The history of the New World since Columbus re-discovered it is one of conquest, pillage, exploitation and forced migration of a people. For more than three centuries millions of people were forcibly transported from their homes in Africa, across the perilous Atlantic Ocean to the New World, where they were forced to labour on plantations for the rest of their lives.
This enslavement of a people continued until events in Europe changed the fortunes of the West Indian and North American colonies. Humanitarians started questioning the validity of slavery, there was competition from beet sugar producers in Europe, and the advent of the Industrial Revolution spawned the rise of a new group of influential men in the British Parliament who believed that slavery was no longer economically viable.
In 1833 Thomas Buxton, an English MP, brewer, abolitionist and social reformer presented the Emancipation Bill in Parliament. The act was passed and came into effect on August 1, 1834. On that day, thousands of slaves in the British West Indies became free from slavery.
On August 1, 1985, T&T became the first country in the world to declare a national holiday (Emancipation Day) to commemorate the abolition of slavery.
Today however, as we approach our 53rd anniversary as an independent nation (coincidentally on this day 39 years ago we became a Republic), we as working class people are still in bondage. We are still struggling to emancipate ourselves from political and economic slavery.
Nelson Mandela said, "I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter. I have made missteps along the way but I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can only rest for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not ended."
Also reflect on the words of Marcus Mosiah Garvey:
"We must give up the silly idea of folding our hands and waiting on God to do everything for us. If God had intended for that, then he would not have given us a mind. Whatever you want in life, you must make up your mind to do it for yourself. Let no religious scruples, no political machination divide us....... We are arbiters of our own destiny. God and nature first made us what we are, and then out of our own creative genius we make ourselves what we want to be. Follow always that great law."
So as working class people, let us strive to unite; create and support our own political vehicle to free us from the vicious cycle of dependence imposed on us. Only then would we be really able to appreciate the benefits of emancipation.
Bryan St Louis
Via email