Build on the patrimony of Emancipation and Independence
FESTIVITIES ARE important to highlight our annual emancipation and independence commemoration. However, the freedom we cherish and our claimed responsibility for self determination through self governance require that we make our individual contribution to build on and safeguard the values that will advance our nation’s development. Hence, each Jamaican must be personally committed to improving a status quo that suppresses national development.
Our Emancipation and Independence are acts associated with the providence of God to free people from dehumanising and unjust situations. God is always working to free creation from the consequences of the devil’s envy, and the disobedience of Adam and Eve, that subjected creation to the forms of sin and evil that undermine human dignity.
As God inspired Moses to liberate Israel from Egyptian slavery, God also inspired liberators in the Caribbean: Cudjoe for the 1690 Maroon Rebellion, Clarendon Jamaica; Prince Klaas for the 1736 Antigua slave rebellion; Tacky for the 1760 war with the British in Jamaica; Cuffy and Akara for the 1763-64 Berbice Guyana rebellion; Blackwell and Kwame for the 1765 Port Maria Jamaica revolt; leaders of the 1791 Haitian Revolution; Bussa for the 1816 Barbados Rebellion; Quamina and Jack Gladstone (father and son) for the 1823 Demerara Guyana Rebellion; Sam Sharpe for the 1831-32 Emancipation Rebellion, Jamaica; and Alexander Bustamante and Norman Manley’s political campaign for Jamaica’s Independence.
Who of our present time is willing to be an instrument of God to build on the sacrifice of those gone before so that accountability and integrity will diminish the acceptability of corruption as part of the “running” in our nation? Can there be a greater commitment to ensure that the basics for social existence are justly accessible and sustainable to reduce poverty, crime, and violence? Such commitment will require faithfulness to act in the interest of others as Jesus Christ taught in order to build on the sacrifice, patriotism, and nobility of our ancestors.
COMMIT TO PARTICIPATE
The greatness and character of our people past and present celebrated at Emancipation and Independence makes a demand on each Jamaican citizen to personally commit to participating in the ongoing development and advancement of our people and nation. Do not defer this responsibility to another! Therefore, with the National Pledge, declare: Jamaica land of beauty, We promise faithfully
To serve thee with our talents and bring our gifts to thee
Jamaica, we will always in honour of thy name
Work steadfastly and wisely and never bring thee shame
From riverside to mountain from cane field to the sea
Our hearts salute Jamaica, Triumphant, proud and free, Together in our country,
In love and brotherhood We’ll work and play in freedom, As all God’s children should. With hearts and hands united, In thanks for everything That God has giv’n unto us, Together let us sing.
From riverside to mountain from cane-field to the sea
Our hearts salute Jamaica, Triumphant, proud and free.