'We must never forget the sacrifice made'
AUGUST 1, 1838 was the dawn of a new Jamaica. It represented victory and liberation for our people and an opportunity for them to carve out an acceptable lifestyle for themselves. This freedom had not come easy and much more work had to be done and sacrifices made before we received true independence.
Therefore, we must never forget the sacrifices made by our forefathers.
I urge this and future generations not to ignore the history of the struggles and suffering of our people. Our research scholars must work on this subject matter. Our school curriculum must encourage academic pursuit. Altogether, we must make an effort to understand and appreciate the social evolution that has taken place and be aware of the privileged position in which we now live.
We must guard this freedom with our very beings and make the best use of the opportunities and advantages that we have today.
Our ancestors' freedom was a sacred possession to them. Liberty and democracy came at a very high price. Let us always show our respect for their experiences.
Let us use the characteristics of Nanny and Sam Sharpe, our two national Heroes who arose out of the period leading up to emancipation -- sound leadership, regard for each other, love for our people, uncompromising personal integrity, service above self, as well as unity and strength for just causes to continue building the vision that our people had for this country, on that August
morning in 1838.
Governor-General
Sir Howard Cooke
.JPG)
'We owe to ourselves and to our history'
ONCE AGAIN we are all commemorating Emancipation Day, the sixth year since its return to our national calendar.
It allows us to celebrate hard won freedoms and to cherish the rights which many now take for granted in the social, economic and political spheres.
But it also emphasises the fact that all the injustices of 300 years could not be redressed by the stroke of a pen, and that emancipation was in fact the start of a process, which must continue in new forms even today.
The commitment of this Administration to a Charter of Fundamental Rights entrenched in the Constitution and the removal of the final vestiges of colonialism, are all steps being taken to further the process of Emancipation for our people.
The movement away from a monarchical to a republican system of Government continues apace. Advancing the process of Caribbean economic integration forms a critical part of completing the mission of Emancipation.
It is a debt that we owe to ourselves and to our history. We cannot afford to squander our inheritance.
In light of this legacy, the theme of this year's commemoration is fitting: "Reflections on our past Our guide to the future."
There still remains much to be done to guarantee a safe and prosperous future for every citizen. Let us be guided by the example of our ancestors in their struggle for freedom, and unite to build a secure future for generations of Jamaicans to come.
May the spirit of our forebears never cease to light our paths, and may we continue to safeguard and cherish the freedoms they bequeathed to us.
Prime Minister
P.J. Patterson
'Full free from the burden of ignorance'
IN MANY respects, emancipation is a starting point in our history. Most noteworthy, freedom for the majority of Jamaicans began at that point, 165 years ago. Judging by the long period of adjustment since then, a great deal should have happened to improve the lives of those emancipated. The truth is that while this has been true of a minority who have managed to climb the ladder of social and economic success, the vast majority have been left behind.
For a long time after emancipation an islandwide primary school system was not in place, except for some schools built by religious denominations. In the late 1800s, a bequest from Lady Mico, provided the funds from which a very large number of primary schools were built putting education on a much wider basis.
Notwithstanding the impact of these last few decades, the historic weakness of the education system is still manifesting itself in the shocking result of school leaving exams where more than 7 of every 10 graduates today achieve no passes at all. This tells us that far more effort is required to make up for the neglect of the past so that we can credibly say to the children of today, in the words of Bob Marley, "Emancipate yourself from mental slavery".
No one can truly be "full free" until they are emancipated from ignorance.
As we commemorate this Emancipation Day let us ponder these realities and think of the challenge of the future to achieve full emancipation of the mind and full freedom for the people.
Opposition Leader
Edward Seaga
