Russell Dismont
Encyclopedia
Russell Dismont was from a respected black Bermudian
family of the time. Despite racial discrimination typical of that period, his father Albert Hilgrove Dismont had become a successful business man and was the first black man to own a property and business in the totally white owned city of Hamilton
, Bermuda
's capital. In 1988 his other son Cecil Dismont, OBE, MBE, JP became the first black Mayor of the city. The road 'Dismont Drive' was named in his honour in 2003, in recognition of his service and the family's contribution to Bermuda.
Russell began his education at the Berkeley Preparatory School and the Excelsior Secondary School in his native Bermuda. He developed an early interest in literature, music, and art which he later pursued in America
at the New York School of Art. A keen sportsman, he was a well-known tennis player and cricketer for St Georges Cricket Club (Bermuda), which he helped form. While studying law at the London School of Economics
in England, he played for the University of London
, and once with Sir Garfield Sobers. During this period, he often socialised and talked politics with Earl Cameron
, Sidney Poitier
and Jomo Kenyatta
.
Upon his return to Bermuda he won many local tennis championships. Despite this, due to being 'coloured' he was only permitted to play at the island's tennis clubs twice a year. Ignoring this rule, on one occasion he and African-American tennis legend Althea Gibson
were ordered off the court. They both faked deafness and continued their game. As a consequence, Mr Dismont was later refused access to the premises completely. In the 1950s he, William E. R. Joell and others founded the All Bermuda Tennis Club for all people, irrelevant of their skin colour. To continue the interests of the black tennis players the Somers Isle Lawn Tennis Association was created, of which Mr Dismont was a member.
He began his professional career as an educator and taught at the elementary level at the Central School and later Harrington Sound School. He subsequently became a businessman, and operated a shop located in his father's A.H. Dismont Building.
He was becoming increasingly affected and concerned with the racial inequality on the island and was involved in a number of personal and group protests against the social injustices. In 1963 he was elected as one of the first six Members of Colonial Parliament for the newly created Bermudian
Progressive Labour Party
(PLP). The party was primarily concerned with those issues that affected the ‘coloured’ population and the poor. It called for equitable taxation, the removal of racial discrimination, greater economic parity, the implementation of programmes for healthcare, insurance and pensions. In addition, it called for better housing, improved educational opportunities and electoral reform. During a temporary disenchantment with the Party, he started another – the Bermuda Democratic Party – but later returned and remained a staunch, lifelong supporter of the PLP. On the 9 November 1998 the party achieved its ultimate goal and won its first General Election.
His interest in celebrating and preserving the islands culture led him to acquire the magazine Fame (Bermuda). It catered largely to the black community, who until its publication had been mostly ignored by other local publications. He remained the publisher and editor for many years.
He has two sons from two of his four marriages; Derek Dismont and Saul Dismont. While at university in Florida
, USA, Derek was involved with the Black Panthers. On his mother's side, Saul is the nephew of actor Leigh Lawson
and Twiggy
. He is also cousin to Sir John Mills' grandson Crispian Mills
, the singer of English rock group Kula Shaker
. For a period Saul was lead singer of the band under its previous name, The Kays. He is currently a successful club DJ in England (aka DJ Kemosabe).
Bermudian
Bermudian or Bermudan may refer to:* Something of, or related to Bermuda* A person from Bermuda, or of Bermudian descent. For information about the Bermudian people, see Demographics of Bermuda and Culture of Bermuda. For specific Bermudians, see List of Bermudians.* Bermudian English, the variety...
family of the time. Despite racial discrimination typical of that period, his father Albert Hilgrove Dismont had become a successful business man and was the first black man to own a property and business in the totally white owned city of Hamilton
Hamilton, Bermuda
Hamilton is the capital of the British Overseas Territory of Bermuda. It is the territory's financial centre and a major port and tourist destination.-Geography:...
, Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
's capital. In 1988 his other son Cecil Dismont, OBE, MBE, JP became the first black Mayor of the city. The road 'Dismont Drive' was named in his honour in 2003, in recognition of his service and the family's contribution to Bermuda.
Russell began his education at the Berkeley Preparatory School and the Excelsior Secondary School in his native Bermuda. He developed an early interest in literature, music, and art which he later pursued in America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
at the New York School of Art. A keen sportsman, he was a well-known tennis player and cricketer for St Georges Cricket Club (Bermuda), which he helped form. While studying law at the London School of Economics
London School of Economics
The London School of Economics and Political Science is a public research university specialised in the social sciences located in London, United Kingdom, and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
in England, he played for the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
, and once with Sir Garfield Sobers. During this period, he often socialised and talked politics with Earl Cameron
Earl Cameron (actor)
Earl Cameron, CBE is a Bermudian actor. He is known as one of the first black actors to break the "colour bar" in the United Kingdom, along with Cy Grant...
, Sidney Poitier
Sidney Poitier
Sir Sidney Poitier, KBE is a Bahamian American actor, film director, author, and diplomat.In 1963, Poitier became the first black person to win an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field...
and Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyatta
Jomo Kenyattapron.] served as the first Prime Minister and President of Kenya. He is considered the founding father of the Kenyan nation....
.
Upon his return to Bermuda he won many local tennis championships. Despite this, due to being 'coloured' he was only permitted to play at the island's tennis clubs twice a year. Ignoring this rule, on one occasion he and African-American tennis legend Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson
Althea Gibson was a World No. 1 American sportswoman who became the first African-American woman to be a competitor on the world tennis tour and the first to win a Grand Slam title in 1956. She is sometimes referred to as "the Jackie Robinson of tennis" for breaking the color barrier...
were ordered off the court. They both faked deafness and continued their game. As a consequence, Mr Dismont was later refused access to the premises completely. In the 1950s he, William E. R. Joell and others founded the All Bermuda Tennis Club for all people, irrelevant of their skin colour. To continue the interests of the black tennis players the Somers Isle Lawn Tennis Association was created, of which Mr Dismont was a member.
He began his professional career as an educator and taught at the elementary level at the Central School and later Harrington Sound School. He subsequently became a businessman, and operated a shop located in his father's A.H. Dismont Building.
He was becoming increasingly affected and concerned with the racial inequality on the island and was involved in a number of personal and group protests against the social injustices. In 1963 he was elected as one of the first six Members of Colonial Parliament for the newly created Bermudian
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
Progressive Labour Party
Progressive Labour Party (Bermuda)
The Progressive Labour Party is a political party in Bermuda. It has been in power since 1998, winning subsequent elections in 2003 and 2007.- Formation :...
(PLP). The party was primarily concerned with those issues that affected the ‘coloured’ population and the poor. It called for equitable taxation, the removal of racial discrimination, greater economic parity, the implementation of programmes for healthcare, insurance and pensions. In addition, it called for better housing, improved educational opportunities and electoral reform. During a temporary disenchantment with the Party, he started another – the Bermuda Democratic Party – but later returned and remained a staunch, lifelong supporter of the PLP. On the 9 November 1998 the party achieved its ultimate goal and won its first General Election.
His interest in celebrating and preserving the islands culture led him to acquire the magazine Fame (Bermuda). It catered largely to the black community, who until its publication had been mostly ignored by other local publications. He remained the publisher and editor for many years.
He has two sons from two of his four marriages; Derek Dismont and Saul Dismont. While at university in Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, USA, Derek was involved with the Black Panthers. On his mother's side, Saul is the nephew of actor Leigh Lawson
Leigh Lawson
Leigh Lawson is a film and stage actor, director, and writer.-Career:Trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Lawson has acted in film and television since the early 1970s, directed plays in the West End and on Broadway...
and Twiggy
Twiggy
Lesley Lawson née Hornby known as Twiggy is an English model, actress, and singer. In the early-1960s she became a prominent British teenage model of swinging sixties London with others such as Penelope Tree....
. He is also cousin to Sir John Mills' grandson Crispian Mills
Crispian Mills
Crispian Mills is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist. He is the son of actress Hayley Mills and director Roy Boulting, the grandson of John Mills and Mary Hayley Bell , nephew of Juliet Mills and Jonathan Mills, and half-brother to Jason "Ace" Lawson...
, the singer of English rock group Kula Shaker
Kula Shaker
Kula Shaker are an English psychedelic rock band. Led by outspoken frontman Crispian Mills, the band came to prominence during the Post-Britpop era of the late 1990s. The band enjoyed great commercial success in the UK between 1996 and 1999, notching up a number of Top 10 hits on the UK Singles...
. For a period Saul was lead singer of the band under its previous name, The Kays. He is currently a successful club DJ in England (aka DJ Kemosabe).