By Dr Ron Sookram
Trinidad and Tobago along with the rest of the English speaking Caribbean (former British slave colonies) will be celebrating the 170th Anniversary of Emancipation on Friday August 1, 2008. In fact, Trinidad and Tobago became the first country in the world to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery, on August 1, 1985.
The great antislavery movement allied with economic interests, and the political pressure on slave societies as a result of slave resistance and revolts forced the British Government to abolish African slavery. Thus in 1833, the British Parliament passed an Act to abolish slavery in the British Empire. As of August 1, 1834, all slaves throughout the empire were to become free to some degree — if they were under the age of six, they would become free immediately, but if they were over six, they were to be apprenticed to their former masters. Apprenticeship was finally abolished on August 1, 1838.
Indeed, this is a significant and integral part of our history which cannot be over emphasized. However, we must appreciate that emancipation is still an ongoing process, and as we celebrate, time must be taken to truly assess the extent of our freedom. I humbly suggest that consideration be given to the following points as we engage in this year’s commemoration of Emancipation:
It’s time for us to realize that every CARICOM national who refuses to make a decision, every Trinbagonian who seeks a handout, every West Indian who looks outside our region for validation, every Caribbean person who believes that what we do isn’t good enough, is in need of emancipation still.
As our Prime Minister, Patrick Manning commented in 2004, “it might be that it is still truly a long road to freedom. But we shall get that much closer by freeing our minds to support and appreciate our cultures and experiences, as and on the way forward.”
Happy Emancipation Day!!!
Trinidad and Tobago along with the rest of the English speaking Caribbean (former British slave colonies) will be celebrating the 170th Anniversary of Emancipation on Friday August 1, 2008. In fact, Trinidad and Tobago became the first country in the world to declare a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery, on August 1, 1985.
The great antislavery movement allied with economic interests, and the political pressure on slave societies as a result of slave resistance and revolts forced the British Government to abolish African slavery. Thus in 1833, the British Parliament passed an Act to abolish slavery in the British Empire. As of August 1, 1834, all slaves throughout the empire were to become free to some degree — if they were under the age of six, they would become free immediately, but if they were over six, they were to be apprenticed to their former masters. Apprenticeship was finally abolished on August 1, 1838.
Indeed, this is a significant and integral part of our history which cannot be over emphasized. However, we must appreciate that emancipation is still an ongoing process, and as we celebrate, time must be taken to truly assess the extent of our freedom. I humbly suggest that consideration be given to the following points as we engage in this year’s commemoration of Emancipation:
- Is it reasonable to claim that existing forms of oppression in Trinidad and Tobago are a result of the failure to recognize the rights of all?
- Do we still believe that Caribbean people aren’t able to do things very well, and so we continue to import foreign models and expertise;
- The preference for hiring consultants from abroad to give advice that Caribbean experts have already considered and rejected;
- The willingness to privilege outside plans for development over local ones;
It’s time for us to realize that every CARICOM national who refuses to make a decision, every Trinbagonian who seeks a handout, every West Indian who looks outside our region for validation, every Caribbean person who believes that what we do isn’t good enough, is in need of emancipation still.
As our Prime Minister, Patrick Manning commented in 2004, “it might be that it is still truly a long road to freedom. But we shall get that much closer by freeing our minds to support and appreciate our cultures and experiences, as and on the way forward.”
Happy Emancipation Day!!!