[dropcap]O[/dropcap]n the evening of Monday, July 30, I was a guest on Kari FM-radio’s “Reflections”. After a brief survey and discussion of the previous 30 days, the host introduced the subject of Emancipation Day. He opined that the day had been changed from the first Monday in August to the first day of August by a former enthusiastic Minister of Culture some twenty or so years ago. Should Emancipation Day be returned to the first Monday in August? That was the question the host put to me. The argument for reverting to the first Monday in August is persuasive. August 1 can fall on a Wednesday, as recently happened and disrupt the working week. On the other hand, the first Monday is predictable, and affords a longer weekend for individuals, families and organisations to better celebrate Emancipation Day.
I offered the advice that one must first discover why a gate was built before one proceeds to remove or destroy it. In other words, why was Emancipation Day originally observed on the first Monday of August and then changed? Politicians open themselves to criticisms when they proceed to change willy-nilly the things that have stood the test of time—especially when it is obvious such individuals know little about our history.
Before we can set our minds on what ought to be done to mark the next Emancipation Day, we first need to settle on an appropriate and acceptable day to mark its observance. The government ought to appoint a committee of five qualified individuals to advise on a day and an agenda for the observance of future Emancipation Day activities. I humbly offer three ideas: first, the observance should be no more than one week’s duration. If spread too thinly, it loses its meaning as it competes with other national pursuits. Secondly, the entire week should be underpinned by education: sharing information. It should emphasize our people’s struggles over the last 200 years, that have taken us where we are today. Thirdly, it should include an in-depth report and discussions on reparations. Should reparations seek to arouse the Caribbean masses and force their governments to unite and demand United Nations-sponsored negotiations between countries that participated in the slave trade and slavery on one hand, and the descendants of former African slaves on the other?
From where I stand, wisdom and knowledge ought to underpin every thought and action to be pursued by the descendants of former African slaves. Collective people-power must guide the actions of governments in that regard. Experience teaches us that when people unite in a common cause, the outcome of their demands is more likely to be met than when politicians are allowed a free hand to act as they please. The question that remains is: Who shall lead the people to demand reparations from Europe?
Politicians tend to become quite animated whenever citizens unite for a worthy purpose. For example, if people come together to fix a pot-holed road, a politician will quickly jump in to help finish the job, especially if he is likely to be on the evening news. The mindset of the average citizen ought therefore to be “Forget the politician; let’s help ourselves wherever we can.” Such a decision should come easily to those who live by the precept that God helps only those who help themselves. It makes little sense standing aside and criticizing. That’s what losers do. Success-oriented people, whether descendants of former slaves, or children of indentured labourers, or whether they are from the black coal pits of Pittsburg and Virginia, have one thing in common: they are hardworking and do not depend on handouts.
If we are to make emancipation or reparations work for us, we ought first to know and accept our history for what it is. Then we ought to grab the present by the scruff of the neck and set aside retarding thoughts, abandon debilitating drugs and alcohol, and resolve to be at the forefront of a well thought out programme for Emancipation Day observances next August.
Who will lead Emancipation Day and Reparations in Saint Lucia? The question of leadership has always been difficult because leadership skills are not taught in homes or in schools. Perhaps leadership is a gift from God that cannot be taught. Obedience, which is taught to Saint Lucian children at home and school, is often mistaken for submissiveness. It’s difficult to develop true leadership qualities from an environment of learned submissiveness. Children ought to be encouraged from an early age to ask questions. They should know early in life that there are no foolish questions—only foolish answers, of which we’ve had far too many from self-absorbed, self-promoted “best brains”!
