Bermuda: Long Story Short
It appears that Aruba isn’t the only Caribbean island with its share of problems.
The LA Times reports: “Bermuda shorts, a bequest of Britain’s military and still deemed suitable for meeting the queen, are headed the way of the erstwhile British empire, a victim of time and taste.”
Some might argue that classic apparel never goes out of style. Even if it’s pastel.
“Increasingly, the national dress of this British colony is worn only by a diminishing circle of elderly white gentlemen and workers in the hospitality industry, who put them on solely for the paycheck.”
Bermuda’s residents may still drive on the left and play cricket instead of baseball, but a tectonic cultural shift has occurred since the industrial barons of Boston, New York and Baltimore began turning to this temperate island of 65,000 people to escape icy winters and stifling summer heat. Now a haven for U.S. banking and insurance companies seeking tax breaks, its ties to Britain and its traditions have been unraveling under the friction of North American influences, including hip-hop and affirmative action.
Hip-hop and affirmative action. An interesting combination.
John Swan, a former prime minister who led a failed referendum on independence a decade ago, sees Bermuda’s evolution out of colonial trappings as an induction into the global community. He is proud of his country  most natives of Bermuda see themselves as having a distinct national identity despite their colonial status  for achieving levels of prosperity, democracy and racial equality that the world’s most powerful countries can only envy.
“The black community in Bermuda does better than just about any black community in the world,” said Swan, who became the island’s second black prime minister 23 years ago. “The United States couldn’t even imagine a black president. It hasn’t even had a female. All these things we take for granted.”
“Couldn’t even imagine?” Au contraire, Mr. Swan. Two words for you: Condi and Colin.
Perhaps it would be better for Mr. Swan to turn his attention to Africa, advising them on making progress.
February 13th, 2006 at 11:27 am
The author of this article knows nothing about Bermuda. Ninety percent of Bermudain and expatroit men on the island, black and white, doctors, lawyers, bankers and other financial professionals wear Bermuda Shorts to work. It’s just too hot for a suit in August!
In response to the Condi and Colin comment, Bermuda has already had two black female Premiers. The Premier is the highest elected position in the country. Senior government staff members is just not the same thing!