THE EDITOR, Sir:
OVER THE last several days I have been reading in our newspapers various persons' opinions on the Redemption Song statue, opinions on the opinions as stated by columnists, editors, contributors and readers alike.
I have not personally heard the radio discussions but have heard of them and one thing strikes me after nine days of its presence at the Emancipation Park is how many persons have now made a personal commitment to searchng and finding out more about our past, sharing with our children. How many now will visit the Institute of Jamaica for more information or the National Library? How many of us Jamaicans have in our possession Redemption Song by Bob Marley and have decided to listen to the words, for real this time? Or have even one book on the writings of Marcus Garvey? I daresay that any historical literature referred to in defence of or support of the commissioned artefact is at best someone else's opinion. Remember the 40 spies sent out by Joshua?
I have personally voiced my opinions in other fora so feel no need to divulge it here - but what I will do is some imagining.
Man has always been fascinated by time travel so through the power of the time machine 'a la TERMINATOR, two newly freed slaves , male and female, 1st August 1838 are transmitted to Emancipation Park 2003. This is in the wee hours of the morning when all the viewing public have long gone they see the statues: "Lawd 'ave mersi - ah neva t'ink I'da see de day! Look pon de two statue dem dat look jus like wi - Agustus - look!" Agustus replies "Miss Mirrie Lou, a see what wi get free foh - statues dat look jus like wi, so dat wi people noh feget - it noh have no iron burn mark pon wi foot and han', no chain noh shackle, it look like freedom fi true."
Miss Mirrie Lou remarks in great awe: "But we did onlge use fi see big statue what look like de Bucki Massa statue dem. Di ongle pickcha what mi use to see of wi is when mi ah clean Backra book dem, an' dem 'ave chain pon we!" Augustus and Mirrie Lou circle the statue - Miss Mirrie still looking in awe notices the engravings on the base of the area supporting the mounted statues, "Lawd - whole 'eap o writing deh pon di bottom but ah cyaan even read it what it seh".
"Den what a way de man look like Mass John bwoy Sonson, what did run weh and get himself drownded laas year - lawd 'im jus' coulden tek the bondage no more - but dis come in like a redemption fi im, a resurrection - 'im woulda feel good fi si dis - 'im neva ded in vain", Agustus remarks as he peers even more closely at he the female figure. " You know dis look like mi moddah when she was a young girl, same way soh dem she har hair did stay - bwoy a wondah a who do dis?"
Mirrie Lou replies "Agustus, matters not who decide fi mek dese statue of us and put dis up but one thing is true is a new change to all de bucki massa statue dem pon horse, wid de rifle an' sword, and ina dem ten-piece cravat and coat and tails - I see no fear like when we deh pon de auction block, no burdens, I see no pain, just rising and more rising. Mi see pride and strength."
The two continue to view the artwork and retreated to sanctuary of their own minds to marvel at the sight they came to see in their future, our present.
What would the former slave owners, abolitionists and people in Colonial Britain say about these statues in 1838 teleported through time to 2003 ?
I invite all to do some imaginings of their own.
I am, etc
TOTLYN OLIVER
Kingston 6
(P.S.: A good read is Slave Women in Caribbean Society 1650-1838 - Barbara Bush).
