Black Lives Bermuda to hold forum - Royal Gazette

The Black Lives Bermuda campaign said yesterday it planned to hold a forum on social media to discuss problems faced by black Bermudians.

The group said in a statement released today that it intended to offer practical methods to “disrupt the status quo”.

Campaign organisers added that a common theme on racism in Bermuda, based on social-media comments, was that “no matter how hard we work, how educated we are, or what school we attend, attaining a prosperous life seems out of reach for most”.

It said Bermuda’s high cost of living and income gaps had driven many black people to move overseas.

The statement added that high grocery costs had made fresh produce a “luxury” for black Bermudians.

The group thanked supporters for turning out in force for a march last Sunday in support of the Black Lives Matter movement in the United States.

The march was sparked by the death of George Floyd, a black man, at the hands of a white officer during his arrest in Minnesota on May 25.

The statement said many black Bermudians had lived in the US or had family there, and were “keenly aware of the racial discrimination that continues to rock that country”.

The hashtag #BeingBlackInBermuda trended before the march and was used by people to discuss the impact racism in Bermuda had had on their lives.

The group said politicians were not enough to deal with the problems faced by black Bermudians and identified the top areas for change as:

• The impact of the cost of living on quality of life

• The quality and competitiveness of public education

• The effect of immigration on job opportunities

• Local banking and the housing market

• Access to start-up capital for black businesses

• Community organisations and criminal justice

The group said the time for the forum would be announced on social media and appealed for the public, especially “black Bermudians who have felt voiceless”, to take part.

The statement added: “We will build on what begun this weekend, and mobilise to create the Bermuda that our parents, grandparents, and ancestors fought so hard for.”

•To read the statement in full, click on the PDF link under “Related Media”.

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