The Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago Dr. Keith Rowley has called for a “general understanding of the African condition” urging citizens to go beyond Emancipation Day celebrations to reflect on the various issues facing the twin island republic.
“Go beyond the celebrations to reflect on the wave of violence in our communities; think about the African family, ask yourself if we are good listeners to our children; for example, are we telling them that success comes from discipline, effort, patience, frugality, prudence and inner peace; that sharing is care and that there are opportunities in crises and lessons in disasters?
“Are we encouraging them to be independent-minded, ambitious, respectful and entrepreneurial with a ‘get ahead’ mentality, rather than ‘make it’ and ‘do well’?” As parents, are we involved in their schoolwork and entertainment, every evening, in their school activities and are we making our voices heard in the education system and on all matters of patriotism?”
Rowley urged the nation to “never forget” its history and “seek to heal, remembering that only the strong forgive, never the weak.
“Most importantly, as Africans, we must move forward, remembering that this is a multicultural land, with a narrative of inclusiveness and equality for all, with national watchwords of discipline, production and tolerance.”
He said that Emancipation Day is being celebrated at a most difficult moment in the natural history of the world. “Around the world we are experiencing some extremely destructive weather patterns; fires, with thousands of hectares uncontrolled in California and other states in North America, across the Atlantic in Spain, Greece and Portugal, with unprecedented heat waves across Europe, drought in Australia, in contrast with severe flooding in parts various other parts of the world — the effects of which must be seen, by all citizens, not in the short term, but on a long-term planetary scale.
“I bring this to the attention of the national and wider Caribbean community as a reminder and a call to further vigilance, in the same way, that calls are being made for national attention to be given to a new wave of irrational . violence across this country and for further examination of our security systems, our judiciary, our education system and family life – all of which significantly affect the experience of the African community today.”
He said that recently, he suggested that violence be considered a national public health emergency and that he has already established a team of policymakers who, he expects, during their deliberations and, moreover, in the conclusions and recommendations of them, will excite them. community discussions, between all groups across the country, from the bottom up.
Rowley said on the plantations of the new world, they suffered whipping until the skin fell off, laboring in the fields as beasts of burden daily, denied food and water, raping their wives and separating their children; in general, their treatment was worse than livestock.
“Then there were the psycho-social efforts in their minds to destroy their culture, their connections and their religion, which sought to remove every aspect of their African soul.
“Today, as we remember one of humanity’s darkest events, we acknowledge the strength of a people to overcome what can only be described as grave evil to become an invaluable pillar of courage as well as enrichment for our global community.
In her message to mark the occasion, Opposition Leader Kamla Persad Bissessar said the day is not only a special day for “our brothers and sisters of African heritage, as it serves as a reminder of proud achievements and lasting legacy of those of African descent who continue to do in our nation post-emancipation.
“Today we honor, thank and celebrate the courage of a people to rise from injustice and humanity’s greatest crime to become the cornerstones of our society,” she said, adding that the party she leads ” will always seek to honor the legacy of those Africans who fought for liberation by continuing to help make Trinidad and Tobago a place where opportunity, progress and social mobility are open to all, not a select few”.
CMC/
