Letter of the Day | Redefine Emancipation and Independence days

THE EDITOR, Madam:

In August 1962, Jamaicans rightly welcomed the end of centuries of colonisation with celebration. The struggle from slavery to self-governance had not been an easy one. National celebrations, in commemoration of the so-called “Emancipation” and “Independence” days, continue to be observed annually, and remain Jamaica’s première national holidays.

But why “so-called”, what’s in a name? Among others, names carry with them psychological and emotional connotations, conscious and unconscious associations, historical identity, vibrational resonance. In other words, what we call something is important.

Each year in August, the nation recalls for its latest generation of children that emancipation and independence were granted by slave masters and colonisers, albeit after great sacrifice and struggle. In handing down the “bestowment” narrative, we not only affirm the authority of the slaver and coloniser to so “bestow” but also appear thankful to those who unlawfully enslaved and colonised our fore parents for allowing our people their freedom and self-governance.

This Stockholm-like syndrome finds itself embedded in our psyche through continuous reinforcement. The yearly orientation decisively negates the universal notion of freedom of peoples as a natural and inherent right by pointing to a specific time when it was bestowed upon Jamaicans, and continues to formalise the now-decried concept of colonisation as a legitimate principle.

Regardless of any valid legal precepts they may represent, naming and celebrating these events as “Emancipation Day” and “Independence Day” aligns the narrative power solely in favour of the slave master and coloniser. For what evokes bondage and oppression more than notions of “emancipation” and “independence”? And what maintains and reinforces ideas of inferiority and unworthiness more than the belief that one’s freedom and independence is ultimately owed to the largesse of a benefactor. It comes as no surprise that some countries have sought to popularise other monikers, “Fourth of July” being a prominent example.

As a people, we should by all means commemorate our victories over repression and our pride in the fight and fortitude of our fore parents. But, let us honour the sacrifices of our people with a voice that shifts the shame to where it belongs and reflects on the rightness of our unwavering struggle for justice. To start, let’s reclaim our narrative and rebut the language of inequality and oppression. Do we teach our children about “Emancipation” day or JUSTICE day, a celebration of our triumph over racial injustice? Do we reject the suppressive ideas associated with “Independence” day for the positive notion of NATION day, our rejoicing of a hard-won fight for restoration of self-governance.

MARCEL BENT

Sandy Bay, Hanover

marcelbent@yahoo.com