Vexed Bermoothes

Blustery Opinions From Bermuda

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Entries Tagged as 'race'

Judged on Performance

March 25th, 2009 · Comments Off · Accountability, Bermuda Politics

The heat is on President Obama as he tries to balance the financial stimulus with political projects.  Last night he said during a prime-time news conference: QUESTION:  Could I ask you about race? PRESIDENT OBAMA: You may. QUESTION: Yours is a rather historic presidency, and I’m just wondering whether in any of the policy debates [...]

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Are They Tone Deaf?

December 12th, 2008 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics

Tom Vesey argues that “Our leaders must change their tone on race” in the Bermuda Sun: MPs congratulated themselves heartily after their impromptu “race debate” last Friday … While praising themselves for launching a “big conversation” on race among the Bermudian people, they have proven to be almost totally incapable of mature sustained dialogue on [...]

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Tribe

April 8th, 2008 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics

Phil thoughtfully responds to my nudge about the “fat and happy” complacency of Bermuda. Loyalty here is tribal. It’s not about doing what’s right. It’s about supporting your side. In simple terms he’s pointing out the same phenomenon the academics describe in my earlier post on identity politics. Both Bermuda parties, by choice or reaction, [...]

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Group Identity

April 8th, 2008 · Comments Off · Bermuda Politics

Politics links to an academic dissertation on group identity that uses the PLP’s electoral tactics as a case study: A look at a few examples of the rhetoric at the rallies and in the campaign generally makes it clear that voters were being asked to make an affirmation of their [group or racial] identity with [...]

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