"People of African descent have no reason to fail." Those were the words of Arts and Multiculturalism Minister Dr Lincoln Douglas, as he delivered the feature address at the 30th annual Emancipation Dinner hosted by the National Action Cultural Committee, on Thursday evening at the Centre of Excellence in Macoya. He began his address with traditional African drumming and a chant.
Douglas, who quoted expressions from US civil rights leader Martin Luther King and calypsonian Leroy Calliste (Black Stalin), said, "We (African people) can make it if we try just a little harder." He said African people had everything to succeed and should find no reason to fail. Douglas also praised the National Joint Action Committee for keeping the struggle for freedom alive over the years. He said many can celebrate today, but to have remained consistent and committed over the distance and against all odds could have only mean strong faith.
"The price of freedom is eternal diligence. We must celebrate those who kept on fighting so that we can all stand here today as equals," said Douglas. He called on those in authority not to lose the significance of the youth. "We must encourage our young people to take advantage of the many opportunities that are available to them right now. We are blessed with sports, entrepreneurship, education and arts and culture. All this is important for us to make our mark in this world. Take advantage of what is before you."
Douglas said in T&T there still exists self-hate, self-doubt and despair. He said the time had come for African people to permanently free their minds from mental slavery. "Emancipation does not only remind us of freedom from slavery but it must also remind us to rise up to the challenge before us, which is to free our minds from mental slavery. "No matter what they think of you, you cannot fail because you were born to prosper."
