Remembering slavery

French President Jacques Chirac today announced that France will hold an annual day of remembrance for the victims of slavery. It will be observed on 10 May, the anniversary of the day in 2001 on which France passed a law recognising slavery as a crime against humanity.

Bermuda already has such a day of remembrance. Celebrated at the beginning of August, Emancipation Day marks the anniversary of the official end of slavery in Bermuda on 1 August 1834. The day was only officially designated as Emancipation Day in 1999, however the holiday was established in 1872 (by the British) to mark "40 years since the unjust thralldom of slavery".

However, just as Christmas is now more about materialistic excess than it is the birth of Jesus, Emancipation Day - better known as the first day of Cup Match - is more about cricket and crown and anchor than it is about slavery.

Wouldn't it be better for us to decouple the two, and move Emancipation Day to another day?

Comments

[ace on 30.01.06 at 19:51]

France is a very interesting country. They "act" as if they are all left wingy tree hugging types but when you dig a bit deeper you will find they aren't all that "lovey dovey" after-all.

Take the recent race riots in Paris and other French cities. France allowed all the Algerians that wanted to leave that hell-hole to live in France...then they essentially divorced them from French society. They can't work, they have no money and they have a completely different culture and religion and they are simply shunned by Euro-centric French society.

So...what do they do? They make an announcement that they are going to have a national rememberance day. That'll fix it.

Mmmmkaaay.

Take a look at virtually every single former French colony. Shitholes...the lot of 'em. Haiti, Martinique, Algeria, just to name a few. No thanks. I'll stick to living in a British colony...thanks much.

Don't get me wrong...I'm all for a day of Rememberance. I am simply not going to hold up France as any form of "model" for solving racial issues.

[blacknblu on 30.01.06 at 20:19]

Last week a middle aged Bermudian co worker handed me her vacation slip requesting days off over the Emanicipation Day break. I asked her why she indicated she was requesting 3 days off when to me it looked like it should have been 4. She showed me her listing of public holidays and said "see here we have off for Eman....Em...whatever this is" When I realized the holiday she was trying to pronounce was Emancipation day I just looked at her and realized she had no clue what the day representated. She could not even pronounce the word. To many people -black, white, local or expat this is just another day off whether or not it coincides with cup match.

[SmokingGun on 30.01.06 at 20:22]

Was there a reason the first day of cup-match was picked to celebrate Emancipation Day? I like the idea that cup-match is pretty much the biggest all-inclusive celebration in Bermuda. It's the only occasion where the colour of one's skin doesn't matter. Just the colour of your clothes.

[Uncle Elvis on 30.01.06 at 21:15]

Exactly, Smokes.

I love and support the fact that we ARE celebrating this, but, as you said, the only colours that matter on Cup Match are red and light blue.
You can be evil and wear red with your dark blue, or you can fight for the forces of all that is good and holy and wear light blue.

I personally think that a different day, seperate from an already existing, well-established holiday, with its own traditions, would make it more meaningful. Let it grow and gain its own traditions, let it be something that will help, that will hopefully be a stepping stone to healing the great divide in this country.

[SmokingGun on 30.01.06 at 21:23]

Very funny Uncle E.

For the same reasons I agree that it might be better to hold it on a seperate day. But with so many holidays soon or later we are going to have to pick a day to actually work.

[jake on 30.01.06 at 21:43]

Folks,

There is a very good reason that Emancipation Day and the First Day of Cup Match are on the same day: it was intended.

The clubs, Somerset and St. Georges first held the Cup Match to celebrate Emancipation Day, before it was publically acknowledged as such. It was a way to celebrate the end of slavery in public without the powers that be knowing what was truly intended. For you it may be about red and blue and light blue and blue, but for blacks it was intended as a day of celebration.

To divorce the days would make no sense.

And why should Emancipation Day not be celebrated by everyone? As most of you claim to have no family connections to slave owners, you should have no problem joining in (in fact, even if you do have those connections, but not the convictions).

That, my friends, is history.

[NoVote on 30.01.06 at 21:52]

Smoking Gun - Take a look at the link in Limey's positing 'Emancipation Day', as it explains that the tradition was introduced by a British naval officer during a carnival in Somerset celebrating the anniversary of the Emancipation.

Limey - Given that this is the case, I find it difficult to see how you could seperate the two traditions, although I do agree that the Bermuda public doesn't give the impression that the significance of the date carries much weight during all the festivities.

And Finally - 1st August is also the anniversary of the establishment of Bermuda's House of Assembly (1620), at which time self-government in the Islands was assumed. It's kind of ironic when one observes the political maelstrom in Bermuda that this is the case. Perhaps our parliamentarians haven't gotten over the hangover from the first big Cup Match bash three hundred odd years ago!

And Finally Finally - I'd hate to see Cup Match (Somers Day or Emancipation Day) moved to another date, as it guarantees me a holiday on my birthday and a recovery day afterwards every year ;-)

[Slowhand on 30.01.06 at 23:47]

Cup Match, my favorite holiday!!!

As jake says, that is the reason for Cup Match's existance, and if you go to the game, at the start of the match always there is the reminder of what it represents, and a moment of silence is observed by the majority of those watching. Thats a lot of people all together.... all we need to do perhaps is expound on that and make it more impressionable.

RED & BLUE All the way!!!

[The Limey on 31.01.06 at 00:09]

I'm aware that Cup Match was originally created to celebrate emancipation. My point was that that side of things seems to have become lost amid everything else that Cup Match has come to stand for. Compare it to, say, Remembrance Sunday in November.

Slowhand suggests keeping Emancipation Day when it is, but making a bigger deal about the slavery aspect of the holiday. That might work, but I would think that most people would consider it a bit of a downer to have to spend more time thinking about slavery when they'd rather be cheering on their team.

So why not just move Emancipation Day forward by one day? Have it on the Wednesday before Cup Match and the traditions are still tied together, but there's a separate day to commemorate the slavery stuff. The next day, people go out and celebrate Cup Match as usual.

[JJ on 31.01.06 at 07:29]

so a three day holiday Limey?

[The Limey on 31.01.06 at 07:59]

JJ

so a three day holiday Limey?

Not necessarily. We can have a day dedicated to remembering slavery without giving everyone the day off. Remembrance Day is not a public holiday in the UK.

[hotspur on 31.01.06 at 08:22]

Jake, I get your point but now that blacks don’t have to celebrate undercover (so to speak) shouldn’t more emphasis be given to the original reason behind the day? You know, acknowledging the ills of yesterday, social healing etc, etc. Instead of it just being about the cricket – which is essentially what it is today.

Isn’t it a wasted opportunity for all Bermudians to try and mend bridges?

[Rossini on 31.01.06 at 09:19]

Wonders never cease. White people now trying to control the manner in which Emancipation Day is marked ! Friends, this society has always forced black people to be muted in the celebration of thier culture and further has never encouraged an identity with their heritage. Look at some of your posts even now. "why can't we just celebrate Cup Match all together".....its precisely that kind of mock unity that dilutes black peoples' appreciation of and identification with their culture. I agree with The Limey that the observance of the day has become more party than remembrance but if that were to change and there was to be genuine recollection of the horrors of slavery and the real analysis of the ill-effects on black people how many of you would support that ? Virtually none as your view would be "why can't we just forget about this racial thing". That is code in the white community for "be happy with Black History Month and confine your issues to February if you please".

Pick another holiday to fix folks. You all are not ready for this one to be real.

[loki on 31.01.06 at 09:46]

"Wonders never cease. White people now trying to control the manner in which Emancipation Day is marked !"

Let me be the first to call bullshit on this ridiculous post. I don't see any of the previous posters seeking to 'control' how Emancipation Day is marked. Can you point to the comments where whites are seeking to 'control' it. please? No? Didn't think so. I see people suggesting that it might be an idea to give it a day to itself, apart from Cup Match, to allow emphasis on emancipation itself, rather than cricket.

"its precisely that kind of mock unity that dilutes black peoples' appreciation of and identification with their culture."

....as opposed to diluting it by placing emphasis on a game of cricket, you mean?

" Virtually none as your view would be "why can't we just forget about this racial thing".

Please, save the bigoted generalizations of white culture and how you think some stereotypical, middle-of-the-road white person would react. Kudos for having the balls to be offensive, but nil points for lazy thinking and bigotry.

"That is code in the white community for "be happy with Black History Month and confine your issues to February if you please".

I see bigotry, generalization and lazy stereotypes are very much your forte.

Having said all this, I agree with Jake and Slowhand: Emancipation Day and Cup Match originated in this manner. It would undermine the history of the island and the very reason for Cup Match to divorce the two.

[Two Cents on 31.01.06 at 10:45]

Rossini,

I think you misundersttod the points made in earlier posts, no-one is trying to;
(a) Control the manner in which Emancipation Day is marked.
(b) Confine these issues to February (Black History, Emancipation, etc)

These issues are as important as any other points in Bermuda's history and deserve to recognised as such.

Further I agree with Loki that by separating these two important events we would undermine the history of the island and the celebration of them.

You have to also remember that the stereotypical, middle-of-the-road white person (who you seem to be confusing us with), who may be against the idea of Black History Month & Emancipation Day etc. would have to be a very small segment of the white community as I would think the majority of whites in Bermuda would/ do support Black History month, and Emancipation Day,whole heartedly.

[SmokingGun on 31.01.06 at 11:40]

Jake & No Vote: Thanks for the explanation. My apologies for not having made it my business to learn the origins of Cup Match at a much earlier date. Actually I think I probably did know the origins but age and Guinness have started to show their effects. And what's scary is I didn't even think to do a search on Google first. Doh.

Also the fact that I have never made it to the opening of Cup Match to witness the ceremony might be part of it. Actually I do not ever recall making it to the end for that matter...

Rossini - there are many many white people in this world today who will go out of their way to celebrate and honor those that have suffered or been wronged in the past. Because in some ways it's just as important to them. Coretta Scott King passed away last night. Would it not be right for any white people to attend her funeral based on your thinking given the fact that even white people suffered or died in the name of freedom and marched side by side with herself and her husband.

On another totally less serious note. This is from wikipedia:
Emancipation Day was also a celebration by motor car owners in Great Britain upon the revokement of the Red Flag Act which required all motor vehicle owners to have a man walk in front of their vehicles carrying a warning in form of a red flag.

Funny, I still see a lot of people waving red flags from cars heading to Cup Match...

[Two Cents on 31.01.06 at 12:11]

Smoking,

Another interesting point that I just read at
http://www.bermuda-online.org/pubhols.htm
was the following:
"The popularity of the annual game was such that it caused continued absences from employment. As a direct result, the 2-day public holiday was first introduced in 1947 and has been in effect ever since".

So essentailly if enough of us decided not to go to work on say April 14th (not a random date, but my birthday) eventually we could have it declared a public holiday...sounds like a plan.

[SmokingGun on 31.01.06 at 12:17]

Two Cents - In the US, April 14th is actually one of those days that see a lot of people taking the day off to prepare their taxes which are due on the 15th. If Bermuda had taxes and ran a similar program dare I say you might get your wish!

Let's hope not.... ;)

[drew on 31.01.06 at 12:21]

What is with the preoccupation with slavery on this site? It seems like every topic boils down to some black guy arguing that if white people apologised for an institution that ended 172 years ago you wouldn't have black guys slashing other black guys at football or cricket matches. Yeah right. As for Emancipation Day I bet most blacks and whites don't even know that it is one of the Cup Match days, just as much as they don't know the other day is Somers Day.

[Two Cents on 31.01.06 at 12:23]

Smoking,

I am very aware of the U.S significance of April 14th, as when I lived in the U.S it was murder trying to get my friends to go out to celebrate my birthday as most of them annually procrastinated and ended up doing their taxes up until the last possible minute.

[Uncle Elvis on 31.01.06 at 12:29]

"...if that were to change and there was to be genuine recollection of the horrors of slavery and the real analysis of the ill-effects on black people how many of you would support that..."

I would, for one.

Perhaps you need to actually READ the posts here, instead of skimming and making assumptions.

Most of the white folks here aren't "why can't we just forget about this racial thing". We're about "Why can't we FIX this racial thing?" and "How do we do that?"

Lumping everyone together into one little box makes you just as bad as the imaginary bigots you seem to see here and decry in your posts.

2¢,

April 14th it is, then. I'm taking the day off! Who's with me?

[Rossini on 31.01.06 at 13:01]

Good to see your passions roused ! Drew keep your apology. As I've said before people of my generation don't want any apology, we want a fair shake at life. Elvis we're all lumping here.....to presume. as Drew does, that most blacks don't know about or relate to Emancipation Day for example is lumping too. The stereotypes which everyone thinks I am alluding too are real people who are the most vocal and the most visible white people in this community.This world is about works and if you want to be taken seriously don't make Cup Match the only time that you are surrounded by black people. The history of integration in this country is of blacks joining white institutions and not vice-versa. Even 24th May manifests the divide....parade in town and sailing in St. George's. We're getting closer though....more mixed, young couples, more mixed schools...hopefully this next generation won't have race to add to their already full plate of issues.

[7UP on 31.01.06 at 13:29]

I'm in. April 14th it is. Might even fly a kite. Its Friday I believe.

Good!

[thisgrassman on 31.01.06 at 13:37]

Even 24th May manifests the divide....parade in town and sailing in St. George's.

Posted by Rossini on 31.01.06 at 13:01

The May 24th "Bermuda Day" Parade should perhaps be given over to some form of rememberance - if only to rescue some scrap of tradition from what it has become - namely a kitchy second rate americana shambles.

Slightly off topic on Bermuda public holidays - the most amazing demonstation of how tribal this country still remains is when on the Queens Birthday holiday the comet race starts from the West End Sailboat Club.

To witness on one side of Watford Bridge the black floatilla following the comets while at the same time the white floatilla follows the dingy race on the other side really calls into question the cosy notion of a shared maritime
history between the races.

I have always thought it would make a great national geographic type photo oportunity. Perhaps from an ariel perspective - a county divided by a bridge.

[Uncle Elvis on 31.01.06 at 14:20]

"The stereotypes which everyone thinks I am alluding too are real people who are the most vocal and the most visible white people in this community"

So you are sating that there is a vocal and visible group of people that are actively, vocally and visibly against the celebration of Black History and a remembrance of slavery?

"the most vocal and the most visible"
That's what you said.

Can you point me at some examples? Please?

By the way, drew does not speak for others here. In fact, what he says is pretty much the opposite of what many, if not most, people have said here.

To lump him in with the rest of us is like me saying,
"All you black folk are militant racists, 'cuz Rossini doesn't read posts properly."

"you want to be taken seriously don't make Cup Match the only time that you are surrounded by black people"

"...parade in town and sailing in St. George's..."

First off, do you honestly believe that the only time most white Bermudians are around Black folk is Cup Match? That's ridiculous. Come on. I know you have to try to keep this "Angry Black Youth" persona going, but you cannot honestly think that the majority of white folk isolate themselves that much.

Funny you should mention sailing in St. George's. Every time I've been on a boat in St' George Harbour, the majority of the people out on their OWN boats have been black. Now, if you had said Dinghy Club or Yacht Club, I'd be with you, but St. George's? Not your best analogy.

[Two Cents on 31.01.06 at 15:45]

""The stereotypes which everyone thinks I am alluding too are real people who are the most vocal and the most visible white people in this community"

I disagree strongly with that comment/fact, these "vocal and the most visible white people" are now getting older any slowly dying off, and with their deaths, I would hope/think that these attitudes that drive a wedge between the races will die off as well. I would like to thnk I know alot of people representing a wide cross section of Bermuda, and I believe that I would have a hard time thinkimg of anyone who represents this old way of racist beliefs, as the ones I can think of have died...some more recently than others but dead or dying just the same..and with it their attitude.

[Triforce on 31.01.06 at 15:56]

We could use another public holiday (we only have 10), preferably during this dry patch between New Year's and Good Friday, but in any event the Emancipation Day holiday should remain where it is for its historical reasons.

More attention should be given to it at Cup Match itself, I'd like to see the radio announcers discuss it a bit in depth before the game starts and during the lunch intervals.

[Yet Another Limey on 31.01.06 at 16:27]

We could use another public holiday

Triforce, that’s a fantastic idea. Why don’t we have a fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras holiday (or Jif Lemon Day for the Brits).

[jake on 31.01.06 at 17:01]

"Have it on the Wednesday before Cup Match and the traditions are still tied together, but there's a separate day to commemorate the slavery stuff." Limey

The date of Emancipation was fixed by Legislation in 1834 on 1 August. It was 'selected' because that was the day it took place. It is sacred.

You could do better than to talk about the institution of slavery as 'slavery stuff'. It is demeaning and highly offensive. Just a suggestion on my part lest someone call me angry black and young. Well, at least I am not young.

[Rossini on 31.01.06 at 17:40]

You know Elvis....you are really funny. Your patronising views are so typical that you feed precisely the stereotype to which I so often refer. Let me help you....I know it fits your profile of me to paint me as angry....I hate to break it to you I couldn't be happier. This young black male does not depend on whites for validation. What is so interesting to me is that you interpret my expressions of my opinions and views, based on experiences etc., which to me have become facts to me as "anger". That is so wild its worthy of further study.As to the examples that you seek, look now at the political scene, the raw anger of Dunkley and all that he represents is the perfect example. I know we're all supposed to think that he's cool because he hires blacks to drive the trucks and he smiles at us and speaks to us he's "a nice man"....but the 40 Thieves were the nicest fellas the Island ever knew....

The angry people in this country now are white people. Some angry because they still can't stomach the likes of Brown and Burch in charge, others angry because their silence during the hard times for black people in this country has come back to haunt them, and still others angry because black people like me have the audacity to tell them the truth about who they are.

It ain't me who's angry my brother....its y'all.

[The Limey on 31.01.06 at 18:06]

jake

The date of Emancipation was fixed by Legislation in 1834 on 1 August. It was 'selected' because that was the day it took place. It is sacred.

But Emancipation Day is not held on 1 August. It's held on the Thursday closest to the 1 August (presumably only because Thursday is a good day to start a 2 day public holiday).

You could do better than to talk about the institution of slavery as 'slavery stuff'. It is demeaning and highly offensive.

Sorry if I offended. I'm wondering if we can't do more to get people thinking about slavery, not trying demean it.

Rossini

"why can't we just celebrate Cup Match all together".....its precisely that kind of mock unity that dilutes black peoples' appreciation of and identification with their culture

Why, would it be better if blacks and whites wanted to celebrate Cup Match apart?

I agree with The Limey that the observance of the day has become more party than remembrance but if that were to change and there was to be genuine recollection of the horrors of slavery and the real analysis of the ill-effects on black people how many of you would support that ?

Quite a lot, I'd imagine. But I would hope that a day of remembrance would be about more than that. I would hope that it was also dedicated to drawing attention to where slavery is still going on in the world today (as Chirac hinted the French remembrance day might do). Not because as a white person I'm uncomfortable about focusing entirely on the white enslavement of blacks, but because present-day slavery is surely just as unconscionable as the historic kind.

Two Cents

I would think the majority of whites in Bermuda would/ do support Black History month, and Emancipation Day,whole heartedly.

Getting off topic, but I actually don't support Black History month for the same reason that many blacks don't: black history is Bermudian history and should be taught and discussed in the other 11 months of the year too. If the problem is a lack of black history being taught in schools, then Black History month is a band-aid, it's not addressing the real problem.

[tong on 31.01.06 at 18:08]

brown and burch are just arrogant crooks thats the prob, nothing to do with being black. Were they white I'd think the same thing.

I am sooo tired of the white people think "Enter any statement you want" style that some people have. Rampant generalizations are the deathnell(sp) of any good debate.

What can be said about people black and white now shipping in labour, Portuguese or Asians and housing them in large groups paying them next to nothing, so little in fact that they cannot afford to leave if they wanted to. This apparently is a trend that knows no colour, yet it is a modern form of slavery/Indentured servitude. We are all as bad as each other and must take a collective step forward by allowing the past to rest.

sorry rambled a bit there.

[SmokingGun on 31.01.06 at 18:09]

"Some angry because they still can't stomach the likes of Brown and Burch in charge." - Rossini

The only issue I have with Ewart Brown is whether some of the decisions he makes are truly in the best interest of Bermuda or just a select few. He's a smart guy and if he's honorable and willing to take the high road then I'll support his endeavors. Sometimes I do question his motives.

Colonel Burch on the other hand is a sanctimonious arrogant flack who turns as many black stomachs as white with is derogatory remarks against all Bermudians.

[Two Cents on 31.01.06 at 18:11]

Jake,

Good point RE:Legislation of Emancipation Day. It is a fixed day, but I still feel that more emphasis should be placed on Emancipation, to remind people of the hard work, those who died, and how much suffering it took so that the Bermudians of today could have equality for all, to most Bermudians it's just another holiday which is a shame.

Rossini,

You too have some points, but I don't think you understand what SOME of us are saying.

I am proud that you don't need validation, but as a man you shouldn't need validation from ANYONE regardless of colour/race.

I also think that in your misguidedness you are mistaking Michael Dunkley's passion for Bermuda for "raw anger". I have had very few dealings with the man but to me it seems he believes strongly in Bermuda and it's sucess for EVERYONE not just whites.

I can't stomach Mr Burch because I dislike the fact that he speaks of demanding respect, and treats others (both Black & White) with very little himself.

As far as Dr. Brown,I have very few problems with him except to say that, he again seems very passionate about Bermuda as well, however in his attempts to bring about change, and sucess quickly, he comes across as brash, thoughtless & arrogant. I also dislike the fact that as Minister Of Tourism he can/will ignore the sugguestions of lifelong tourism business men/women who are finally making an effort to help offer advice, suggestions, etc. to create a better Bermuda.

[Two Cents on 31.01.06 at 18:17]

Limey,

I couldn't agree more, "black history is Bermudian history and should be taught and discussed in the other 11 months of the year".

I think we need someone to write an all encompassing History of Bermuda textbook that should be used in our schools covering ALL Bermuda history. Personally I wish I had the skills to do so, but as I don't someone should step forward.

[SmokingGun on 31.01.06 at 18:24]

Two Cents - That's a very good idea. In fact if I were P I'd have said screw the BIC report, get a commission together to write the book.
You can only truly understand your future once you know your past.

[thisgrassman on 31.01.06 at 18:27]

Rossini,

You were starting to intrigue me with your take on things until you introduced Burch into your rantings.

How is someone who swore allegiance to the Queen of England held up as a worthy antagonist to the old white order?

[Bill Cook on 31.01.06 at 18:59]

I could get much more enthusiastic about emancipation day if it was used to focus attention on the prevailing slavery of today.

As long as there those enslaved by the millions in many parts of the world it makes no sense to me to celebrate with a clear conscience.

[tong on 31.01.06 at 19:08]

good post Bill Cook

[SmokingGun on 31.01.06 at 19:28]

Bill - that's the one thing that always bothers me. We spend so much time discussing the past and trying to either seek reparation or forgiveness that we never get onto the fact that our lessons have been so poorly learned. The amount of self-righteous selfishness that I see being espoused is another thing that turns my stomach.

JFK's words will forever have meaning. "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country".

We even have people working and living in conditions close to servitude in Bermuda today.... just look around. I can't say I've seen too many BIU people marching on their behalf.

[Bill Cook on 31.01.06 at 19:50]

Smoke go to www.antislavery.org

Interestingly both JFK and Bobby Kennedy were very opposed to modern slavery and bonded labour where 20 million world wide have been tricked into loans for as little as the medicine for a sick child and to repay that debt many are forced to work 365 days a yr for basic food and shelter and may never pay off the loan which is often passed down thru generations.

The Kennedys also were supportive of the Palestinians who are defacto slaves in the sweat shops of Israel.

Tens of millions of children work full time with no opportunity of any education or recreation and prostitution and exploitation and trafficking are rampant.

[SmokingGun on 31.01.06 at 20:18]

Bill - I am familiar with the organisation. It's interesting that it's been around since Emancipation and it still has so much work on it's plate. I have been particularly keen on following the use of children in various world industries and how to help force change. We will not deal with certain companies because they cannot gaurantee child labour has not been used in production of their goods.

Ironically many of them are French.....

[Bill Cook on 31.01.06 at 20:32]

True but most are Chinese I would say.

[SmokingGun on 31.01.06 at 20:36]

Without a doubt.

[Uncle Elvis on 31.01.06 at 20:44]

Ok. Sorry if I was misunderstood, but I was under the impression that, much like the "Uptight White Guy" persona, there is an "Angry Black Youth" one.
But wait. I forgot. We're only allowed to personify white guys as uptight, racist pricks. We're not allowed to personify militant black guys as anything. They are who they are and we'd better get used to it. Just because they spout the same stereotypical "You guys don't understand and why the hell should I explain it to you, fuck you" bile over and over, they are NOT to be classified.
My bad.

So, I get it now. When someone is behaving like a stereotype and repeating the same ill-informed bile over and over, it's only ok to call them names when they're white. Sorry. I wasn't aware of that rule.

Rossini,
Please... "tell [me] the truth about who [I am]."

I'm dying to hear this.

"Your patronising views are so typical that you feed precisely the stereotype to which I so often refer"

How was I patronising? I asked a few questions, based on your post, then, yes, I admit it, took a swipe at you.
You did answer one of the questions, with the Dunkley reference, and, I admit, I misunderstood your original post. It looked like you were saying that this group you referred to were visibly and vocally being racist. Wasn't this what you were saying?

"[If]there was to be genuine recollection of the horrors of slavery and the real analysis of the ill-effects on black people how many of you would support that?"

So back to the beginning. I ask you. How, after reading the posts on this site, the MANY posts supporting just this sort of thing, can you say this?
In many of the threads here, we have asked for just this sort of thing. Many of us honestly want to know. We WANT a genuine analysis of the ill-effects. We WANT to help mend this rift.

"Virtually none as your view would be "why can't we just forget about this racial thing". That is code in the white community..."

This is why I mentioned your "Angry Black Youth" persona. I am amazed that you can jump into THIS group of people, who have done do much to open MY eyes, and many other people's eyes, to the real problems, the real issues, and have worked hard to, at the very least, try to start helping mend and heal, and accuse the entire white community of having this attitude.
I'm not disagreeing that the attitude is out there, but I AM saying that there are many, here especially, that are actively trying to fight it.
I said that you were cultivating the "Angry Black Youth" persona because I sincerely hope that it IS a persona and not how you really feel. Especially after reading this site.

"Pick another holiday to fix folks. You all are not ready for this one to be real."

I think you missed the point of the original post.
Phil isn't suggesting we fix it. He's making the suggestion that is SHOULD be real. As jake has pointed out, moving the day isn't the answer, but it doesn't nullify the question.
I think... I hope we are ready.

So, back to the topic.

We've established that there are very good reasons for the day being when it is. Thank you, jake. I wasn't aware of this.
(Also, I can very much see your point on the "slavery stuff" issue. Your response was perfect. Thank you for not jumping down Phil's throat. If we could all, myself CERTAINLY included, coud have the class and poise to just say that something offended us and why, without flying off the handle, we'd all probably be a lot further along than we are! Thanks)

So. Is there some validity to the concept of sort of "upping the ante" when it comes to a remembrance ceremony or, hell, doing SOMETHING to celebrate the day?
Mr. Cooke,
I like your idea of bringing ALL slavery into the mix, so we can, at least, TRY to get the Big Picture on this.
Does this idea offend?

[Bill Cook on 31.01.06 at 23:06]

Uncle,

Of course not, my belief embraces the suffering of all mankind however, it does not compartmentalise ie mans inhumanity to man without selectivity.

[19th Hole on 31.01.06 at 23:42]

How long will we argue about this racial thing...days, months, years.. nothing will change at the drop of a hat even with reparation, apologies etc... the only thing we can hope for is for everyone to treat everyone else like equals with respect in all scenarios,everyday, and hopefully our children's grandchildren will live in a better world.

[hotspur on 01.02.06 at 07:52]

50 posts later and nothing’s been discussed to bring the true reason behind the holiday to the forefront. Just a “fuck you, whitey, leave our party alone” response.

Fine, I’ll stick with my tradition: turn up on one of the days, watch 10 minutes of the game, spend a few bucks on the tables have a few beers, leave. No problemo.

Happy (ignorant) Holidays, everyone!

[Turtle on 01.02.06 at 08:20]

In addition to Cup Match (which I agree should not be separated from the occasion it celebrates) there is already a separate commemoration of Emancipation in Bermuda:

The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Emancipation Day Committee holds a commemoration ceremony every year to mark emancipation day. Over the years they have commissioned original plays, music and dance performances from Bermudians which shed light on or evoke aspects of slavery and emancipation. The commemoration is moving, inspiring and as a footnote is a great opportunity to see new creative works. I am surprised that none of you have mentioned it.

[jake on 01.02.06 at 08:49]

I take the correction about the 1 August Phil. I guess it makes the point that we are not focused on it.

I think the country grows more if we can all recognize the impact of man's inhumanity toward man (and woman). I would like to see a day set aside, and have it locked on 1 August, where we can mark the end of Slavery, but also celebrate and aim for the unity we strive for. It can be a day where we as a country mark the end of an era in which people were deemed as less because of their skin color.

It does not have to be, nor should it ever be, a day of recrimination. That makes false martyrs out of some people today, and pseudo sinners out of others.

Neither is helpful to our country.

[jake on 01.02.06 at 08:55]

Phil,

Where am I supposed to send that Champagne anyway?

[Shark on 01.02.06 at 09:30]

I am just wondering how old the people who post on here are. When Rossini refers to the next generation dose it mean my generation? ie those borne in the mid and late 1980's? If it is my generation then i can say me and my friends from Bermuda (black on white) realy could care less about finger pointing and all this race crap. We really dont care thats for older generations to argue about. Saying that all whites are angry in Bermuda? well lets see from what iv read in all 3 papers and from my relitives back home Bermuda has really not advanced (please can older gtenerations not completly screw up Bermuda, id like to return one day after my degree) if not then all the young people of Bermuda will just leave and stay in U.S.A, Canada and Europe leaving all the older generations in Bermuda to argue.

To the actual point of the post any changes to the holiday would change Bermuda History (and thats a bad thing)

[It Does Matter on 01.02.06 at 09:43]

I have my views on Emancipation Day, but I will reserve them. I've read the comments that came before, and I have one sentence.

THE IDEAS OF EQUALITY AND INTEGRATION HAVE THEIR FOUNDATION IN RACISM.

Figure that out if you will.

[rose colored glasses on 01.02.06 at 10:28]

I truly believe that there exists the opportunity to succeed in this country for ANYONE who wants to work hard, regardless of skin color. As bad as it is for someone to be disadvantaged because or their skin color, it is equally bad to expect a hand out because of it.

Get off your ass and work for it. That's what I have to say to anyone who wants to succeed in life. If you experience racism (or any kind of "ism" for that matter) on the job, then complain about it and don't stop until your voice is heard and the situation is amended. Take it to the highest court in the land if you need to. But don't sit around and bitch about not having equal opportunities.

It doesn't achieve anything and it doesn't earn anyone's respect.

We all have to work together to make Bermuda a better place. Singling out one day to remember slavery (which is poorly accomplished right now, as we have all acknowledged) is not good enough. Bermudian history should be taught in every school...not just the "Bermuda was formed by a volcanic explosion" stuff.

[SmokingGun on 01.02.06 at 12:40]

Jake - As we are all well aware in the US they have their Independence Day celebration on July 4th. It is referred to as just that, the July 4th Holiday. Could Bermuda make more of a point about the meaning behind the holiday by referring to it as the August 1st Holiday? It will always be intricately tied in with Cup Match but will allow the Emancipation Day to also have it's own stature. The added benefit is Tourism will have a heck of an easier time explaining to the tourists when's a good time to be on the island and they will know it will not interfere with July 4th celebrations when everyone wants to be home.

[tong on 01.02.06 at 12:54]

I think the country grows more if we can all recognize the impact of man's inhumanity toward man (and woman). I would like to see a day set aside, and have it locked on 1 August, where we can mark the end of Slavery, but also celebrate and aim for the unity we strive for. It can be a day where we as a country mark the end of an era in which people were deemed as less because of their skin color.

Great post Jake, Now thats a Holiday I think is much needed!!!
Independance is what some people think will make this possible, but it just needs actions and that holiday sounds like a great start!!

[The Limey on 01.02.06 at 13:30]

jake

Where am I supposed to send that Champagne anyway?

I was hoping we could meet up, so I could share it with you. Either way, drop me an email.

[The Limey on 01.02.06 at 13:36]

Turtle

The Department of Community and Cultural Affairs Emancipation Day Committee holds a commemoration ceremony every year to mark emancipation day...I am surprised that none of you have mentioned it.

If no-one mentioned it because no-one was aware of it (I wasn't), I think that shows why Emancipation Day and Cup Match shouldn't be on the same day.

I liked Smoking Gun's idea of designating 1 August as Emancipation Day. It respects history while ensuring that Emancipation Day and Cup Match won't always clash.

[SmokingGun on 01.02.06 at 13:54]

Actually Limey I'd say Jake and I share the same idea but I do think calling it August 1st would help drive it's meaning through to many who really never understand the significance of that date.

For fun I copied some other "big" events from Wikipedia that occured on August 1st. Interesting about the first, third and fourth. Coincidence?

1619 - First African slaves arrive in Jamestown, Virginia.
1774 - The element oxygen is discovered by Carl Wilhelm and Joseph Priestley.
1776 - Formal signing of the United States Declaration of Independence.
1834 - Slavery is abolished in the British Empire.
1838 - Slaves in Trinidad and Tobago are emancipated.
1944 - Anne Frank makes the last entry in her diary.
1944 - Warsaw Uprising against the Nazi occupation breaks out in Warsaw, Poland.
1971 - George Harrison's Concert for Bangladesh in New York City

Oh yes and finally....

1994 - Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley confirm rumors that they had married eleven weeks earlier.

[ace on 01.02.06 at 14:19]

"1994 - Michael Jackson and Lisa Marie Presley confirm rumors that they had married eleven weeks earlier."

...which coincided with an earth trembling at Elvis' grave. Seismologists believe the tremor was caused by something (or someone) rolling underneath the earth. It is a mystery to them even today.

[It Does Matter on 01.02.06 at 15:44]

To be completely honest we shouldn't celebrate Emancipation Day at all. Blacks have not been "emancipated".

They dropped the name "slave" in 1834 and picked up a new set of social controls. They stopped saying "Masser" and "Boss" and learned to say "Master" and "Boss".

Whites stopped justifying alienation and started preaching equality. The children of slave owners were taught to speak the new words of their ancestors; but there was little substance to their dialogue.

Through the fog of equality there were lynchings. Through the fog of equality there were hangings. Through the fog of equality there was, and is, unemployment. There is stereotypical ramblings that we as Blacks are criminal and uneducated. That our goverments are corrupt entities. Through the fog of equality was passed a belief that Blacks are the only hurdle in the way of their own success.

To make matters worse, as if saying the talk of equality and integration is enough for Blacks, whites ask us to put our history atop a dusty shelf.

And that's were we remain. Precious little changed. Precious little made better.

Blacks have much soul searching to do. Blacks need to suss our their environment. Emancipate themselves from that environment.

For what minor freedom we did receive, we should celebrate. We should never let go of that historical moment when one form of shackles were released. It should not be diluted, or set aside. How we maintain our link to that moment in 1834 is up to us. But what is more important is remembering there should be a link in the first place.

[Two Cents on 01.02.06 at 17:06]

Jake,

I sent you a couple of emails to jakebaby2@hotmail.com, but they were bounced back to me. If you get a chance, drop me a quick email.

Thanks

[SmokingGun on 01.02.06 at 17:17]

"But what is more important is remembering there should be a link in the first place."

A link yes but not the full shackle.