, increasing by 24.46% with 252,734 visitors flying, cruising and sailing to the island during this period, up from 203,067 during the same period in 2009.

Ø June’s occupancy of almost 88%, in major hotels, was the highest recorded occupancy percentage in the hotel industry in this category, in any given month, going back to 2007.

Ø Bermuda saw record cruise visitation during the second quarter, with 171,295 passengers sailing to the Island. This represents the largest second quarter total ever.

Ø Holland America Line’s Veendam will return to Bermuda in 2012. The premium cruise liner is scheduled to make 25 calls from New York, serving St. George’s and Hamilton; and

Ø Celebrity Cruise Lines is set to return to Bermuda for the 2011 season.

The international economic crisis has and continues to take it's toll. But, the facts are clear: the PLP Government is presiding over a tourism turnaround in Bermuda.

As we've done with all the candidates for Premier, below is the full, unedited speech delivered by Dale Butler announcing his candidacy:

Good afternoon and welcome to my official Press Conference announcing my bid to become the Party Leader of the PLP and Premier of Bermuda. I would like to thank PLP members, my family, friends and supporters for being here for this public announcement.

Thank you for coming to this historic occasion held right here within the foundation of the P.L.P. and with people who the Party want to help the most to be able to live in dignity and contribute to Bermuda even when in need because their basic need for shelter has been met.

As a former Minister, I attempted to highlight the plight of the homeless and as the Premier, community development will be the main plank in a revived Social Agenda that Bermuda, with so many resources, sadly needs.The building of a new shelter therefore, will be a priority within the first 2 budget periods. Radical to some but it gets to the heart of the matter and it will be led by a Homeless Commissioner who will also be a Senator who will be a “Spiritual Counsellor” to the Cabinet.

I joined the PLP at the age of 16 after hearing stories about the founders of the PLP and their goals and dreams for working class people and how much they cared about people.

Working class people who continue to work hard, try and raise their families and have faith in our 120 plus churches. Working class people who built clubs, lodges and schools with meager resources, but persevered. That fortitude was inculcated in me by my family and by Seniors when I listened to their stories told in my home, church and school. While much has changed in our families, we still have the resilience to do well. Yes, our strength has been here in the trenches from people who can take an apple and make a pie and take a 2 pound chicken and feed a family of 5. I am talking about our people who can work 2 and 3 jobs to make ends meet AND put a child through university because of their determination and tenacity to succeed.

As a Government, the PLP has attempted with child Day Care, Financial Assistance and housing to meet the needs of our people because of our record of caring. (Attached is our record of numerous achievements for all to see).Be that as it may, there are gaps. And one immediate step that can further help workers is to eliminate the payroll tax for those earning under $65,000 and let them have those funds.

Which means that under my Premiership, Team Bermuda will work with all ideas and with all Bermudians and guest workers who wish to assist and make Bermuda an even greater success for all. As the late leader of the PLP, L.F. Wade stated, “We need courage, conviction and commitment.” Team Bermuda agrees and as the next Premier the command to action will be given that we need to restore trust, accountability, integrity, honour and fairness.

Team Bermuda of the PLP can be a beacon of light and hope as we make Bermuda a better place for all as we develop national unity and a focus of purpose for our beloved country with its strengths and weaknesses.A Bermuda where everyone is included and Not excluded because of race, creed or colour.A Bermuda at work protecting the rights of its citizens so that from childhood to senior-hood we can do for ourselves with a Government that motivates for success, encourages and underlines its own and everyone’s responsibility to the common cause: TEAM BERMUDA, WHERE TOGETHER EVERYONE ACHIEVES MORE.

In concluding, I wish to thank the numerous people from all walks of life who have supported me over a 40 year period of community involvement from the classroom to the principalship; from being an Allen Star and Mother Sunbeam to being a Sunday School Teacher and Community Activist; from working with the anti-apartheid group from day one to honouring our community leaders and highlighting their contributions in print and events and now with our National Heroes Day.

As your Premier two more outstanding Bermudians will be chosen to celebrate. Ladies and gentlemen, it is from my numerous interactions and engagements with Bermudians that TEAM BERMUDA was conceived as the direction to take Bermuda with an emphasis on our new Social Agenda developing A Common Cause for a better Bermuda. It is from all of this that Team Bermuda was created. With all hands on deck, we can work to make Team Bermuda a reality in a country that is safe, happy, prosperous and successful for all of its shareholders and not just a few. The dream, the vision, not to be forgotten, not to be labeled but to be implemented for all to benefit.

We can be a happier people who are focused, making progress, contributing in creative ways and making this Team the Bermuda that our Founders dreamed of in 1963. Together Everyone Achieves More; the homeless; the handicapped; the family; the children; our seniors and our artists; our businesses; our graduates; our sportsmen; our males; our churches; our clubs and our Unions can all achieve for a common cause: Bermuda. At the moment a lot of our countrymen are unhappy. Make them happy by addressing their needs. There is little or no unity.They say hurricanes bring us together. We say we need a new model. We say our mutual interest can bring us together if we all try and remove every impediment that keeps us apart whether it be language, discrimination, racism, economics, education disparities or a lack of history. We are a small country that needs to focus on our issues in order to be successful.

Here now are some of the key components of the Team Bermuda New Social Agenda.

1. Crime: Team Bermuda will take every step legally possible to add to the Government’s current list of actions. In that regard, technology will play a key part.

2. Handicapped: Persons with disabilities. The development of an action plan with timelines will be a priority.

3. Education: Academics/evaluation/achievement; an all boys’ school and a commission to close a few schools schools and convert them into much needed community centres for youth, seniors and small business.

4. Drugs: Team Bermuda will continue to support the National Drug Strategy and do more to catch drug importers.

5. Underemployed: Some people also say unemployables. Stats indicate there are a growing number of young people without skills who are NOT working. This is clearly a case for Team Bermuda to come together and develop a programme to meet their needs. This has to be a priority because their numbers are growing, they have ability but need assistance. It has to be provided.

6. Community activists: So many people have good ideas which are often expressed on Talk Show Radio and the ideas may be missed. Team Bermuda will assess their ideas in an “Ideas Council” and contact them if the ideas will benefit Bermuda.

7. Lack of financial payments from some fathers: Review the reform package that Technical Officers currently have along with ideas recently expressed by Kevin Comeau. And release with an action plan The Rodney Smith Report.

8. The Mincy Report: The country awaits the action plan for its implementation. While I have concerns about it, we have to add to it and get going. Team Bermuda will develop an action plan and ensure its implementation no matter if it is one or two or 100 steps each year. The development of our sons is critical and will be a priority.

9. Hot-line: Develop one and publish results. Too much frustration is built-up when people cannot get small things done quickly.

10. A third national sport: Whereas we are an island and at the moment our national sports, cricket and football are land based and predominantly male, Team Bermuda proposes to make Aquatics a Third National Sport thereby increasing its funding. By doing this we will be able to meet the goals of a wider section of people.

How do you pay for all of this?

• a. There will be no more new “free” programmes
• b. Reduce waste and spending in Govt.
• c. Cuts in the Premier and Ministerial salaries. 20 % for the Premier and 10% for Ministers for a 2 year period
• d. Review and cut consultants. Use the advice of Technical Officers first and upon their advice maybe the use of local experts and last and only last a foreigner if the Officers so advise.
• e. Growth in international business and growth in tourism

AND SO TODAY WITH THESE FEW BRIEF WORDS ABOUT A REVIVED SOCIAL AGENDA WITH FRESH AND NEW IDEAS that address Community Development, I wish to thank our police for the work they are doing to make Bermuda safe; our nurses and doctors for the care they give and I send my sympathy to those who have lost a loved one….and to the victims of crime may they find peace and justice in our land. To our teachers and principals who are ready for the term ahead I commend them for the job they attempt to do everyday to make our school system better. And to our church leaders, I say, with your leadership and facilities we can develop our community together.

Together Everyone Achieves More. At this time I would like to thank everyone for coming who contributed a can of food to our campaign to feed the needy. After all is said and done, win or lose, this campaign has demonstrated in word and deed that we care.To the Salvation Army, Major Loveless, please accept these gifts from the people of Bermuda. The remainder of the Team Bermuda Plan will be released tomorrow night at 6.30 p.m. rain blow or shine at Harbour Nights where the people who attend represent our rainbow, Bermuda.

I will then deal with Part 2: The Bermuda Regeneration Plan:

• 1. Corruption allegations
• 2. Business
• 3. Clubs
• 4. Consultants
• 5. DAB to name but a few. Come and find out about appointing a Green Senator and a Senator who will be responsible for a Comprehensive Seniors Plan, the Homeless and persons with disabilities and also be a “Spiritual Counselor” to the Cabinet.

Now let’s enjoy some fishcakes which are being distributed if you have a just across the road at The Wok who have been keeping them warm. The Major and homeless first.

Today, Premier Ewart Brown announced a 37% increase in cruise arrivals and a 24.5% increase overall. While the global economic crisis continues to rage, the tourism turnaround is alive and well. Premier Brown:

Air, cruise and yacht visitation to Bermuda in the second quarter all showed increases year over year.

Total visitor arrivals for April, May and June 2010, increased by a dramatic 24.46% with 252,734 visitors flying, cruising and sailing to the island during this period, up from 203,067 during the same period in 2009.

Air arrivals to the Island increased 3% in the second quarter, with 77,512 visitors flying to the Island in April, May and June – up from 74,985 in 2009.

The positive affects of additional airlift out of the Canadian market have seen air arrivals from this region increase by an astounding 42%, an increase of 3,060 Canadian visitors to Bermuda.

Numbers out of Europe were positive as well, with an 18% increase in European visitors.

More good news - air visitors stayed longer on the Island this quarter compared to 2009 with 5.82 nights compared to 5.74 nights.

Average stay in commercial properties also increased in this quarter to 4.72 nights up from 4.66 nights.

Visitation in commercial properties also increased by almost 7% in the second quarter of 2010 with 57,707 visitors choosing to stay in paid accommodations during this period.

Hotel occupancy figures from the Bermuda Hotel Association also indicate that hotel occupancy for the quarter has increased by 11 percentage points averaging 69%, compared with 58% in the second quarter of 2009.

April’s occupancy percentage in BHA member hotels was 54% compared to 48% in 2009; May was 74% compared to 56% in 2009; and June saw a double digit increase with 79% compared to 69% in 2009.

Contrary to recent reports that occupancy levels of hotels were lagging 2008's performance, the complete picture is very different and far more optimistic.

June’s occupancy of almost 88%, in major hotels, is the highest recorded occupancy percentage in the hotel industry in this category, in any given month, going back to the bumper year of 2007.

Premier Brown went on to note that cooperation with the private sector is working:

The current partnership and communication between the Department of Tourism and the Bermuda Hotel Association has progressed positively in recent months to one that will serve the industry very well in the years to come.

You’ll of course recall their recent announcement of the launch of the Tourism Mega Fund. I am particularly pleased that the BHA has embraced the concept of financial participation in the marketing of Bermuda tourism...

Turning to cruise arrivals Bermuda saw record cruise visitation during the second quarter.

171,295 passengers sailed to the Island which represents the largest second quarter total ever.

Cruise arrivals soared over 37% during this quarter, an increase from the 124,553 cruise arrivals in 2009.

Turning to yachts, visitation increased by 11% in quarter two, stimulated by the Newport to Bermuda Yacht Race which brought a total of 1,588 yachtsmen to the Island for the race alone in June.

Total yacht arrivals for the quarter saw 3,927 yachtsmen arrive on our shores, an increase from the 3,529 yachtsmen that sailed to the island in 2009.

Ladies and gentlemen, the second quarter arrival statistics weren’t the only positives. There were several other highlights worthy of mention.

 Team Tourism carried out a very successful Road Show in the UK, with hoteliers and partners, and we continue to focus on the UK as an important target market.

 The arrival of the Veendam for 24 cruises in 2010 heralded the first dedicated ship in Hamilton Harbour in three years and is just one of the reasons for the magnificent cruise season that we are having. Holland America has already announced its return for 2011.

 And today, the Ministry of Tourism and Transport is pleased to announce that Holland America Line’s Veendam will return to Bermuda in 2012. The premium cruise liner is scheduled to make 25 calls from New York, serving St. George’s and Hamilton.

Holland America Line offers a premium cruise product and their presence here has contributed to improving the ambiance and the economy of both St. George’s and Hamilton.

Although she is too large to navigate Town Cut, the tender operation has proven to be successful in providing Veendam’s guests with a St. George’s experience.

The Veendam has a capacity of approximately 1,400 guests, and is projected to bring 34,000 visitors to Bermuda in 2012, making a financial contribution of up to $7.5 million to Bermuda’s economy.

 Also, this quarter we were successful in attracting Celebrity Cruises to return to Bermuda for the 2011 season. Celebrity Cruises was a major part of our cruise product in the early 1990’s and we are pleased to have successfully negotiated their return.

 Westjet arrived on May 3 with its inaugural flight. We predicted then that this would be a game changer in our ability to grow the Canadian market. So far we’ve been correct and we are committed to the long term viability of two carriers from this market.

 We announced the appointment of Karla Lacey as the new Director of the Bermuda Hospitality Institute (BHI). The BHI launched its Summer Hospitality Programme and 28 young people between 16 and 19 years-old participated. Three young people were hired to work beyond the programme, including 16-year-old Brooke Caisey who is now working the front desk at Newstead Belmont Hills.

 Team Tourism, along with our Bermuda Hotel Association partners, launched a comprehensive Endless Summer destination promotion, aimed at increasing arrivals for August, September and October. Early indications are that this promotion is doing very well in the market.

Looking forward to the third quarter of 2010, we have an array of exciting events planned as we continue to stimulate air arrivals.

The PLP Government isn't resting on our laurels. We're continuing to work to bring tourists to Bermuda's shores. Consider:

Of particular notes are the Bermuda Tango Festival next month, the 2010 Bermuda Music Festival from Sept. 30 – Oct. 2; the Perfect 10 wedding promotion from Oct. 8 - 13; the PGA Grand Slam of Golf Oct. 18 – 20 and the Bermuda Goodwill Golf tournament in December...

Meanwhile, the Perfect Ten Promotion was launched in April, in partnership with knot.com.

The concept – giving 10 brides and grooms the opportunity to win a free wedding in Bermuda on October 10, 2010. This competition has delivered significant results with over 800 couples entering the contest.

The 30 finalists, 3 couples for each wedding, drew nearly 10,000 votes between them. Via the different pages on the website Bermuda received 3.8 million impressions.

The awareness generated is immeasurable. As we progress with the competition, stories are being created around each of the couples who come from all over the Northeast US.

In fact over 2,000 future brides have expressed an interest in Bermuda as a possible location for their wedding. Needless to say, we are in active communication with them.

One exciting development related to this promotion is the commitment of Jet Blue who agreed to support the initiative with a free charter to bring down the couples and eight of their guests.

Canada will also be the focus of attention in September to capitalize on the markets traditional winter booking period. Director of Tourism Billy Griffith recently returned from Toronto, having hosted a media luncheon for 30 influential newspapers, trade press and magazines.

There will be a joint tourism / hotelier Road Show in Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal starting on the week of September 13.

The following week will see Bermuda hosting the top 75 selling travel agents from the Canadian market. This will coincide with a similar travel agent group visiting from the United States.

We're also planning for the future - taking Bermuda's appeal beyond our gateway markets.

And while not necessarily a third quarter initiative, I believe it is important to share that the arrival of an Indian delegation of influential business professionals in May was the direct result my visit to India earlier this year.

One of the major undertakings will be the filming of the Bollywood movie Veera in Bermuda. This is a huge production and we cannot help but be excited about all of the benefits that this kind of exposure will mean for the Island.

However it’s more than just exposure, this partnership includes educational and business opportunities and we are thrilled to be making the connection with our friends in India.

The global economic recession continues to take it's toll. But, these numbers make it clear that Bermuda is, indeed, in the midst of a tourism turnaround.

The PLP Government created the Technology Leadership Forum Internship Programme to create opportunities for our young people. And, we're pleased to report that they're embracing that opportunity.

Friday's graduation ceremony culminated an intensive 12 week summer internship where they acquired experience in the ICT industry through both classroom learning and fieldwork as members of staff at participating companies.

Minister Michael Scott noted that the programme is good for Bermudians and for Bermuda's economy. There's a shortage of Bermudians experienced in the ICT sector and plenty of opportunity. Minister Scott:

ICT can lead to significant advances benefitting society such as in the fields of telemedicine, e-democracy, coordinating relief efforts in times of disaster, public safety, protecting the environment, sustainable energy, and so on.

I would like to congratulate this year’s TLF graduates and have no doubt that they have been inspired by the possibilities, the power and the important role that ICT plays, not only in business but in these other important areas as well. I hope they will help to create ICT solutions to solve some of these pressing problems of society, not only for Bermuda, but for the benefit of all.

The public-private partnership involved companies including BELCO, RENRE, Bermuda Hospitals Board, the Departments of E-Commerce and E-Government, KeyTech Group, EGL - Edmund Gibbons Group, Nova, Northrock, Quo Vadis, Department of Labour and Training, Bermuda College, ICS and the Accountant General’s Department.

For more information on the Technology Leadership Forum’s Intern Pilot Programme, and how you can take advantage of this opportunity, please visit www.TLF.bm.

Premier Ewart Brown called for Bermuda to continue the big conversation in an opinion piece in today's daily.

Today, people of conscience gather around the world in recognition of UNESCO’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. While slavery, the most evil, vicious and despicable system of oppression devised by man has managed to survive in various forms across the globe and into the 21st century, here in Bermuda we are celebrating almost 200 years of freedom from bondage.

During the slave trade, slaves who were rebellious, disrespectful, or bold could be whipped, maimed, disfigured or killed in front of the other slaves. This would send a message that the African slaves were to know what the slave master called, “their place.” As a result, many of us learned to whisper when we should be outspoken, smile and joke when we should be angry and self medicate to hide our pain. We learned that intelligence, confidence and self –respect were characteristics to be feared and despised rather than admired.

Both blacks and whites have been damaged by the practice of slavery and post abolition practices. Unearned privilege and expressions of indignation on any mention of race have been the dominant theme. As a product of a racially divided Bermuda I made the decision early in my tenure as Premier that I would not preside over the economic and technological advances in my country without instilling in my people a healthy understanding and knowledge of the truth – past and present. For that reason we initiated the Big Conversation, to break down the walls of silence and our cross racial fear of addressing the real issues that continue to divide our people.

Since 2007 the Bermuda Race Relations Initiative has tackled the issues of racial disparities in wages, unearned privilege, Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, racism in the media and other relevant and timely topics. The initial conversations have been raucous and have caused discomfort but for the good of all Bermudians had to happen. Some Bermudians, both black and white have chosen not to engage in the conversation. Others have chosen to argue that simply discussing race creates division and hatred between our people. Therefore there is a stalemate of sorts where those of us who have encouraged the Big Conversation have had to wage an uphill battle to keep the dialogue going. It is encouraging however that a significant number of whites have chosen to engage, having seen that the Big Conversation was not about platitudes and revenge but about having a real, substantive and sometimes uncomfortable conversation about race in Bermuda. Getting past the discomfort that these discussions caused required courage, determination and commitment and we salute those who pressed on and helped to keep the conversation going. This will lead to the next stage; greater cross racial understanding and counter-racist action by both black and white Bermudians. This will lead inevitably to policy changes that acknowledge and address the reality of racial disparities between black and white at the systemic level. This will not happen overnight. Patience will be required.

The challenges before us are clear. In 21st Century Bermuda many college educated black Bermudians still make less money than non-college educated whites. This is not only unacceptable but is a contributing factor to racial tension. A society that accepts the notion that white skin is more relevant to economic opportunity and success than education and hard work will see increasing social unrest, rising levels of social alienation and a perpetuation of the cycle of division and hatred that has afflicted the relationship between blacks and whites for hundreds of years.

The Mincy Report has revealed that many of our young black males are lacking in “soft skills,” the personal attributes that improve and enhance job performance, social interaction and the ability to work with and interact effectively with authority figures. Lacking these skills, our young men are condemned to struggle to gain and maintain meaningful employment and more likely to become alienated from our society. We will need to provide our people with these skills and the relevant training to eliminate this obstacle to opportunity and to protect the stability of our island and our economy.

These are just a few of the challenges that we will need to address as we move from conversation to action, but without addressing the issue of unearned privilege real progress will never be attained. In a system and culture developed through white supremacy, all whites enjoy the benefits of their skin color whether they are overtly racist or not. Consequently, there is a major role to be played by the white community. By continuing the Big Conversation, engaging in meaningful, constructive dialogue, challenging racism whenever it appears and recognizing the impact that unearned privilege continues to play in our country the goal of racial reconciliation will become a more likely reality.

Let us go forward united in the principles of justice and freedom, committed to tearing down the structural and institutional barriers that reinforce old wrongs. I urge Bermudians to continue the Big Conversation and move Bermuda forward!

The conversation goes on. The work continues.