Emancipation and its celebration

THE EDITOR, Sir:

MY ARTICLE 'Emancipation Day' (Gleaner, Tuesday, August 14, 2001) seems to have hit an uncalculated target. I hope there are no casualties. "It is irksome" as Mr. R. Anthony Lewis would have us believe in his letter to the Editor (Gleaner, Thursday August 16, 2001).

At no point in my article did I not agree with Emancipation, my position is quite clear, small point though, but I think Mr. Lewis would have this under control.

For those who have not yet read my article please do so now, after which, treat yourself to Mr. Lewis' humour.

Admittedly, Mr. Lewis is quite correct in reckoning that my article has to do with more than the loss of a day's production and xenophobia.

Given the fact that he is living in cool, rich cohesive Quebec, Canada, it is extremely difficult for him to identify with the peculiarities of "Emancipation Day celebrations" in poor hot tribal Jamaica. Furthermore, I assume that he would feel cheated had he not responded to his favourite subject "Emancipation."

I took issue with 'Emancipation day celebrations in Jamaica', while Mr. Lewis has found it convenient to respond to "Emancipation", two completely different issues.

I am, etc.,

ANTHONY WOODBURN

Businessman

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