Africa, General T&T, Race and Identity, Racism Watch

Kamla Persad Bissessar’s Emancipation Day Statement

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By Kamla Persad Bissessar
Opposition Leader and Leader of the UNC Party
August 01, 2021 – Facebook

Kamla Persad-BissessarToday our nation celebrates Emancipation Day, a day that marks the abolition of the vile practice of chattel slavery. It is a day for both celebration of the liberation of enslaved Africans and an opportunity to reflect on, and learn from, the lessons of this dark period in our history.

The enslavement of Africans throughout the Caribbean and the Americas, via the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade, is perhaps the greatest crime against humanity in the history of mankind.

Though this part of our history is difficult and painful, it is important that younger generations are made aware of the unspeakable horrors of slavery that thousands who were captured and brought to this country were forced to endure.

Even as we reflect on the atrocities imposed upon enslaved Africans, we also see a people who refused to be defeated. A people who would never stop fighting for the freedom that was their birthright. It is the history of a proud African culture whose spirit could not be shackled or broken. It is the history of an emancipated people forging a new nation in the fires of hope and prayer to chart their own destiny.

It is those qualities of fierce determination to remain unyielding in the face of unspeakable oppression that we must replicate today as we face the massive burdens caused by the Pandemic.

Today the descendants of Africans have contributed significantly to national development and on this special day, it is important that we recognize and appreciate their outstanding contributions.

As we mark the 187th anniversary of the coming into effect of the Emancipation Proclamation, I join the nation in celebrating the incredible journey of our African brothers and sisters, drawing inspiration from the courageous fight for emancipation, and the freedoms which we are all able to enjoy today.

We join in unison to celebrate and pay our respects to those who fought for liberation, and in the immortal words of Dr Martin Luther King Jr we say resoundingly “Free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we’re free at last.”

https://www.facebook.com/KamlaPersadBissessar/posts/10159499093559798

6 thoughts on “Kamla Persad Bissessar’s Emancipation Day Statement”

  1. What about reparations for this dreadful deal by the Brits.
    I would suggest all the lands handed over a payment for enslavement be given back to all of Trinidad

    1. Here we go… this person wants to give lands as payment for african enslavement to “all” (ethnic groups). Jerry Hussain’s entire career’s earnings and posessions should be donated to T&T.

  5. “Today the descendants of Africans have contributed significantly to national development and on this special day, it is important that we recognize and appreciate their outstanding contributions.”
    Well thought out speech that embraces the achievements of those whose ancestors came with nothing to Trinidad. Through the years the goodness and fat of this nation they have savoured as the chosen race. 75% of government jobs, housing, and all that Trinidad can offered they have dined sumptuously. Over 80% of the army, coast guard, and about 60% of the police force the favoured sons and daughters have enjoyed and continue to do so.

    The former PM KPB gave government employees 25% pay raise during her 5 year term of office. Her government gave these government employees first preference for government housing. She also had allocated $500 for young women unemployed with babies to feed. She gave out free laptops young African children benefitted from this. The sea bridge was working with a high degree of efficiency. Tobagonians had no reason to complain. She gave the Baptist their first school and even a holiday, (they choose Keith for PM).

    Africans benefitted the most under Kamla. She stood strong for them with schools, housing and kept unemployment at the incredible 3.5%. Unaccustomed to such love the Africanas vote for Rowley.

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