Caribbean leaders say Emancipation calls for unity

PORT OF SPAIN (CMC):

Caribbean countries yesterday celebrated Emancipation Day with a public holiday and regional politicians underscoring the need for tolerance and respect for all the various races of the Caribbean.

Antigua and Barbuda's Prime Minister Baldwin Spencer used the occasion marking the emancipation of slaves of African origin to remind citizens that "the future success and growth of our twin-island state is dependent on the commitment of each resident to cooperate and unite in action for better economic and social growth".

But Spencer said he was also dreaming of a "united Caribbean, strong and steadfast in its thrust for development and prosperity of its entire population", as well as the "unification of Africa defending their sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence".

Integration necessary

"After 30 years of independence in Antigua and Barbuda and over 45 years of sovereignty among other countries in the region, the time has come for us to integrate in ways that will bring benefit to the ordinary man on the street.

"Therefore, the celebration of Emancipation must also be seen in the broader context of liberating our societies of poor work attitudes, laziness, corruption, disrespect and violent crime," he added.

In her message, the Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Kamla Persad Bissessar said her country has been in the forefront in raising the consciousness of people locally, regionally and internationally about the importance that we need to attach to Emancipation.

"We must all rededicate ourselves to ensuring that such an event must never again occur in human history to fully liberate, in all aspects, those who continue to languish in the traumas of this serious degradation to humankind.

"We are all victims, directly or indirectly of this human tragedy, and we should be very proud that Trinidad and Tobago operates as a model nation where we celebrate the successes and failures, the pain and the pleasures of all our citizens," she said.

Jamaica's Prime Minister Bruce Golding told Jamaicans they should use the occasion to honour those who fought for an end to slavery, while at the same time recommit themselves to the process of nation-building.

'We must do our part'

"Our task is to do our part in the same way that our slaving fore-fathers did theirs, and so better enable those who come after us to deal with the challenges that they will face.

"Through the courageous efforts of our heroes like Sam Sharpe and Nanny of the Maroons; through the defiant struggle of persons like Tacky and Three-Finger Jack; through the strident advocacy of conscious white men like William Wilberforce in England and William Knibb in Jamaica; through the missionary work of organisations like the Baptist church, slavery was officially abolished in 1834".

Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller, in her message, said Emancipation Day should not only be regarded as a day of celebration

"It is also a reminder that despite the odds and despite our size, we have pierced the global consciousness. We have shown the world the best of who we are and who we can become. It reminds us that we are descended from a people with histories and achievements in knowledge, technologies, techniques and values which can greatly assist human development.

"Emancipation Day is indeed a platform from which we can reflect on the past and project a future built on the equality and justice our ancestors dreamed of as they sought to justify why, due to the colour of their skin, the twist of their hair, the build of their frame, or the brow of their faces, one race would so, through the crime of slavery, rob them of their very humanity," said Simpson Miller.