Simpson-Miller

This Emancipation Day we are celebrating 170 years since the ending of slavery in our country.

What a day of rejoicing it was! That first August morning in 1838, our ancestors laughed, cried, sang and danced in jubilation as they destroyed the cart whips and other instruments of brutality.

But even as we recapture the feeling of release and joy of that first Emancipation Day, we must also consider the unspeakable pain and hardships that our ancestors endured during the period of slavery.

Unless we understand that experience, we cannot appreciate the real significance of emancipation. It is also true that, unless we understand what happened after emancipation, we cannot grasp the lessons of history that are vital for us to learn and use today.

One important lesson is that issues of rights and freedoms need constant attention.

History tells us that the "full free" promised by emancipation did not go unchallenged. Before the ink dried on the paper, the planters began to fight back, using devious methods to stop the newly freed people from becoming independent.

Remembering

Fortunately, our ancestors were determined to make the best possible use of their 'free paper'. And the chain of courage that our national heroes represent shows that throughout our history, our people have stood up for their rights, consistently protecting the gains they made and making strong efforts to move forward.

This is the story of our nation and we can be proud of it.

Today, we need to remember what our ancestors learned. Every freedom gained has to be jealously guarded and protected. If taken for granted, rights and freedoms can easily be eroded or simply taken away.

Freedoms are not static. In every aspect of life, it is the nature of human beings to push constantly, for the expansion of freedom. This is the energy that moves us forward. Rights and freedoms therefore need constant reviewing, fine-tuning and updating.

Upholding the constitution

As we celebrate Emancipation Day, let us honour the struggles and sacrifices of our ancestors with our vigilance in guarding the rights and freedoms that we enjoy today.

In recognition of the great dreams that they could not realise in their lifetime, let us ensure that the Constitution of our land serves its purpose as an instrument of liberation.

Portia Simpson Miller

Leader of the

Opposition