Today's Bermuda Sun features an excellent series of in-depth reports on the PLP Government's plan to ensure equality of opportunity in Bermuda.

A feature article by Nigel Regan tells the touching story of 'Jean,' a professional Bermudian woman who, despite her education and experience, has struggled with discrimination throughout her life. The Bermuda Sun:

Jean, not her real name, has been discriminated against in the workplace on more than one occasion. Here she tells us what happened and why it is so important for Bermudians to fight for their rights.

The Bermuda Sun goes on to chronicle roadblock after roadblock - glass ceiling after glass ceiling that Jean encountered in her struggle to succeed. She thought that education was the answer - and she earned both a college and graduate degree - but, in spite of her education and her experience, she still experienced discrimination.

Unfortunately, Jean's story is not unique. Too many Bermudians experience racial injustices everyday. And, the current laws on the books aren't enough to ensure that all Bermudians have equality of opportunity. That's why the PLP government is working toward a solution that will make sure that black Bermudians have the opportunity to succeed while simultaneously ensuring that Bermuda's economy continues to thrive.

The Bermuda Sun's Tom Vesey agrees. He first identifies the problem:

The fact is that we have a mess on our hands - a society in which whites have disproportionate wealth, and because of their disproportionate positions in the higher-paying jobs, a disproportionate opportunity to keep and increase their disproportionate wealth.

Then, he says that the Workforce Equity Act is a step in the right direction.

Employers argue that it's not their fault. They say they are keen to hire black Bermudians if only there were qualified black Bermudians to hire.

This is met with scepticism by many, especially black college graduates who complain they return to Bermuda to find doors closed in their faces.

In a sense, the Workplace Equity Act is a way of tackling this opposing perception head-on.

It doesn't appear particularly onerous. It doesn't impose a strict quota system. It doesn't require any business to hire any particular number of blacks.

It simply requires a very limited range of businesses (those with over 40 employees) to make a serious attempt at correcting racial imbalances.

Given the measured nature of the proposal, Vesey thinks that businesses will both take a second look at many black applicants who they had previously disregarded and that business would continue to thrive.

The only penalties mentioned are for refusing to cooperate: not for having a racially imbalanced workforce, or for failing to fix it, but for not trying to do something about it.

Isn't this what we're supposed to be doing anyway?

I'm confident that many businesses will work through the process and find they can do more to attract, keep and promote black Bermudians.

Vesey goes on to discuss the social factors that contribute to racism and distrust in Bermuda.

Blacks and whites in Bermuda often don't share the same social circles, for example, participate in the same sports, eat in the same restaurants, go to the same parties, attend the same schools and colleges or live in the same neighbourhoods or belong to the same clubs, or support the same charities.

They almost never have the same family connections.

This makes a profound difference in our ability to learn about jobs, successfully apply for them, and then work our way up the ladder of success.

He's exactly right. But, it's not just about finding jobs. As Jean knows, it's about getting hired. Many employers would rather hire someone that they know - even if another person is more qualified. It's about the trust - and references from a shared social circle help to build those ties.

Vesey goes on to say that improvements to education must accompany the Workplace Equity Act. And, we couldn't agree more. It is incumbent upon the PLP government and our education system to properly prepare our young people for the best jobs Bermuda has to offer. But, it is incumbent upon employers to look beyond race and class and make sure that all Bermudians have the opportunity to rise as far as talent will take them.