The Editor, Sir:

As we celebrate Emancipation Day and look forward to Independence Day on Monday, August 6, two questions continue to resonate: Are we truly a free people? And, what does being independent mean to us as a nation? To effectively answer these questions, there must be some level of awareness of what we were emancipated/freed from and why our fathers sought and gained independence from our colonial masters.

Over the years, these events have become so holiday-oriented that persons have really forgotten or are ignorant of their real significance. There are many persons who are really not interested in emancipation as it relates to what our forefathers went through and there are somewho believe that they would have been better off if the umbilical cords to Britain were not ruptured.

Many Jamaicans live in an independent, emancipated country but they are far from been free or independent. We only need to be in an election year and the psychological shackles reappear. The 'puppet-on-a-string' mentality becomes so alive that some political leaders as 'bucky master' personified, really tug onto the strings of some of the electorate who will do anything without critically analysing the implications. They are told who to vote for, and they vote not knowing why they do so.

Maybe we are emancipated and independent in all spheres save political. But can we say we are truly free and independent until we are able to critically analyze the political process and move from the situation where we are garrisoned because of our 'die-hearted' position.

Forty five years of independence is more than enough time to correct the political dependence and slavery that continue to permeate our society. We need to move forward and claim the independence that our founders have fought so assiduously for.

I am, etc.,

PAT BIGNALL

wilbig@cwjamaica.com