TODAY, AUGUST 1, is being observed as Emancipation Day, a noteworthy day in the history of Barbados and the entire English-speaking Caribbean. It should be a very special day for all the people of this island as we commemorate the end of slavery in this region 181 years ago. Unfortunately, the significance of this day was overlooked for way too long.
Many have felt that the period of African enslavement in the Caribbean is an era past and should be forgotten; certainly not emphasized. But we as a people must take a cue from the Jewish people, who will not let anyone forget the Holocaust. Yet the atrocities committed against people of African descent in the Caribbean occurred over a longer period and indeed more intensely. Black chattel slavery was undoubtedly one of the most brutal and inhuman systems inflicted on a people.
To make a bad situation worse, the oppression lasted long after the ending of slavery. Little wonder, then, that the call for reparations has been met with condemnation. But we must not forget the planter class, which had opposed Emancipation, was rewarded £20 000 000 in compensation for their lost “property” and while their slaves were legally free, the structure of the society remained unchanged – for scores of years afterwards. Even though the physical shackles are gone the mental slavery remains even to this day. This in some ways explains why the day is insignificant to most Barbadians.
The celebration of Emancipation Day, which has gained widespread recognition among most Caribbean nations following the lead of Trinidad and Tobago in 1985, needs to be stepped up. And although it will take time to ensure our people fully embrace the day and understand why it must be celebrated, we must not let it slide into another public holiday – a day of fun and frolic, of drinking some alcoholic beverages, going to the beach and enjoying delicacies.
Unfortunately, our own celebrations today will be generally lost among the Crop Over festivities, with the interest of most people focused on tonight’s Pic-O-De-Crop calypso competition, the various fetes this weekend and the Kadooment jam on Monday.
Sadly, many consider the Emancipation observance the agenda of a few radicals and some politicians. But there must be unity on this matter – even in this society that is heavily divided along political lines. The trade union movement, the churches and various social and community organizations must give full support. There must of necessity be a special role for our historians.
This celebration must not be linked to an event around the Emancipation Statue or the political ruling class. It must not be viewed as an opportunity to enhance anyone’s image. Rather, we must find ways of growing this event nationally.
Emancipation Day celebrations must be embraced by all in Barbados regardless to colour, class or creed. We must have a full grasp of our heritage.