BLACK APARTHEID by Artist Manuel Palacio
Is a juxtaposition of the myriad of multi-dimensional social and political issues prevalent in Bermuda today. It is meant to capture and convey, perhaps a quiet yet pervasive sentiment of discontent, disillusionment and distaste for Bermuda’s current state of affairs. Through satire, the show highlights the irony of two seemingly polar racial perspectives, which actually arrive at the same saddened conclusion.
Tough economic times aside, it can be said that black Bermudians have never collectively shared a sense of economic empowerment. Generally speaking, this sense of black economic empowerment continues to elude black Bermudians under a Government supposedly rooted in the ethos of equity, parity and black economic empowerment. Instead the age-old practice of empowering from the top down has continued, resulting in an inability and an unwillingness to empower holistically.
Interestingly, at the other end of the spectrum, white Bermudians also express feelings of disempowerment and often feel vilified, hated and marginalize. This ironic state of affairs understandably gathers little sympathy from blacks, who historically and currently, locally and globally, directly and ancestrally have suffered and still suffer collectively, from numerous inequalities and inequities imposed because of their race.
The result is a socio-political atmosphere that is neither subtle nor imagined, where the dispute has at times been derogatory, angry and contemptuous, and the remarks have range from irresponsible to disreputable. This has resulted in a significant level of damage, distrust and disenchantment in Bermuda that was promised to all.
“A UBP vote is a vote back to the plantation. It is a vote that will return the shackles to our feet.”
“ Mr. Speaker, I will never call that member a racist dog…”
“ You never thought you would have to come to the slaves’ children for answer or decision…better get used to it.”
“You are doing your master’s bidding you should be ashamed of yourself.”
The people of Bermuda have witnessed millions of dollars spent on celebrations and music festivals, golf course upgrade, capital project overruns and travel, shrouded in a lack of accountability: whilst the issues closest to people’s heart – education, violent crime, unemployment and the ability to take care of one’s family, have been rendered bankrupt of funding and priority.
BLACK APARTHEID highlights these issues and the irony that such distrust and disenchantment is experience by both black and whites, albeit for very different reasons. However, there is also a common reason – the community, as a whole, cannot thrive in the absence of peace, harmony and equality.
BLACK APARTHEID is an expression of internal frustration at consequences being suffered, rather than problems being solved. However, it also represents audacious hope. Hope that, whether liked or not, the show will give impetus to much needed, honest and constructive dialogue. A dialogue that BRIDGE the disharmony in Bermuda, Heal the disconnect between the needs and concerns of all Bermuda’s people, and CHALLENGE the priorities, actions and responses of our leaders.
