By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette yesterday spoke out against remarks made by Tennyson Wells, blasting the former parliamentarian and Cabinet minister for using political tactics that should be “relegated to history books”.
According to the former St Anne’s MP, the idea that racial lines still exist within the country’s political forum is absurd. He stressed that voters see political candidates through a colourless lens, where skin colour takes a backseat to work ethic and ability.
Mr Symonette’s comments came in response to questions about a potential racial divide in the Free National Movement (FNM).
On Sunday, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn said he was accused of being “racist” during a FNM policy meeting, admitting to The Tribune that he is concerned efforts are underway in the party to define him as such because of his criticism of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis.
Mr Lightbourn added that he had been informed that Mr Wells recently called him “racist.”
When contacted on Tuesday, Mr Symonette said he has lost “all understanding” for “the means in which politics and politician operate.”
He added that it was time for politicians to move away from using the race card as a political tool.
“It has to stop,” the former minister of foreign affairs and immigration said. “There is no space in our political arena for comments like that, as you know, the FNM is made up of a wide range of Bahamian men and women who are dedicated to moving the country forward. We have to stop bringing race into it.
“It baffles me that people still think this way despite years of progress and development in this country. We are beyond all of this, the voters have shown that they are beyond it, so the politicians should do likewise and campaign on skill and ability and not race.
“My passport says Bahamian, that is all that matters. I know that when people read or hear these comments they are going to say, ‘that’s Brent Symonette talking like that because he is a white Bahamian.’ I expect that, but I also expect a large percentage of Bahamians to look at the people vying for political office and say, ‘I want the best person for the office, it doesn’t matter if they are black, white, green, yellow or red.’”
He added: “It is 2016, we have interracial marriages, we have blacks and whites mixing throughout our culture. I am not attempting to sidestep or hide the days in this country where racism was an issue, all I am saying is that we as people have done so much to move away from that and it is unnecessary for politicians to use that card, that act, that tactic to divide our people.”
When asked if there was ever a time when members of the FNM divided themselves along racial lines Mr Symonette said firmly: “No.”
“I am a white Bahamian, I served under a black Bahamian - at no point did we operate as such. We always operated as a group of Bahamians dedicated to improving our society. That is the FNM way; that is what the FNM I knew was built on. This nonsense Tennyson Wells is speaking about, I have no idea where that is coming from.”
Mr Wells confirmed that he believes Mr Lightbourn is “racist” when contacted on Sunday.
Though some observers feel that friction in the FNM stems from Dr Minnis’ leadership issues, Mr Wells said the party is split along racial lines and is reckoning with its history of being dominated by “white interests.”
Mr Wells, who left the FNM in 1999, has since said he supports Dr Minnis as party leader.
Infighting within the FNM has played out in the media in recent weeks, with an apparent split between those who back Dr Minnis and those who do not. The party is expected to hold a convention by November, however, it is unclear if anyone will challenge Dr Minnis for his post.
Comments
lkalikl 8 years, 9 months ago
Thank you! To hell with Wells! To hell with Minnis! To hell with all the actual racists in this country and to hell with the PLP!
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
Right...‘Time To Stop Using The Race Card In Politics’. Use the Corruption Card Instead!
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
In my opinion, corruption is promulgated in the PLP, but tolerated by the FNM. How do I know? Have you ever seen an FNM government seek charges against a corrupt official? It is not enough to say "I dont steal" while at the same time say "but I wont push for those I know are stealing to be prosecuted for their crimes." I think some prominent FNM figures have been content to simply say "I didnt steal anything", but they cannot go further to say and show what they established so that no matter who the crook is, the problem of corruption is dealt with in a systemic way. So in effect, their outlook was repuation-serving, not nation building.
reverendrichlive 8 years, 9 months ago
As in the USA, so in the BAHAMAS. It is always the white racists OPPRESSORS who are the first to accuse the oppressed of using the race card. What reverse psychology. The ones who invented the " race card " do not want you to use it....'cause the " race card " is only to be used by the few priviledged whites when they deemed it necessary...give me a break, what a joke. Symonette is in no position to tell any person of color anywhere about " using the race card. How about returning all the land your late father, " Pop Symonette " stole from black folks over the hill...and let's not forget the many babes he fathered also. Brent has many black brothers and sisters over the hill which he would never recognized. BRENT SYMONETTE is RACISTS...RICHARD LIGHTBOURN IS RACIST...a lot of blacks are racist against other black due to the mind conditioning of slavery. It a reality, its the truth, so stop the lie that you don't see color. That's one sure sign of a racist when they proclaim, " I DON'T SEE COLOR "...even Stevie Wonder could see that for what it is, A LIE ! www.masterichlkemp.com
GrassRoot 8 years, 9 months ago
Well to be in Politics, it takes more than a loud mouth. I needs also that the mouth is backed up by a brain and balls, to know when to open your mouth and do the honorable thing and when not.
That's a test that works with any (male) politician and ex-politician. go and apply it to your favorite or non-favorite politicians. That whats make a politician, ex-politician or to be politician fit for office.
thomas 8 years, 9 months ago
Totally agree. There are many things tearing this country down and the white man isn't one of them.
mangogirl01 8 years, 9 months ago
Totally agree!
reverendrichlive 8 years, 9 months ago
TOTALLY IGNORANCE AND FOOLISH TO THINK AND TO SAY THAT...child, when ya dumb, ya dangerous... www.masterichlkemp.com
sealice 8 years, 9 months ago
it's because they only know how to throw dirt it's because they are mathematically challenged and don't realize less then 10% of the population can't possibly divide anything It's because this is part of Fred Mitchell's pre election monologues when he preaches hate Mr. Wells is the ass who destroyed the reef's in Abaco with his fishing business and when he was confronted with it blamed it all on his wife because as a sitting member of parliament he had transferred all of his business's to here name. someone says something to challenge the position of someone else and the first thing out of his mouth is racist we might as well be wearing fucking bellbottoms and listening to disco
mangogirl01 8 years, 9 months ago
I like bell bottoms but you are correct, Mr. Wells needs to sit his old, tired ass down and Dr. Minnis was wrong to welcome his endorsement as ain no one gives a shit about what Mr. Wells has to say! His words carry no weigh!
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Minnis was indeed absolutely wrong, but he is intrinsically wrong as a person, so need we be surprised? He is blatantly and shamelessly making moves against the interests of his own party and by extension, the country at large. This is just the latest in a string of such moves.
mangogirl01 8 years, 9 months ago
Mr. Symonette would make an excellent prime minister but some Bahamians still stuck on the stupid racist card! All along it is our own Black Bahamians keeping some of our people down!
leonardlaing 8 years, 9 months ago
Mr. Wells just came from under the rock he tried to destroy the FNM's before he needs to go and run in Bamboo Town and run independent again he is a lost man.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
This, actually, is not true. Mr. Symonette may want to it be true, but it is not true. The fact is, race does matter to people - whether "white" or "black" or "in-between". If it did not matter, it would not be a viable stratagem - and it is. This is the problem we have when dealing with race. We do not deal with it truthfully, we deal with it based on the way we want it to pan out or through our own rose-colored glasses. Some white people see black people a certain way and vice versa. The key is not to deny that reality, but rather to understand it and all the hard truths that come with it, and then reach people from that standpoint. This does not mean all the judgement calls we make based on race are either moral or logical - it simply means they exist and are pervasive and to deny that is to deny reality. Every time someone says they are colorblind, I laugh at how dishonest that is. You are not colorblind - you see exactly what color society has labeled a person as. Now, if you want to say you don't make a judgement call solely on color, that's one thing. But to say you do not see it at all as though it does not exist is a lie and is actually insulting, since race as a dynamic of culture, ethnicity, etc is not only skin deep. Even though Mr. Symonette is at least a mulatto (his grandmother is black), people see him as a white man and the son of a UBP Premiere. He cannot escape that if he hopes to run, nor can he think he can successfully beat people down for how they may see certain things relative to race - especially since the issue of judgement calls based on race go in both directions. It is true that we should deal with persons based on the content of their character but we do not, even in the systems of this world that we live by. What Wells is doing and Minnis is co-signing is of course a disgrace simply because of how lazy and trite it is politically and how base it is socially - but simply dismissing it and tactics like that as that, won't make dealing with the stratagem any easier. The reality is, race is not simply a card. And no, it is not something that just does not exist. And what is also reality is how people view calling for the race card to be put away and who tends to call for it in the world and in society, especially since the race card is not put away when the reverse is the case.
thomas 8 years, 9 months ago
Pure nonsense. Race matters for those looking for a scapegoat or to deflect from the truth. For instance, what part did race play in BOB, BAMSI etc.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Okay. Read what was posted, comprehend it fully and try again - because you obviously missed the crucial comprehension step.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Fair enough; it stands having not comprehended what was stated - but that is ofcourse, your right.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I still want you to explain to me how a white person is saying it is acceptable to be hated because of my color. I'll wait.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
You said: You were quietly arguing that black on white racism is somewhat acceptable and I said that it is not. Racism, period, is unacceptable.
I am asking you how myself, a white person, could logically and rationally make such an argument? And no, I did not need to state up front my race - but you made an assumption about it. Ask yourself why you did, and then see if what I raised in my initial posts makes any more sense to you than it may have initially. I ask that respectfully by the way, I'm not seeking to be pejorative.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I'm aware of those arguments and the basis of them. Some of the arguments are actually not illogical at all and the solid arguments among them are not advocating hatred, but it is true that no matter where we are from in the world, we should not hate or violate people simply because of the color of their skin.
TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago
Great debate Kalik vs. Publis!!! And yeah i've hear white people saying it's not possible for blacks to be racist against whites because whites hold the position of power and only those in positions of power can be racist.... I was like what the FFFFFFFFFFF are you saying?!? Cus even those arguments seem suttellely (wrong spelling i kno) racist to me.
At the end of the day people are people. period point blank. people are people.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
That discussion is admittedly hard for people to appreciate depending on where they are in life, what they know, what they have experienced and what they have come to understand. The point that some make is that while white people have killed, oppressed and hated people of color simply and only because of their color, the hurt and animosity people of color feel is more seen as a reaction to their oppression, not a hatred simply because a person is white. There are no cut and dry, black and whites (point wise) on this because the issue is deeply complex, but that is the gist of the arguments made therein. Now, where I think many of us as white people get upset is in feeling that people of color have no right to react the way they do and any reaction they have - even when the reaction is an expression of self love and self pride, they are accused of being racist. Now, I certainly do not want to be blamed for what my ancestors have done, but I am not blind to the generational effects of a whole grouping of people. We don't tell Holocaust survivors to get over that atrocity, but we tell African slave decedents and decedents of Western Colonialism to get over it (as if the vestiges of those things do not still exist today both systemically and psycho-socially), and if they don't get over it and respond to life the way we think they should, they are now suddenly racist on that basis. The key, as I have stated before, is not about justifying hatred, it is about understanding all the complexities of race and human relations, and not seeking to demand that a grouping of people behave in a way that makes you feel more comfortable, when you ought not seek to force your personal comfort on their very legitimate experience.
Take the discussion here between us. The gentleman (I assume the poster is male, I apologize if not) said that based on experience, he has a certain fear about "getto" black Bahamians. Now, he does not consider that feeling to be racist but calls it "real life". Fine. But if a black person in turn, based on experience, has certain views of certain white people, that black person is automatically a racist. So who decides whose experience is more legitimate than the other? So many facets to the issue of race.
TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago
Yes there is always double standards. Agreed. And i agree also that the Colonial Effect is a big part of our collective broken thinking here in the Bahamas. But the specific Bahamian Reality is that most people in the country are black, most of the politicians and police are black, and most of the judiciary is black. so why are certain people in our society so ready to accuse 'whites' for our problems or of being racist?
In our day and age the colonial masters have been replaced by 'our own kind' and they continue to oppress us. Fact is, White people took us from Africa to be slaves.... but it was our own African people who captured us and sold us into slavery. the Europeans didn't cut cross country capturing us... By the same token, white Europeans didn't only subjugate people of 'colour' but also their one another... hence why so many Europeans LEFT Europe for the "new world'.... to escape oppression.
Which bring me back to - People are People.
I recall the Hotel Manager who was deported because he was rude to Bahamians (aka blacks). This was a point of considerable outrage on behalf of many locals because we're like who is this to treat us badly!!! white oppressors..... yet how much of our own local Bosses of 'colour' treat us like crap and somehow this is just the status quo....
Definitely the racial issue is deep and complex.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I understand your perspective, but to be fair to the discussion on the Grand Bahama matter, that particular hotelier needed to be dealt with regarding his treatment of staff there years ago because the violations and complaints coming from that property are well documented and well known on that island. The government did not touch him before now presumably because it did not want to anger the new investors they were in bed with there at the time. Now, we are in an election year, so the government seems to have chosen to react for the look and the politics of it. The point I am making is, that issue in truth, was not simply about a rude white man who aggravated a few black Bahamians one night at an event.
We do have local Bahamian bosses who are pure trash. But they are Bahamian. This matter is an immigration matter as well as a labour matter. We have labour laws to protect all employees regardless of the employer, but there is also standard of conduct that is supposed to be observed by foreigners who are granted work and residency status in our country. Like everything else in this country ofcourse, few things are fair and balanced when it comes to enforcement or execution, but welcome to The Bahamas, as they say!
Godson 8 years, 9 months ago
Look Publius, What is being iterated here is not a denial of an existential fact of individual persons; what Mr. Symonette is saying is,and, what I wholly agree and support is, as a collective whole... WE THE 'PEOPLE' OF THE BAHAMAS HAVE MOVED ON BEYOND THE SCOURGE OF RACISM. One cannot go back and supplement the thinking of the people from that time in the pass... They were a product of their generation and the experiences of the time. If you wanted to be constructive in this discussion, you should whole-heartedly condemn Mr. Wells in his comments... and rather, question Mr. Minnis as to his acceptance of this aspect of Mr. Wells comments.
Mr. Hubert Minnis now should be made to say whether or not he condones these comments that were made along the racist lines and as also coming from Mr. Wells. I, for one, will be insisting on this!!!!!!
Right thinking citizens of The Bahamas wants to leave a better country for the future of generations to come. UNITY is an essential ingredient for this to happen. We must denounce those who wish to sow discords. Mr. Wells has other problems that seem to be playing out in form of wanting others to become bitter and resentful along with him.
The likes of Mr. Wells is a cause for all of Bahamians to hang their heads down in shame. What wasted years!!! What a wasted life!!! If I didn't strive to improve on my outlook in life... I would probably have been still looking up to this man.
I thank God for His enlightenment, under which, I can see the vile, hateful and dissenting diatribe from the corrupted mind of Mr. Wells.
Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
And I am saying we as a collective have not moved on. Who is your collective? Just your social group? If so, that is not "the collective". What do you define racism as, because that is an essential qualifier of your assertion. Don't let what appears to be social interactions fool you about how people truly feel and think - black or white.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Where did you learn reading comprehension - on the back of a Cracker Jack box? No pun intended whatsoever.
thomas 8 years, 9 months ago
Cheap veiled insults reflect poorly on you.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
They are not veiled at all - they are clear and open. What you feel about my question to the individual is of no consequence. Its funny how you have read this person insulting persons here over and over unprovoked and it does not bother you, but when the person he or she insults retorts, suddenly it is a poor reflection. Jokes - on you. This person is hurling "racist" again and again not knowing a single person he or she is calling that name - but that is fine I presume. Not surprising.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
You have called at least two persons here, including myself, racist and/or accused them of such. The fact that you are now pretending not to have done so is again, typical. I've never been PLP in my life and don't plan to be, but that did not prevent you from making the laughable yet typical accusation. Am I still racist against white people if I too, am white?!
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Sir or ma'am, my concern is not about the PLP. I don't care about them or what people think about them. I clearly spoke about your comments directed at persons here, not your comments directed at a political party.
Godson 8 years, 9 months ago
What you mean you do not care about them?!... they are governing the social affairs of your life!!! You have no choice!!! but to care... in this context, it's the PLP that has the care for you. Hope you, for one, are enjoying it?
Godson 8 years, 9 months ago
Publius, collective refers, proportionately, to the high upper number of persons recognized as Bahamians. My 'collective' does not refer to my social lopes. It encompasses every single citizen of The Bahamas, irrespective of color, ethnicity, social standing, religion and gender.
There is enough natural resources, and, intellectual know-hows to create a political and social construct for every citizen of The Bahamas to live out their lives with dignity.
I traveled around the world and have seen this exemplified. The people of the land, are first and foremost, the most important resource; it is not necessary to oppress them because of politics, social status or color etc.
Everyone, irrespective, can be included in the Social Order. What is hindering this is, not skin color but the lack of 'political will' and the 'moral fortitude' to do what is right.
Racist/racism discriminates against a person base solely on their color. That is wrong to deny anyone opportunities and a chance for a reasonable standard of living based upon the color of their skin, or, for the fact of their politics.
In the same token, if one is white and makes a general policy input, and by chance, it turns out to be onerous and weightier on the shoulders of the those in the lower echelons, sensible people should not say that the policy maker is racist. The appropriate thing to do is to come up with some contingency to ease this disproportion of pain. We ought not be so quick to call each other racist because there is the reverse of 'a raisin in the sun'.
Mr. Lightbourn might have seen the frivolity in throwing out good sounding political promises to the hurting and oppressed as an election gimmick - which, in and off itself, creates an even heavier burden; and by extension, creates a greater social dilemma.
People may think as they wish, however, the world is founded on universal laws and principles. The ramifications, as a result of actions contrary to these laws, are inescapable. It matters not whether you skin is colored or white.
As to being aware of my social interactions... let me say: 'no one has an exclusive rights to knowledge, understanding and wisdom'. Moses learnt from Jethro, a Midianite priest. I am minded that there are no charging fees at the door of the public library. Publius, where there's a will, there's a way. I pride and align myself with universal laws, not with skin colors, and I come out alright. "...not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character".
Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
And on your foundational points, you and I do not disagree.
TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago
While i wish Godson's non-racist Bahamas was fa real....... my experience is that racism is very much alive and well in this country. Be it blacks against whites, whites vs blacks, black vs Chinese, and even blacks vs blacks (ei. Bahamians vs Haitians) .
As proof, i point you the the surfeit of comments regarding race whenever it's a news story, vs. 99% of other stories. Bahamar and Racism are among the hottest topics in these comments sections
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
@TruePeople - thank you very much. People think that by acknowledging reality you are condoning all the aspects therein. That is not at all necessarily the case. But what is roundly unhealthy in my opinion, is to deny reality and then try to make people live in submission or direction to one's denial and delusions.
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
....@ Publius - Extremely accurate and unquestionably very well said ....
Honesty is a rare commodity! (especially among the Bahamas group of pirates)
Brent's totally disingenuous statements are typical of an insincere individual grappling at straws for his own selfish benefit.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
ha! is he or she? Do not know his or her identity, hence my query.
thomas 8 years, 9 months ago
This post is time stamped after yours.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Sorry, which post are you referring to?
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
I couldn’t have agreed more with former DPM Brent, if only he had said; that the idea that racial lines “still does not exist” within the country’s political forum is absurd. Saying it isn’t there, is not to bring it out in the open.
Brent it is nonsense to pretend that racial lines aren’t still being drawn within the country’s two main political parties.
Sadly, she is well and alive in the many Tribune blog posts by red shirts quick to post, how Brent is too white to be elected as their red party’s leader.
Comrade Brent, I think you can see why some may have been left all confused over a leaked Wikileaks cable, which revealed that on April 8, 2003, when Papa Hubert Ingraham met with a U.S. Embassy official at his law office, how Papa Hubert dismissed Brent's chance at a successful red party's leadership bid.
According to the WikiLeaks cable, Papa Hubert told the US Embassy official, that Brent due to his “personality and lack of appeal” outside the bounds of his "wealthy" constituency had no chance of becoming the red shirt's party's leader.
In all fairness to Papa Hubert, he might have had a totally different interruption than some other people does about Brent’s lack of appeal outside the bounds of his "wealthy” constituency?
Comrades 40-plus years we as a people have come together to have met many challenges, yet we as a people, still are not united in the celebrations of Bahamaland’s Independence.
To ask red shirts to turn out to celebrate Bahamaland’s Majority Rule Day is to acts like you spats they faces.
Comrades I would aggressively lead the charge in opposition against any and all who would be willing to deny any Bahamalander based on the colour they skin or religion, from seeking the leadership their chosen political party. But that is not say that the"black & white elephant" is not being discussed in homes across Bahamaland.
http://tribune242.com/users/photos/2016…
birdiestrachan 8 years, 9 months ago
Race matters it is to bad that it does. and Mr: Brent Symonette of all people knows this. when he was asked about taking part in Bahamian cultural events. He said he did not come that way. he is only giving lip service. his actions speak louder than his voice. now he can feel free to sell his words to all the "Uncle Toms" of the world. HE may have persons of a different hue in his family tree, and he runs from them as fast as he can.
YesiJed 8 years, 9 months ago
so now anyone that doesn't bow down to PGC and the PLP are Uncle Toms ??? How ridiculous.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Uncle Toms?
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
"your" cultural events? Do events like Junkanoo, etc belong only to a certain grouping of Bahamians?
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Majority Rule Day is not a cultural event, but let's deal with the larger issue you raised. Is it less safe for white people in Nassau than black people?
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I don't think I feel any more unsafe in Nassau than anyone else of any color as far as I know. Is there evidence that criminals are targeting whites over blacks? Is there evidence that if a white person is a victim of a crime, a black alleged assailant will not be arrested, charged and convicted if guilty? If not, then what would be the reason for feeling unsafe based on race? What are you basing your assumption on regarding white people being targeted more for violent crime than black people in Nassau?
Also regarding birdie, unless he edited his post, Majority Rule is not mentioned therein.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
In response to your post on birdie, I'm not certain of why you are getting so apparently worked up. These comment threads are about today's article, correct? We are not commenting on past articles. You said that birdie, in his original post that we are replying to today, referred to Majority Rule Day. Look at the post - where do you see Majority Rule Day mentioned? It is not there - that is what we are discussing. Yet you have engaged in a rant on something he may have said at some time in the past, and what you seem to think I should have seen or acknowledged at some point in the past unknown to me. It is regrettable that you are getting so seemingly irate here, or perhaps you just express yourself passionately. Either way, no one is here to attack you, so put the sword and shield away.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Who's has the racist thinking now my friend? I'm not calling you a racist - just pointing out an irony of sorts. I was accused of it by you just because I stated precisely what is going on in this big REAL world of ours regarding race on all sides. Now you are saying black people look at you strangely - and presumably - with malicious intent, and you don't buy high end cars for this same reason. Well, here is a real world statistic for you in Nassau - your high end car is less likely to be stolen than the cars that car thieves can more easily strip down and sell parts for or use in the commission of an offense. After all, it is harder for a Jaguar or Mas to blend in to the crowd of cars on our streets than a Honda. I note that you have since added more to your comment than when I first replied, which I didn't get to respond to. I am curious. What looks do you get that make you feel uncomfortable and fearful of being a victim of a crime? I ask because perhaps I should look out for these same types of looks.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
You inserted "ghetto...etc " after I replied - that was not what you originally posted Sir. And I did not say "all" in any event, I referred to the racial group you were obviously speaking of, and subsets within that group that you added in later on upon editing your comment.
Moving away from assumptions, black Bahamians are overwhelmingly the victims of crime in Nassau compared to any other group, so while we all fear whatever we fear, perhaps the fear should, based on the facts, be based on the fact that crime is out of control in the nation's capitol.
Incidentally, what is a ghetto black person? Is it where they live, or how they are dressed, etc?
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
And you regrettably keep standing on the defensive or reading into what I am saying when there is no need. I cannot make you anything you are not, hence there would be no need on my part to even attempt it - and I am not attempting it. If I wanted to call you something, I would. We are simply having a discussion as far as I am concerned. This isn't a battle.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I have had a gun pointed at me actually. But that does not make any point being made here more or less cogent in my opinion.
As for a ghetto person or a thug, unless you are a violent criminal or you are acting in a lawless fashion, I don't have a reason to label you as either of the two. But that ofcourse is subjective, which is why I asked your perspective on it.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I am not suggesting that you are being misleading. Again you keep seeing ghosts that are not there relative to what we are discussing. I'm simply pointing out that some of what you said would not be taken into account in my reply, because it was added in or amended after I replied - that's all.
TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago
I ein afraid to go out, Teef dem is brazen enough to teef ya car out ya front yard, why i guh go hide in my house? But i can say white people are easier to identify in large groups of people, simply because they are different from the majority. Same like the Chinese here, but no one even talkin about Chinese, is all black and white........ that's the thinking..... black and white.
What disturbs me (and ya'll critizie as much as yall want cus i know most won't like this) but when i read the tribune, it's alot of white people doing positive things in the fluff articles (fund raising, reaching the north pole, rescuing animals etc.) and alot of black people in the crime articles (rapes teefin murdering).
Honestly we're the biggest enemy to ourselves. The "race card" is just a way to keep us ignorant to that fact so we can be easily brainwashed and used but the real oppressors (those in gov't)..... just sayin......
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Interesting perspective. And then the Tribune has its own life story about race as well, but I imagine my commentary on that might get blocked by the admins, so I shall leave it there. Suffice to say, race for many of us, is more than skin deep.
birdiestrachan 8 years, 9 months ago
Race is not only a Bahamian issue. It is a world wide issue.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I doubt birdie even knows what an Uncle Tom is and where the term came from. If he does, it would interesting to see how he translates that into Bahamian social norms and dynamics.
thomas 8 years, 9 months ago
The black man is raping us and pointing a finger at the white man.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Wells is an old crook who is clearly working for the PLP. The fact that Minnis is co-signing his work meantime, speaks volumes.
John 8 years, 9 months ago
When the Rubis oil spill poisoned and contaminated the well water of hundreds of Bahamians, it was a black Bahamian government accused of covering up to the detriment of hundreds of other black Bahamians. When a handful of white government decided to distribute lead contaminated water to over 100,000 black Americans children, that was a conscious decision. When the US decides to put out alerts and prevent its citizens from traveling to Bahhamas, every single Bahamian is affected. When Bah Mar went bankrupt and failed to open most of the Bahamians who lost their jobs and were sent home were black but the contractors who were not paid were black and white. Those who had invested in Bah Mar's stores and restaurants were multi hued. When Donald Trump lashes out against certain races and ethnicities and threatens a policy of exclusion, should he become president of the US, these policies will affect the entire Bahamas, not just backs or not just white. When the foreign poachers come in and steal the lobst and fish, it does not only affect the fishermen in Spanish Wells but also in Androstenedione and in Exuma. The point is The Bahamas is too small and has become to socially and economically entwined to promote racism or separatism. It is even difficult to divide the country purely along political lines, because at the end of the day you will find some FNM in bed with a PLP and some PLP sleeping with the DNA
TruePeople 8 years, 9 months ago
real talk
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 9 months ago
Brent Symonette is wrong face to talk about race card in politics....especially on front page of the Tribune. Clearly the Tribune is only interested in selling newspapers and hits to this website when it does things like this.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I honestly believe that he is not comfortable with the subject of race. Indeed, it can be a very uncomfortable discussion depending on how it goes, but I think he would rather it never be brought up at all because it is not something he wants to face in whatever political aspirations he has. But that is simply not realistic thinking on his part.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
For those of us who love to feast on what we are told about US elections so much that we confuse ourselves into thinking we are like them, remember then-Senator Obama's first presidential campaign? He didnt present himself as a black candidate, but he of course was. And when the time came, he didn't run away from race issues pretending they do not exist. He addressed them head on when he and his campaign deemed it appropriate to do so. Now, US elections are not as simple as the vote of the people, but that being said, the candidate at the time did not get up and declare that race issues no longer exist and that most Americans did not see color, because he knew that was not true, regardless of what color category one fell into. Understanding race issues is not condoning racism, it is understanding the different mindsets and dynamics at play, because the only way to effectively begin to address a problem is by UNDERSTANDING it.
Godson 8 years, 9 months ago
Well said Publius... but have you ever considered the distinction between what it means to be 'racist' as apart from 'racial'. Clearly, we know the concept behind the first term; whereas, the second (racial) points to an appreciation and respect for those tendency that may be attributed to one or the other ethnic grouping or race.
A 'racial' outlook realistically faces and accept what is (though debatable) statistically evident of a grouping. It does not invite vile hatred for the grouping as a result, or to take 'pot shots' because you can. It invites a deeper understanding as you seem to be saying here, hence, I comment you in this regard.
Color does mean something - but not to hate. It invites us to discover the unique difference of each other, and civilly, it is for us to collectively devise a social accord for all of it to work harmoniously together for the common good.
Note, it is erroneous for me to expect a woman to see and respond to things the way I would; I, however, ought to view this difference of the opposite sex as capable of complimenting my life and promoting the procreation of my genes.
It is incumbent upon us to discover the beauty that lies behind the ethnic difference of our race, be it pure, mix or otherwise, and to see how it all can come together to compliment the greater good of the community.
Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Perhaps what Godson means by "pure" is not in a purist sense, but in the sense as we tend to define it. For instance, if your mother and father are white, you would likely identify and be identified as white. If one parent is black and the other white, the identification may be "mixed". He can ofcourse speak for himself on what he meant, but this is what I personally got from his reply to me.
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
...... Finding an honest politician is like finding a dog which speaks fluent Norwegian! ......
FORMER Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette's issue of running for FNM leader and P.M. has NOTHING TO DO WITH HIS SKIN COLOR and everything to do with his PERFORMANCE as deputy prime minister!
After 43 years of PLP and FNM pirates suppressing our people and driving the country into the hugh seemingly bottomless ditch we find ourselves, NOBODY CARES about a politicians skin color, and are much more concerned about how to stop these pirates from turning our country into another Haiti.
Brent Symonette's record of keeping Haitian immigration files secret in the trunk of his car five years as minister of immigration, to this date absolute refusal to divulge his clandestine shenanigans of willy nilly granting Haitians citizenship in exchange for votes, coupled with his idiotic, asinine belief and policy that destabilizing low income Bahamians by selling $20M in work permits to foreign blue collar workers as a method of raising government revenue was a good idea, AND Brent's repeated penchant for directing $millions in public works to his family business's cloaked as "blind trust" are among the main reasons Bahamians will never trust Brent Symonette as P.M.
That being said...Racism is as alive in the Bahamas as it is in U.S.A. and well proven by many previous post's above today from white racist Bahamians callously denigrating black governance, simultaneously turning a blind eye that FNM governance were a behind the scenes white elite controlled government.
Yes, unfortunately factions of racism exist, and will always exist to some extent for whatever reasons in a small fragment of our society.
Final analyses is, both PLP and FNM oligarchy equally share friends, family and lovers corruption which continue to destroy our country and people, and ALL OF US WHITE, BLACK AND WHATEVER ELSE better pull together now as BAHAMIANS to rid ourselves of these selfish pirates.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Ironically, what Haiti became was due strictly to race! Just a little history tidbit; not intended to argue any point you raised.
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 9 months ago
MINNIS SUCKS!!!!!
proudloudandfnm 8 years, 9 months ago
Anyone have any idea what cabinet position Minnis offered Tennyson???
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
ha! No seat, just more contracts whether over or under the table probably!
TalRussell 8 years, 9 months ago
Comrades It's amazing. some red bloggers calls the PLP's racists against the whites, even though PM Christie gone got's a U.S. citizen by descent through his mother, to renounced his American citizenship back in February 2010. And, then he not only secured a House seat for him up in the people's Honourabe House of Assembly - on becoming PM in 2012, the Elizabeth MP was quickly appointed this qualified man's to his cabinet.
Now, how more white-loving can a PM be than to have lead by example.
Comrades i am not going brungs up how Papa Hubert, before becoming the "Bare Foot" Fisherman from Cooper's Town, did goes about in his failed attempt to anoint his House seat's replacement?
Godson 8 years, 9 months ago
publius, collective refers, proportionately, to the high upper number of persons recognized as Bahamians. My 'collective' does not refer to my social lopes. It encompasses every single citizen of The Bahamas, irrespective of color, ethnicity, social standing, religion and gender.
There is enough natural resources, and, intellectual know-hows to create a political and social construct for every citizen of The Bahamas to live out their lives with dignity. I traveled around the world and have seen this exemplified. The people of the land, are first and foremost, the most important resource; it is not necessary to oppress them because of politics, social status or color etc.
Everyone, irrespective, can be included in the Social Order. What is hindering this is, not skin color but the lack of 'political will' and the 'moral fortitude' to do what is right.
Racist/racism discriminates against a person base solely on their color. That is wrong to deny anyone opportunities and a chance for a reasonable standard of living based upon the color of their skin, or, for the fact of their politics. In the same token, if one is white and makes a general policy input, and by chance, it turns out to be onerous and weightier on the shoulders of the those in the lower echelons, sensible people should not say that the policy maker is racist. The appropriate thing to do is to come up with some contingency to ease this disproportion of pain. We ought not be so quick to call each other racist because there is the reverse of 'a raisin in the sun'.
Mr. Lightbourn might have seen the frivolity in throwing out good sounding political promises to the hurting and oppressed as an election gimmick - which, in and off itself, creates an even heavier burden; and by extension, creates a greater social dilemma.
People may think as they wish, however, the world is founded on universal laws and principles. The ramifications, as a result of actions contrary to these laws, are inescapable. It matters not whether you skin is colored or white.
As to being aware of my social interactions... let me say: 'no one has an exclusive rights to knowledge, understanding and wisdom'. Moses learnt from Jethro, a Midianite priest. I am minded that there are no charging fees at the door of the public library. Publius, where there's a will, there's a way. I pride and align myself with universal laws, not with skin colors, and I come out alright. "...not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character".
Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
Thanks, you made this identical post earlier up to me, which I responded to.
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
BLT as minister of social services constantly impressed upon us weekly, daily, hourly and between snacks how her good parents made sure she and SHE ALONE had exclusive rights to the best education in the Bahamas.....And NOW your telling us this?
“Et tu, Brute?.......Lol
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
This is BS. Wells is mouthing Minnis' personal feelings on this subject in addition to whatever twisted political tactics he knows will work toward his goal, which is the goal of the people he is really working for in all this - the PLP. Since 2012, Minnis' actions have worked more toward the pleasure and objectives of Christie and the PLP than anyone else. Don't take my word for it - simply look objectively and intelligently at the facts.
John 8 years, 9 months ago
They called Brent Symonnette's daddy Pop. They called Hubert Ingraham (and some still calls him) Papa. Then there was Papa Doc in Haiti. Pindling was called the father of the nation and Papa John's pizza went out of business...
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
Aaahhh..haaa..Michael Scott did not get to the bottom of the barrel! Lol
John 8 years, 9 months ago
Speaking about discrimination, wasn't it Hon. A.D. Hanna who once accused the police of discriminating against him? When police were summoned to remove him and Sir Milo Butler from the House Of Assemble after a rowdy session six police came for Sir Milo, but only two came for A.D. Hanna. So Mr. Hanna protested because he felt he was being discriminated against.
butlers 8 years, 9 months ago
Many intelligent responses to the statement made by past DPM Brent Symonette and a few simply stupid remarks. I am 63 years old and I don't even remember the UPB, however in all these years I have never heard one person in this country, black or white, say anything bad about Roland Symonette. Remember when Pindling made ZNS play the movie Roots on election night, twice. The PLP have always been raciest when it was convenient or to get votes from the less fortunate in education. For three generations we watch the sensationalisms on American TV with much violence and racism, What do you expect of young minds on the border of poverty. Many of the writers here are correct, their is no place for this BS here in the Bahamas. I and many citizens of this country agree that Brent would make a great PM. The FNM salt and pepper leadership worked perfectly and the world looked upon us as a country united. How do you think the world sees us now ????
Well_mudda_take_sic 8 years, 9 months ago
Like Wells and Smith (the BMW lover), Symonette is a dinosaur from another era of politics in our country that is best left in the past and never allowed to return to front line politics. They had their chance and are largely responsible for many of the problems that plague our country today. These guys remain much too enamored by the power and influence they could gain for themselves by holding political office, as opposed to what they could do to uplift the quality of life for all Bahamians. The three named here would bring back to politics the blood sucking fleas of yesterday.....and that we certainly don't need!
Godson 8 years, 9 months ago
Well said Butler... as to Sir Roland Symonette... I did hear something about Sir Roland that might cause some to be uncomfortable - depending on their outlook.
I was told that Sir Roland was very generous to the residents of Englerston. He help so many people to get their first home, and I add, with dignity. So many people ended up owning property for the first time in their lives due to his generosity.
Sir Roland I am told was instrumental in the development of Englerston. In some cases where he assisted people, I heard that he often forgot what was owed him and in response, he would simply write off the debt.
Again, I never met the man but everyone who spoke of him said that he was very generous and helpful to the working class Bahamians.
Godson 'Nicodemus' Johnson
mangogirl01 8 years, 9 months ago
My grandfather from Cat Island told us the same story you mentioned and other about Sir Roland's generousity to him and many others. Too, many people do not know (or refuse to believe) that it was actually Sir Roland who invented the Urban Renewal concept and years later Sir A.D. Hanna mentioned the idea to PM Christie who in his first term as prime minister bought it up again and took credit for it since. We really need to do better with our Bahamian History in this country!
sheeprunner12 8 years, 9 months ago
Who do "white Bahamians" support generally?????????? .......... The FNM ............ You can count out the number that support the PLP (at least in public) .......... just look at a FNM vs a PLP rally ............. now we need to ask who do the other ethnic minorities support and why
sheeprunner12 8 years, 9 months ago
Tenny is still mad with Long Islanders for choosing Jimmy Knowles over him way back in the day ....... go figger how he feels about Hubert Ingraham and the other black FNMs
banker 8 years, 9 months ago
There will always be racial issues, because we Black people keep it that way. We have horrible self esteem. Why do my great aunts always comment on how light the skin is of any babies born into the family? And what is this shiite with weaves and wigs and hair straighteners and skin bleach crap? It is hilarious to see bank clerks pushing pen under the weave to scratch the itches. Why can't we be proud of who we are, and what we look like? I really like a black woman who has naturally hair, no long acrylic nails with bling pasted onto them or painted garish colours, or men without aboriginal marks and lightening zags chopped into the hairline. One of my colleagues wears neat, thin dreads with a suit and nobody cares.
The problem is twofold -- one of perception and one of reality. We have been brainwashed by mass media and culture to believe that our physical appearance is not desirable. The second reality is equality, including economic equality with whiter and yellower shades of skin pigmentation. The way that our government and society operates, is that Bahamians go to the back of the line when it comes to business, availability of capital, ownership of natural resources, and the ability to choose our own economic, financial and social destiny.
Ironically, Bahamians can achieve that elsewhere, and that is why we have a brain drain, and that is why racism is endemic.
Stapedius 8 years, 9 months ago
Wow what an overwhelming response to this article. I agree Banker that we have some deep seeded hate for our skin. These are psychological seeds planted long ago that we have not uprooted in our minds. The African diaspora is challenged not because of the slavery in itself but it is the lasting psychological stench which has and continues to poison our view of self. In our country today I cannot make the argument that it is the 'white man' keeping us down. Plain and simple it is corruption and laziness. Yes, we have some race issues and for those who have a problem with people because of their skin colour that's their problem. The world in progressing and we should not be held hostage to our past. Out country right now is for the elite whether they be black or white. This is an economic struggle more than anything right now. I really don't subscribe to this idea of African- American or African Bahamian etc. Its all nonsense. I am a Bahamian and if my neighbor happens to be white or Asian or whatever he is still a Bahamian. That's all I care about. Country first!
John 8 years, 9 months ago
Obviously you are not Bahamian and you are definitely not Black. When and where have you ever heard a Bahamian crying that "the white man is keeping him down?' Black Bahamians are some of the proudest Black people in the world so where did you even dream that Black Bahamians have an issue with skin color? You want to use this post to vent your opinion about Bahamians being corrupt and lazy but obviously you are confused. Maybe you think (black) Bahamians are lazy because you still want them to work for free. #slavery. "Who in this country calls themselves an "African-Bahamian?" The average Bahamian has not even heard the term "African-American!" If you want to discredit a people and attack them get your facts straight first..o you lousy imposter!
thomas 8 years, 9 months ago
I am a black Bahamian and much to my disappointment I still hear black Bahamians blame the "white man" for keeping them down.
Stapedius 8 years, 9 months ago
Whats all the anger for John? I am black and I am Bahamian and many people still run on with nonsense about being kept down. And yes we do have too much laziness and corruption in this country. The more we close our eyes to it and pretend that we don't have issues the quicker our decline in standards. Get as riled up as you wish. I''m only stating that our struggle in this country has more to do with corruption, laziness and dishonesty than it has o do with race. So buzz off.
John 8 years, 9 months ago
@ Banker: Less than 10 years ago a young man wearing dreadlocks could not get a job anywhere in the Bahamas, not even in the gas station. So the Rastas started their own enterprises selling peanuts and fruits and newspapers. A black woman did not stand a chance landing an office job if she was dark and her hair was nappy and hence the hair relaxers and bleaching cremes and acrylic nails. Some have paid dearly for their choices as fibroids have now been linked to relaxers and hair dyes and skin cancer to bleaching. Whilst most White folk living in the Bahamas are the descendants of slave owners and all Black Bahamians have a slave history there have been many years of peaceful discourse in this country. Yes there maye be discrimination but it is is always subtle. In fact Black Bahamians are more mistreated by foreigners than they are by White Bahamians. And yes there is a form of self exclusion and separatism: White Bahamians are active in politics and business but you will seldom see them taking on roles as policemen, customs officers, immigration officers or very few public service jobs for that matter, but that has come to be accepted. Like White Bahamians, many Black Bahamians have left the Bahamas and have excelled elsewhere. In government, in religion, in medicine and in practically any other career field there is. We, the ones, who are left behind here in the Bahamas, are the ones who suffer when these people leave and do not return. We have a nation to build and when the country keeps losing the crème de la crème, that job becomes more difficult. Some professional Bahamians who have visited the Bahamas say, yes they would love to return. But isn is too difficule to be a professional and live in the Bahamas. We are still struggling to provide basic, essential services. And the political overtones are ringing too strong and too frequently. "you have to be PLP to get this or you have to be FNM to do that." They don't want to expose their children to that lifestyle. Despite the US having their race issues, the opportunities there for a career Black person and the standard of living is more than the Bahamas can offer. We spend too much time and energy tearing ourselves and our country down, allowing others to benefit while we are distracted.
Stapedius 8 years, 9 months ago
John is a bit bipolar.
asiseeit 8 years, 9 months ago
All I will say is T. Wells is a very self serving man, this is being said to help Mr. Wells in some way. I also know of his sketchy term as Minister of Argiculture and his (under his wife's name) very questionable fishing practices as seen by myself in Abaco. Because of this I truly doubt Mr. Wells has the best interest of The Bahamas at heart and have no doubt he has HIS best interests well taken care of.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
I'm frankly exhausted with this foolishness and with the media who gives crooked hacks life over doing the much needed job of real journalism in this country. If these people are honest, they are actually happy for this foolishness by Wells - because they are hoping it will anger white Bahamians enough to scare the black Bahamians into demanding that Minnis goes or all hope of money for the election goes. See, this is the kind of reality about race that most people will never be honest enough to be real about.
Minnis as a political figure in my opinion is trash and will cause his party defeat at the polls. Now that I have stated that, I will go further to state that those who want him gone really do not care at all about race relations. They are simply happy to be able to use this foolishness by Wells as another feather in their cap. My point is, on so many levels and on so many sides, what is being said about race is not genuine. When you strip down the platitudes and the rhetoric and the tactics, you are likely to find that none of these people in this back and forth are primarily concerned about nation building. They are concerned about getting their specific agendas met, and if some people in the country also happen to benefit then that's fine but that is not the driving force behind much of what we see taking place.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
And where in what I said refutes or runs counter to what you just said sir? What you just said is what I have already said here on multiple occasions. My commentary is not about whether Minnis should remain on as leader of the FNM. My commentary is about the lack of genuineness about this issue on multiple sides as it pertains strictly to the issue of race.
Not sure where Rolle factors into this. Her inane rant had nothing to do with race, just her spouting off in defence of his indefensible leader's neuroticism about this post he seems to love more than life itself.
There is one point you raised here that I find curious. Why is Wells' attack on Lightborne something that threatens the future of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas? In all that has been going in with this disgraceful FNM infighting and its disgracefully poor performance as opposition in our democracy, how does this accusation by Wells in feigned support of Minnis rise to the level of potentially threatening our entire nation's future? Take another facet of this battle: Loretta-Butler Turner is a female politician, who has been under sustained slanderous attack by the men of her party and the men those men engage to do their dirty work. Why is this not seen as a threat to our nation in terms of gender relations? Simply seeking to understand the rationale here. Are you saying that Wells' comments and Minnis' refusal to condemn them, threaten to make the FNM look racist? Are you saying that you believe this will cause Bahamians to believe the FNM hates white people?
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
And my question to you remains - why is this same concern not being expressed for gender relations? Do you see what Minnis has done to many of the office-holding women of the FNM, one of whom, like Lightbourne, is also an elected Member of Parliament? Many of the men of that party believe she ought not seek to lead simply and only because she is a woman. She is having her character besmirched as well, and many of the attacks are gender-based. The men of the FNM have disrespected an entire island of Bahamians simply because they are represented by this female who her male colleagues hate and are threatened by. Why is an attack on female legislators (House and Senate) not a reason to see this as the beginning of the end for The Bahamas, like you view the Lightbourne situation? And the difference here is, Wells is the one doing the attacking and Minnis is silently giving consent. With the women of the FNM, Minnis is the hatchet man himself.
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
This is true, and indeed sad as you said.
Godson 8 years, 9 months ago
Boi/Gal, you talking for me too...
Publius 8 years, 9 months ago
One thing I noticed though and I'm curious. Why didn't Brent defend Lightbourne's character, affirming that he, to his knowledge, is not a racist? No, he is not Lightborne's spokesperson, but he has chosen to comment on the issue. Just wondered why he did not defend him. He spent most of the quoted interview speaking about himself.
Godson 8 years, 9 months ago
How do you defend something that's a none issue to you??? Wake up man... I am confident that Mr. Symonette don't even see why he would have to defend what is, and has always been to him and others obvious, Mr. Richard Lightbourn is not a racist!!!! Who needs to defend a reality? You just renounce the untruth against it.
jus2cents 8 years, 9 months ago
Almost all humans 'of every hue' are innately racists. (Yes, even the ones who think they are not.) It is not that they are bad people, it's just the way we abnormal creatures have evolved. It takes work to overcome our base instincts, anyone who says otherwise has no understanding of the human brain and evolution. And until people realize their base-instincts are in the way of real 'progress' and work at overcoming these instincts, they will stay in a racist mindset. But who gives a toss if they are a racist, really, so what? (don't be their friend) Can we now move-on?!
That all being said, the main problem here is not race, it is stupidity, plain and simple and Wells is just deflecting from the issues at hand.
For christ sake, we all need to stop getting sidelined with this crap, put our collective eog's away, get over our schoolyard bulls*^$ and move on, work together & Fix the Nation.
SP 8 years, 9 months ago
......... Majority Bahamians are color blind, until someone else shows they are not.........
John is right. Honestly, the only instance's I know of black Bahamians saying they were being kept down were directed at politicians not white people.
Bahamians are savvy enough to understand the only thing "keeping them down" is the PLP and FNM oligarchy of friends, family and lovers that hog-up everything for themselves and what they cannot manage they stop others from getting or hand over to foreigners for a piece of the action under the table.
Fact is Bahamians care deeply about their country, however, knowing there were only two political party's, Bahamians treated them more like Junkanoo groups rejecting one for bad performance only to be stuck with the other which consistently repeated the same injurious policies.
No matter which side won an election pretty much the same grouping of friends, family and lovers shared power, corruption and the Treasury check book.
This is the reason the electorate vote only single terms for PLP to FNM. Flip flopping every election cycle as the people desperately seek relief from oppression "being held down".
No one to my knowledge is ignorant enough to blame the white "boogie" man!
Hopefully newly emerging party's will face reality, be mature and sensible enough to realize an amalgamation forming a coalition going into 2017 election focused on addressing systemic corruption would be greatly & widely accepted across the electorate translating to a landslide victory.
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