Caribbean nations celebrate Emancipation Day
Across the region, the freedom fighters of the Afro-Caribbean community are being celebrated as many states mark Emancipation Day.
August 1, 1834, is the day that the United Kingdom announced the end of the enslavement of African people.
Trinidad and Tobago was the first country to commemorate Emancipation Day as a national holiday.
The traditional parade through the capital city, Port of Spain, returned after a two-year hiatus due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley said that while slavery may have been abolished over 200 years ago, the scars and trauma endured by the ancestors are still felt today.
Rowley, who recently declared violent crime affecting T&T a “national public health emergency”, called on the African community to examine what changes they can adopt to break the cycle of violence.
“What we see in the down-side of the African communities today are expressions of that legacy, with feelings of detachment and estrangement, and misguided youths, alienated with little sense of a future, irritable, and quick in outbursts of anger,” he said in a statement.
“What is required is an overall understanding of the African condition. There must be conscious reminders that Africans are great people who gave world civilisation some of its greatest kingdoms and empires when Europe was still in its Dark Ages.
“Emancipation Day is a good day. Go beyond the celebrations to reflect on the wave of violence in our communities; think of the African family, ask yourself whether we are good listeners to our children; for example, are we telling them that success comes from discipline, effort, patience, thrift, temperance and inner peace; that sharing is caring, and that there are opportunities in crises and lessons in adversity?”
In Jamaica, a Float and Street Parade took place in Kingston from the Ranny Williams Entertainment Centre on Hope Road to the National Stadium car park.
The floats depicted Jamaica’s vibrant national colours culture along with statues of freedom fighters and national heroes Nanny of the Maroons and Samuel Sharpe.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness called on Jamaicans to look at the legacy of perseverance left by their formerly enslaved ancestors.
Over in Guyana, President Dr Mohammed Irfaan Ali said Guyana owes a lot to the African community for building the foundation on which the country stands.
With racial tensions in Guyana increasing over the last two years, Ali said his government would ensure everyone benefits from the state’s resources and policies.
“I want to reassure our African-Guyanese brothers and sisters that my government is committed to an inclusive future for all. Whatever concerns or grievances, you can be certain of a receptive and responsive government,” he said.
“No one will be left behind or left out of national development. Outreaches have already begun in communities across our country so that the people can join us in working to bring solutions.”
St Lucian Prime Minister Philip Pierre said Emancipation Day is a time to celebrate our ancestor’s “victory over the system that enslaved them.”
“Emancipation day is to say that we are strong enough to overcome the slavery of our times - poverty, high unemployment, violent crime among our youth, and underdevelopment. Celebrating emancipation day is to say that we as a people are determined to become a prosperous nation, conscious of the strengths and abilities inherited from our enslaved parents, proud of whom we are and from whence we came,” he stated.
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