EXODUS #EDUCATE #ENLIGHTEN #EMPOWER

Issue #004

2001001

FOREWARNED IS FOREARMED

DID YOU KNOW

(Her)story
In honour of our Mothers
Men chase while women covet and neither
fully understand her worth.

Yet it is her gentle spirit whose significance

is unknown.

She is the Black Woman, the Mother of the

Earth.

Her nurturing and loving nature, sure to

keep your mind blown.

The melanin in her skin, the magnificence

of her eyes. The kink of her hair and the
curve of her behind.

She is the perfect paradox, for her beauty

is in her scars.

A token of effortless majesty, yet so deeply

misunderstood.
She is the greatest mystery on this side of
our (his)story
The strength of a thousand men rests just
beneath her crooked smile.
And the courage of an entire army make
her living worth the while.
The tree of life grows between her thighs,
only those who know will hear her humble
cries.
Stolen and raped, yet still she built this
world lying on her back.
Neglected and abandoned, she continues
to pick up the slack.

The essence of life is what she is - both the

creator and sustainer intertwined.
She is the personification of a thousand
generations.
A precious jewel, with all her multifaceted
fascinations
A diamond in the rough, her value could
never be denied.
For this world without her would surely
meet its demise.
She is life.
She is love.
She is everything.
This is (her)story.

The Mitochondrial Eve

In 1987, a world wide survey of human
mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) was published in
Nature magazine. Its main point was that "all
mitochondrial DNAs stem from one woman"
and that she probably lived around 200,000
years ago in Africa.
There is DNA located in the cytoplasm,
organelles called mitochondria. This DNA,
however, does not seem to come from both
parents. Instead, it comes only from the
Mother and not from the Father.
So, our mitochondrial DNA is essentially
identical to that of our mother. Mitochondrial
DNA is transferred from mother to daughter,
generation after generation.
Dont believe usgoogle it!

EXODUS #EDUCATE #ENLIGHTEN #EMPOWER | Issue #004

#FlashbackFriday
Paying homage to The Workers Voice *

Its no secret that the black community has been plagued by social and economic
inequality. But at some point we must take responsibility for the way we function as
a community. A lack of a black identity has had far reaching negative implications.
These sentiments are discussed in the following excerpt taken from an
article entitled The Other Alternative by Alvin Williams published in
The Workers Voice on Friday July 25th, 1980.

What are the basic ingredients that go into the creation of wealth for a
people or a nation? This is a critical question, not only for black people
living in Bermuda, but for black people living in the United States, the
Caribbean islands and in Africa. I say this, because all these communities
and nations have one thing in common. They are all suffering from some
form of economic underdevelopment, or they do not control the economies in their communities or nations.
Now, right away, Bermudians are going to say, "What's he talking about? I have a car and a colour TV, and I take a trip every year. Not only that, I am
eating unfrozen steaks whenever I want to. I'm doing alright!" And that may be true. YOU, as an
individual, might be doing alright. But WE, as a people are way behind.
To date, we, as a people, control no banking institutions. We depend totally on others for our food,
clothes, etc., etc. In order to put our respective economic problems into perspective, I'm going to
put the Caribbean and Africa into one category; because, in the main, the black people in those
countries control the political power. Whereas, in America and in Bermuda we do not. []
BLACKS' LACK OF IDENTITY
Let's deal with the black man in America, for a moment. In the United States, the standard of living
is the highest in the world, with an income per capita of $5,554 per annum (and those are the 1973
figures). Now, if the standard of living is so high, why does the black man, who is a part of the
largest minority group in America, find himself at the bottom of the economic heap? The
explanation is simple. For 400 years, the black American did not enjoy the fruits of his labour. This
is the main cause.
But I am not going to talk about slavery. I am going to talk about what happened after slavery,
when the black man had a small input into his economic development. After the abolition of slavery, the black man was at a great advantage. Not only
was the white society out to keep him in his place, but something much worse had happened. He did not know WHO he was. Slavery had blanked out
his mind. Other people did his thinking for him. He had lost his world identity, and he put the blame on his black skin. Not all blacks thought that way,
but enough of them did to prevent the formation of a black consciousness; a black world identity; a black identification of our mutual interests. []

What is true for the black man in America is true for the black man in Bermuda. We too
must control the economies of our community. We are the only ones that don't control our
own economies. The Portuguese control theirs, the white Bermudian controls his. But we
are running around in our cars, bought from somebody else, and we think everything is
cool! However, some of us are waking up. Those of us who belong to the BIU Credit Union
and shop at the Bermuda Workers' Cooperative are learning how to work together for our
own collective benefit and profit. Once we gain economic independence, no one will say,
"Look at all that money they have." We control where the money goes, and we make sure
it goes into our own pockets! Those who control the economy now still have to depend on
us for everything they need.
As a people, we tend to dismiss our power, both socially and economically. It has been
going on for decades. When will we wake up and claim it?

*The Workers Voice was started in 1971 by the Bermuda Industrial Union as a bi-monthly newsletter. This publication continues
today, and modern issues can be found via the BIU website at www.biu.bm.

EXODUS #EDUCATE #ENLIGHTEN #EMPOWER

Issue #004

2001001

You will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Exodus 19:6

Born amidst social and racial tension, The EXODUS Movement seeks to be a part of the solution in a community plagued by difficulties. Seeking to
better understand our social situation, EXODUS is committed to developing our community both intellectually and spiritually.
Knowledge of self is the only way to truly embody our purpose. Without it, we are lost. The EXODUS Movement was born out of the desire to know
oneself, to know where we came from, what our history is and how that shapes who we are today.
Our mission is to educate, enlighten and empower the Black Bermudian community, in an effort to discover and embrace our history, our identity and
our role in our society. Our purpose is to journey with our people along the path to self-discovery and awareness. Just as the Israelites left Egypt, the
land of physical captivity, its time for us to leave our state of mental slavery. Tis sweet to be free
We aim to achieve this mental freedom through a series of community initiatives such as:

The EXODUS Newsletter a bi-weekly publication dedicated to discussing the issues that matter to our community. Helping one another to
understand how we fit into the bigger picture of society and what we can do to ensure that our home, our families and our culture is protected
and preserved.

EXODUS Talks a monthly public meeting to learn more about our collective identity as people of African descent. During these sessions we
will learn together and discuss the life changing implications of what we learn.

Become a Contributor
The EXODUS newsletter aims to be the voice of the people its serves. We are currently welcoming submissions for our bi-weekly publication. If you are
a conscious writer, a poet, or just have something you would like to share with our readers, please email us at exodusbermuda@gmail.com to discuss
becoming a contributor.

Become a Sponsor
We are inviting members of the business community to join us as we walk in freedom and empowerment. By joining us on this journey you will be
directly impacting the hearts and minds of your local community. Your contribution will ensure that the EXODUS Newsletter is available at no cost to
the community, in both electronic and paper form as well as ensuring that our public meetings remain free of charge. Currently, we have three
sponsorship options available:
1.

Gold- a monthly commitment of a minimum of $100, which would include a monthly advert and a one-time feature article in the EXODUS
Newsletter.

2.

Silver a monthly commitment of a minimum of $50, which would include your personal or business name and/or logo in the sponsorship
section of the EXODUS Newsletter each month.

3.

Bronze a donation of your choice, without a monthly commitment.

For more information on how to become a sponsor of The EXODUS Movement please email us at exodusbermuda@gmail.com. We would be
delighted to welcome you into our family.

Javon A. Butterfield
EXODUS Founder

Juanae Crockwell
EXODUS Founder

EXODUS #EDUCATE #ENLIGHTEN #EMPOWER | Issue #004

What every Bermudian needs to know about the Airport

Redevelopment project.
There has been a lot of debate
surrounding
the
proposed
redevelopment of the L.F. Wade
International Airport. A poll
commissioned by The Royal
Gazette revealed that 53 percent
of the population was against the
public-private partnership while
only 37 percent where in favor of it, with 10 percent being undecided.
This article, unlike many others, is written from an objective point of
view. It is not meant to sway the opinion of the reader in one way or
another. It is however, asking you to think about this very important
issue. The contract has already been signed, but that doesnt mean that
you cannot be educated on it. Whatever side of the debate you fall, it is
better to have an educated opinion than an ignorant one. Here are
certain facts that every Bermudian needs to know about the airport
redevelopment project:

Funds for a redevelopment of the airport are not available in

our Governments current budget or in the foreseeable future.
Yet still, our airport needs attention. The last major addition
to the airport took place in 1987, almost 30 years ago. With
upgrades taking place in 1995 and 1996.

Identity Crisis
Opinion by Juanae Crockwell

In August 2015 a $250 million dollar, 30 year redevelopment

contract was signed between the Bermuda Government and
the Canadian Crown Corporation (CCC). This contract,
essentially, will result in the privatization of the airport for a 30
year term.
The agreement (basically) outlines that CCC, through a
subcontractor construction firm Aecon, will redevelop the
airport at no initial cost to tax payers. With airport revenue
being redirected to CCC for the duration of the contract term.
The operating company (CCC) will receive tax incentives such
as exemption from work permit fees, employers payroll tax
and customs duties.
CCC will receive a minimum revenue guarantee. If the
collected taxes do not meet that requirement, the
Government will be responsible to make up the difference.
Current employees of the L.F. Wade Airport will be transferred
to Aecon, which will function as a Government quango.
The agreement includes a clause to set up a Bermudian labour
plan, which is designed to ensure that Bermudians are
employed during the physical redevelopment phases.
Attempts to receive disclosure under the Public Access to
Information Act of the full agreement and the legal advice
given to the Government was denied on multiple occasions.

Our children know more about Beyonc and Jay Z than Auset and Ausar. They sit in class and learn more
about the American Revolution than the South African Apartheid. The most famous buildings in history
are the Twin Towers and World Trade Centre and everyone forgets about the ancient pyramids of Nubia
and Egypt. Its no wonder that as a community we find it hard to understand and accept our African
heritage. We simply do not know it.

Weve been victims of institutional amnesia. Having only been taught the things they want us to remember like slavery, colonialism and poverty and allowing the rest of our glorious history to go unnoticed, uncelebrated and unremembered.
But there is a movement taking place in Bermuda and within the African Diaspora that seeks to counter the lack of African identity that has become a
fatal epidemic within the black community. African consciousness is on the rise and it is our responsibility to take hold of it and ensure that future
generations are aware of their true history.
Ill be the first to admit that this will be no easy task. I have had to walk a rather long personal journey to get to a point of open-mindedness to the ideals
of African consciousness. Sadly, there are several mediums that exist with a primary purpose to destabilize the minds of people of African descent. The
education system, mass media and even religion, all play a part in the subdued African identity.
The only way for us to move from this point of mental slavery, is to actively engage in seeking truth. Sadly, the truth about who we are as a people will
not be found in a conventional classroom. It will not be shown on the news and no one is preaching about it from the pulpit.
The only way for us to develop a true sense of self is to search within our history. To seek and find stories of African magnificence that reveal the
greatness of who we are. For we are so much more than the descendants of slaves. In fact, we are the descendants of kings and queens, of inventors, of
philosophers. We are the descendants of God.
I know that these ascertains will be hard to digest for many. Especially when you have spent your whole life believing that you are inferior, that you are
bad and that you need a savior. Its a lot to swallow when youve spent thousands of dollars obtaining degrees that teach you about everything except
yourself. Its hard to believe when you have spent countless hours reading Holy Books that are not reflective of your innate spirituality.
But if you ever want to know what greatness lies within you.you are going to have to find the courage to seek it, to accept it and to live it.