EDITORIAL: More Barbadians need to observe Emancipation Day

ASK Barbadians how they plan to celebrate Emancipation Day and you can be certain that the majority will admit that they do not give much thought to the day. Ask them however, what is on the cards for Kadooment Day and you can sit back and listen to the full range of answers they will likely give. Many will likely say that they are looking forward to Grand Kadooment, a day where they can let their hair down and fete to the max.

Now whilst Grand Kadooment is indeed a time for revelry and enjoyment, we as a people should also seek to recognise Emancipation Day. The Day should be regarded in a more significant fashion, as opposed to the laissez-faire approach that is currently taken by some Barbadians. At present, it seems that while great focus is placed on heritage and culture generally in Barbados, on Emancipation Day, only the few who actively participate in the day’s activities are willing to reflect on the concept of emancipation itself and what it should mean to a once enslaved people. Some see it as boring and unnecessary and simply do not get involved. However, Barbadians should be encouraged to celebrate the day with a little more fanfare.

It appears that a little more planning has been given to Emancipation Day and its activities this year however, and kudos goes out to the planners for that. Word is that the Pan-African Coalition of Organisations, in association with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, will host the Bongani Festival in commemoration of Emancipation Day. The event, which takes place today, Tuesday, August 1, will start with a Freedom Walk from the Emancipation Statue at the JTC Ramsay Roundabout, Haggatt Hall, St. Michael. Following libations and ceremonial ancestral reverence, the walk will proceed from the Emancipation Statue and will travel through a number of local communities for the official ceremony. Apart from the addresses to be made by government and diplomatic officials and representatives of the Pan-African organisations, it has been noted that an “Emancipation Village” will be established with persons selling craft, jewellery, clothing, literature, drinks, and local and African food. Patrons will also be treated to holistic healing arts such as yoga and reiki, as well as information booths on the various Pan-African organisations. Entertainment in the forms of dance, drum, spoken word and song will also be featured during the day’s events.

While we are sure that the attendance at the Emancipation Day event will be commendable, we need to see more Barbadians supporting these events. Whilst we are not looking for the numbers as seen at Grand Kadooment, which signals the end of the Crop Over season, more can be done to teach the younger generation especially, about the significance of Emancipation Day and why it is celebrated as a holiday.

That said, as we are into the month of August and the Crop Over festivities are beginning to wind down, the issue of safety and security, in relation to the remaining events, certainly come to mind. The Royal Barbados Police Force (RBPF) will no doubt have its hands full as the weekend approaches, leading up to Grand Kadooment. Nevertheless, the RBPF seems up to the task. That said, we truly do wish that all safety measures and plans put in place will indeed be successful and we hope that there will be no negative occurrences to mar Emancipation Day and in general, the close of the 2017 Crop Over Festival.