Emancipation Day should not become the focus of the Cup Match holiday as it might breed division in the community, a former Premier has warned.

And Sir John Swan said the bid to rename Bermuda's Cup Match Holiday as Emancipation Day could take the Island backward rather than forward in the eyes of the rest of the world.

The Public Holidays Amendment Act, which was tabled in the House of Assembly on November 5, aims to rename the traditional two-day break in July and August to recognise the abolition of slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834 by King William IV.

Sir John said Emancipation Day and Somers Day both served as reminders of the tremendous progress the Island had made since it was first settled in 1609.

But separating them would send a message that the Island was developing division rather than creating unity.

"We privately and collectively celebrate those achievements both as reminders, and as matters of historical fact, of what we are today as a result of sometimes individual and sometimes collective efforts,'' he said.

"As we approach the new Millennium in a world that is becoming more and more transparent, we will be judged as individuals and as a Country not by who we are, but by what we are.

"Therefore it is important that the point we make about these celebrations is not backward, but that they are in concert with the rest of the world which is rapidly moving forward.'' The Island should instead follow the example of Americans and Canadians who expressed their gratitude to God and one another through the celebration of Thanksgiving, he suggested.

"Bermuda therefore should, if it is to have a collective identity and change the identity of the holiday known as Cup Match, make it known as Bermuda's thanksgiving.'' That was not to say emancipation and the Island's discovery should not be celebrated, stressed Sir John.

"This would mark a celebration of our discovery, our diversity, our emancipation, our achievements, our togetherness and our hope for an even better future,'' he said.

"Therefore it would show we are seeking a collective pride in our individual and collective achievements.

"We do not want to send a message to the outside world that we are now developing a divided society through the symbolism of two separate holidays -- one for whites and one for blacks.'' The present Cup Match celebrations pointed toward a diverse society, continued Sir John, with participants in the variety of on Island events coming from all walks of life and races.

CRICKET CRI