Please have a look at Jonathan Starling's blog ...

http://jonnystar.wordpress.com/2008/08/19/race-yes-again/#comments

... it would appear we are all taking part in institutional racism on this blog if his view is correct.

From Starling's editorial:

"The site Bermuda Sucks is rather a free for all of discourse. But there are a few issues that need to be put on the table with that site. [name removed], who posts on this site from time to time, and posts on that site as “Tigga” (I post as “Crimson Dynamo”) has made an interesting social experiment with that site.

What I udnerstand he does there, for which he is attacked, is largely a holding up a mirror to some of it. I have disagreed with his tactics, essentially saying that two wrongs don’t make a right and that he only provides ammunition for the anti-PLP posters.

But what he does is he essentially holds a mirror up to that site, as far as I can tell inr esponse to two posters there. One of them is the character ‘Rummy’ who in his stye of writing Tigga apes. Rummy comes across as a general troll, often with nonsensical comments (I’m sur ehe’ll respond here eventually). But his bad use of dialect, well, I consider it essentially racist. the other character is Sal, who has his own blog which you will find on my blogroll as “Sal’s Blog.” Sal also posts here, and I’m sure he’ll respond as well. Sal hasn’t posted on that site for some time, but does post now on its spin-off, BIAW. Sal is about the closest thing I have come across in Bermuda as an out and out bigot.

The fact that both Sal and Rummy are barely attacked to the same degree that Tigga is speaks volumes of the psyche of many. Whiel Sal no longer seems to post there, past failure to respond to him in anywhere near the manner that Tigga has had to deal with, is intepreted along the lines of institutional racism. The same goes for Rummy. Until this situation is addressed that, and similar blogs, will be regarded as racist, even if the overwhelming number of posters there are not overtly so themselves. Its institutional racism, and Tigga’s actions have illustrated that point splendidly over there, as much as I have issue with his actions there myself."


First, why is it important to Mr. Starling to ensure everyone knows who tigga is?  Does he not get the parallel to the problem he identifies here?  Why identify a member who has chosen to post anonymously (something I strongly object to), then not identify the others he mentions as being treated differently?

Second, why focus on Rummy and Sal (Biggie as he is known here)?  Biggie had to go elsewhere because he couldn't find support for his blatantly racist platform here on this forum.  He hasn't posted on this site since April 30, 2008.  The members here have clearly spoken out against his vitriol time and time again: 

http://www.bermudasucks.com/forum/index.php?topic=2966.msg50391#msg50391

http://www.bermudasucks.com/forum/index.php?topic=2930.msg49268#msg49268

http://www.bermudasucks.com/forum/index.php?topic=2692.msg44149#msg44149

Think what you want of Rummy, he has his fans and his detractors.  I'm not about to try to defend Rummy's behavior here, he is responsible for what he writes; as I take responsibility for what I write.  Personally, I think it is a real stretch to suggest that his "bad use of dialect" is "essentially racist".  I know plenty of black, white and other Bermudians who speak that way in real life - which race is he offending?  I've always taken the "Rummyisms" as playful use of a character dialogue.  Everyone is certainly entitled to their own interpretation, however.

Finally, let me use a definition from Wikipedia, "Institutional racism is distinguished from the bigotry or racial bias of individuals by the existence of systematic policies and practices within the institution, that have the effect of disadvantaging certain racial or ethnic groups."

I think Mr. Starling's argument falls flat if one is prepared to acknowledge it is not the "systematic policies and practices within the institution", but the "bigotry or racial bias of individuals" who attack an individual, rather than "disadvantaging certain racial or ethnic groups".

I'm not suggesting racism doesn't exit on this site, but I strongly object to the suggestion it is "institutional".

Detz rite Mikey...Um dee Rummy and hi dunt geeve a shit what yoo hore anyvun alz tinks.

Um hair four dee rum and dee fahun...........

It's only me, a gentle guy that has his way of showing feelings and emotions. It's not to harm nor alarm. It;s the ones that cannot read between lines or do too many that really loose.

Gotta run.........Mikel Gorbachov horn dee lyne.........Yah yah...um cummin.......Georgia? Always got Georgia on my mind and a few other places too.

Rums..............................

Wow.... kind of reminds me of a sign my pops put up by the pool. "I don't swim in your toilet, so please don't pee in my pool."

And coming from the authority on libertarian Marxism..... hmmmm.

Tigga's just putting up a mirror? Well, seeing as he's more than a little two faced about things I guess that works. Yup.... check out his website why not. Nothing weird about that one that might get a few whites wondering where he's coming from.

Johnny is a Scot.... well at least his dad is and emigrated to Bermuda. Maybe he sees people living in foreign lands putting on foreign accents as rather derogatory. The Irish get mimicked in England and you know it's being done in a condescending fashion. But a Bermudian mimicking his own accent? Sorry Comrade Starling but that one's way off. As far as Rummy is concerned he gets beaten up plenty when he steps over the line. But it's for his attempts to get under peoples skin not commenting on the colour of their skin.

BTW - you say you think "Christian’s Politics.bm, and to a lesser extent (in the sense of posting frequency) IMHO.bm provide a rather good example of the more sophisticated approach to the race issue from White Bermuda/UBP." How about telling that to tigga. He keeps coming here claiming Christian is a Nazi.

Also what's up with your own political party's website which you administer? ProgressiveMinds.bm. Slap dab on the front page you still have the following statement: "Forum Why has limey and his brigade infected the plp blogs?" If a white person, or any right thinking other person, goes on your site what do you think they are going to assume? Limey is one of Bermuda's more outspoken individuals who have gone out of their way to improve relations amongst the races by bringing a forum to discuss things together. And you leave that up there for the whole world to see and wonder why whites keep one hand in their pocket?

Not out to knock you Jonathon but you don't post here under Crimson Dynamo. You have in the past but very far and few in between. What we have had is massive amounts of tigga postings. And every time he keeps tossing bombs in just to tick people off. The likes of JNC, Loki have had enough and walked away. Tigga served his purpose I suppose and you seem to be serving yours. Call me an Institutionalized Racist if you will, I have no doubt I have many flaws, but to harp on about a blog/forum being something that certain people have attempted to manipulate into becoming is not just wrong, it's stupid on your part.

The only thing that I wholeheartedly agreed with you in your post on race was "we've still got a long way to go". Oh, and the fact that we cherry-pick MLK. But then again I'd rather people cherry pick than completely ignore.

Have to give you a low grade on that thesis I'm afraid. But I know where you're coming from and that's worth something.

to my mind Rummy's postings are not racist (god why does it always come down to that??), they are merely rants and his bermduianisms, Rummy talking Bermuda talk! (and annoying a lot of people in the process)

The trouble with discussions over in Bermuda are that it always seems ( to my inadequate brain cells) that it is too easy to call racism.  If in doubt, cry out racism.  I do not believe that Rummy is racist - disruptive - Yes! but not racist, just a guy who lets his fingers run away with him across the keyboard.  Yes he's a pain in the arse sometimes, yes he gets carried away and yes he's an annoying bugger sometimes (sorry Rummy for calling you in the third person).  But I fail to see how his comments can be construed as racist.  Personal yes, racist - hmmmmmm.......

Racism is the likes of Biggie who is so obviously Racist that it blows the mind that someone so nasty and small minded still exists - fortunately the likes of Biggie are few and far between but my problem is people who would read between the lines of every sentence, every word that is uttered and accuse you of being racist.  Never in my life have I been so conscious of what comes out of my mouth and have to think each time I open it and utter something.  One of the reasons i have become less likely to write on this blog.  Most things that are written by the most passionate and innocent of bloggers can get blown out of all proportion and used to further the cause of those that are looking to cry racism at every turn.  Tigga can turn a sentence on a sixpence and cry racism and it's demoralizing and I personally feel "whats the point' when discussions about black and white all end up with the same old same old.

Jeez i need a trip off the island...........................

I really need to be packing right now...

Just a quick response to Smoking Gun with your comment about the PM site.

I gave up on that site in the run up to the election after its control was hijacked by elements other than the youth wing.  I refused to give it legitimacy as it was being undermined by these processes.  I attempted briefly after the election to reclaim it, but gave up on that adventure.  Why bother when I have my own blog that I can control anyway?

alsys - when someone turns up the volume what does one expect? Tigga comes on and purposely tries to be antagonistic.... does he try to have a conversation? Biggie makes, should I say made, his stupid postings and many beat him down but that doesn't register? He didn't keep coming back. Do I think tigga is a racist? No I don't. I think he's a stupid asshole who's dumber than dumb because he doesn't give a crap that his antics are actually very damaging to relationships in Bermuda. Much like his Uncle Ewart I have absolutely no respect for him. Biggie/Sal is the same and I couldn't give a toss for him/her either but at least they don't keep showing up here.

But this is exactly what tigga, and his backers, set out to do. He wanted to create an environment where we come across as being bigots, or Institutionally Racist. In an attempt to discredit the website. Have you not noticed something? How quiet it became around here recently? Might I suggest why or will I be further labeled as Institutionalized?

Sure I'm partly to blame. I entertain the twerp. I push buttons as well. Maybe I should just try to be blank-faced and only converse in a manner that is more adept to not breaking any egg-shells. Maybe we all should. But hey that's not me. I'll tell it to you as I see it and I expect you to do the same in return. Eventually we will both learn something. Doesn't mean we'll change overnight but at least we'll grow from it.

Having a little fun whilst trying to hold a genuine and honest conversation is one thing. Unfortunately people like tigga just don't get it. And sometimes neither does a guy like Rummy. For such a super-sensitive guy he can be the most insensitive person I've come across. But when it comes to race he's no tigga nor a Biggie/Sal.

CD - thanks for the response. I'm not surprised about the PM site. But you have to admit that the fact they would continue to leave something so incendiary on the opening page is going to fan some flames. Maybe they should change the site's name to "Catch some flak".