“If you want to hide something (from a Bahamian), put it in writing” has been credited to Dr. Cleveland W. Eneas (1915-1995). It is not known when he first said it, but the saying implies that people in the Bahamas don’t like to read the details.
 
“If you want to hide something (from a black man), put it in writing” has been a popular African saying since at least 2006. The saying has been cited in many African countries, such as Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Kenya.
 
The saying has not been used in the United States, although it could describe legalese (overly technical legal jargon) or legislative bills that legislators vote on but don’t read.
 
   
Bahamas Uncensored
Address by the
Honourable Fred Mitchell
Rotary Club of South East Nassau
Caribbean Single Market and Economy
19th January 2005
(...)
Right after the speech, I was reminded therefore, when a political writer in Freeport wrote that there needed to be more public education and debate on CSME and that people needed to know what the Government’s position was; of the remark that the late Dr. Cleveland Eneas would make: “If you want to hide something from a Bahamian put it in writing”.
   
Caribbean Online Community
Xenocrates
January 30, 2006, 01:46 PM
Haven’t you heard Nester-san? If you want to hide something from Black people, put it in writing. 😉
   
Shoot the Messenger
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 02, 2006
Shoot the Messenger
(...)
I found it even more amusing to find that so common are our issues that someone has said, “If you want to hide something from the black man, put it in writing!” Someone else wrote a rather intriuging article titled, “Black people don’t read.”
     
Awoko.org
April 18, 2008
Think Tank The queen would quaver at our bad English
By Umaru Fofana
(...)
The culture if reading as a habit is dying. If you want to hide something from many of today’s Sierra Leoneans just put it in writing.
   
The Trial of Charles Taylor
On August 26, 2009 at 9:33 am, Zobon said:
(...)
Because they believe that if you want to hide something from the black man put it in writing and i am so sorry that some of you guys are still falling to that, because i see know were in this trial that the focus have been shift from Sierra Leone to Liberia if you think i am giving you wrong information then read!
 
Nairaland Forum
Re: Nigerian Auto Insurers: Do They Ever Pay Up? by niyooah(m): 8:28am On Jun 22, 2012
Like my friend said Insurance company in recent time do pay legitimate Claims.
And also we should kick against this proverb of “If you want to hide something from a Black Man just put it in writing”. My people should learn to read their Policy document and also ASK questions if they don’t understand their terms.
 
Twitter
Wairimo
‏@Wairimo
Ati if you want to hide something from a Kenyan put it in writing. #K24. Kenyans don’t read…?
8:58 PM - 16 Jan 13
   
Daily Monitor (Kampala, Uganda)
Poor reading culture should be reversed
Posted Saturday, March 23   2013 at 02:00
(...)
It is also noted that if you ever want to hide something from an African, simply put it in writing!
(...)
Titus Shem Makuma,
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
 
Bahama Islands Info
Immigration Minister addresses the Rotary Club of Southeast Nassau
Thursday, 04 April 2013 06:17
3rd April 2013
The late Dr. Cleveland Eneas used to say that if you want to hide something from a Bahamian put it in writing.
     
Bahamas Tribune
Mitchell Accuses Tribune Of ‘Hijacking’ Immigration Debate
As of Friday, April 12, 2013
By NEIL HARTNELL
(...)
He then referred to an old saying, adding: “If you want to hide something, put it in writing.”