The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I READ with interest an article written in Thursday, February 24, 2011 edition of The Punch in which P. Anthony White referred to Sir Alvin Braynen as a "mulatto" from The Current.

In a subsequent article in The Punch of 30th June, 2011 the said columnist in writing about white businesses that advertised in a black newspaper, again referred to Sir Alvin as a Bahamian of "not-all-white" ethnicity, who also supported the pro-black Herald, then published by Henry Stevenson.

The latest reference to Sir Alvin's race was made by John Marquis in The Big T of Saturday, 31st March, 2012.

Marquis wrote, "Braynen was an 'off-white' son of The Current, Eleuthera who was a UBP parliamentarian ......."

I am flummoxed that persons have this misconception or preconceived idea that Sir Alvin was a "man of colour."

He was not. In fact, he and his Spanish Wells white wife, Horona Giroflee travelled throughout the southern United States in the days of segregation without encountering any problems as a mixed couple.

For historical accuracy and future reference, and as one who has studied Bahamian genealogy, I wish to correct this error, and disabuse the minds of everyone who has any misgivings of Sir Alvin's racial identity.

Alvin Rudolph Braynen was born at Current, Eleuthera on December 6, 1904 to William Rudolph Braynen and Lula Isabella Braynen (nee Griffin).

When this birth was recorded, the Registrar registered Alvin Rudolph Braynen as an "African".

William Rudolph Braynen the father of Alvin Braynen, on discovering this egregious error, swore an Affidavit that his son was of European descent, and therefore his race should be corrected to read "E".

The Registrar General rectified the Birth Register to reflect the truth, and a new birth certificate was issued accordingly on May 30, 1946 with the racial designation shown thereon as "European".

Both of Sir Alvin's parents, according to the official records of the Bahamas, are recorded as being of European descent. First his father, William Rudolph Braynen was born at Bluff, Eleuthera on April 25, 1877 to William Henry Braynen and Maria Eugenia Braynen (nee Elden). The race of this child is recorded as white. William Henry Braynen was a grandson of Loyalist James Braynen.

Secondly, Sir Alvin's mother, Lulu Isabella, was born at Current, Eleuthera on April 25, 1888 to William Griffin and Isabella Griffin (nee Hall). The race of this baby-girl is registered as white.

If a child's parents are both registered as "Europeans" by ancestry, how then can their child be called a "mulatto"?

I knew Sir Alvin well. He was indeed a "white Bahamian" and anything describing him otherwise would be wrong and incorrect.

GEORGE LL HEASTIE

Nassau,

April 4, 2012.