Re-Shuffling the Race Cards 3

16th January 2006
The Bahama Journal

Former MP Says Majority Rule Turned Tables On Discrimination

For white Bahamians, Majority Rule meant that many of them faced discrimination under the new black government following the historic 1967 vote, according to Michael Lightbourne, a former member of parliament who was the special guest on Love 97’s “Jones and Company” on Sunday.

"I guess those who were against the UBP (United Bahamian Party) said the UBP did the same thing," said Mr. Lightbourne, who worked for the UBP during its campaign in the 60s. "(White) people were discriminated against when it came to employment opportunities, for instance applications for jobs and this would have cut both ways."

He said when Majority Rule happened, he realized that the UBP would never see the government again unless black leaders came in and took it over. "I think there were a lot of persons who felt, for whatever reason, the UBP – and in many ways it’s because of what the PLP said about it – had a bad connotation. So people who you would want to come and take over just, for whatever reason, felt they didn’t want to join that organization because of the connotation it had."

Mr. Lightbourne said the PLP had the weapon of race at its disposal and used it.

Asked whether the party was still using this weapon, he responded, "They’re still using it, but I’m not sure they’re as successful as they used to be. I’m sure they’re not. A lot of Bahamians want to move on from that."

Mr. Lightbourne said the UBP was not directly responsible for discrimination at hotels and in other pubic areas because it was an era ushered in before its time.

"Certain things happen [that] you can’t change," he said. "It’s something that evolved and [they] found it there and things don’t change too quickly, unfortunately."

Mr. Lightbourne conceded that the discrimination that took place under the UBP "should be regretted by everyone."

"But what would I apologize for? I hope I never hurt anybody’s feelings or did something to make them feel inferior to me," he said.
The show’s host, Wendall Jones, asked Mr. Lightbourne whether he thought former members of the UBP who are still alive are apologetic for the way black Bahamians were discriminated against under their rule.
Mr. Lightbourne said, "I can’t speak for anyone, but myself. I’m sure every one of them is sorry that those things were in place, but by the same token, the PLP, should they apologize for discriminating against persons during their regime who they did not give licenses to? Citizenship [to]?"

Responding to a question, he said it was a mistake on the part of the UBP not to let any black Bahamian into the inner sanctum of the party.
Mr. Lightbourne’s appearance on "Jones and Company" came five days after the 39th anniversary of Majority Rule was observed.
Appearing on another Love 97 talk show on Tuesday, one of the architects of Majority Rule, Sir Arthur Foulkes said the advent of Majority Rule in The Bahamas will most likely not be properly commemorated or recognized as an event of importance and significance to persons of all political persuasions and ethnic groups until an inclusive, non-partisan approach to the historic development is promoted.