Dear Editor,

Sam Sharpe is worthy of the title national hero, which was richly due to his character and morality. He fought for the freedom of our people as he led the famously known Christmas Rebellion or the “Baptist War”.

Sharpe and our other ancestors held a great strike against their slave masters. They were denied the right to celebrate Christmas in the year of 1831. This uproar took place in the parish of St James. Led by Sharpe, the fierce slaves rose up and decided to fight for their holiday rights. He demonstrated leadership as he was determined to not have his fellow African brothers and sisters work on this holiday. There were over 60,000 who were behind this man’s leadership. He sought to establish morality and justice for black people in a time when we were seen as savages and merely a people without the capability of being equal to other races.

There are lessons to be learnt from Sam Sharpe’s legacy. It is necessary to stand up for justice and righteousness, even when it may feel uncomfortable. Standing up for ethical standards can save a country from falling into deep immorality.

In our society today, our ethics comes from the word of God. This is what our country Jamaica was built upon. Such godly principles include encouraging stable and faithful marriages between one man and one woman. This will enable a strong family structure. Having a father in the home can give children a strong sense of identity and security. Children can actively see the dynamics of a healthy relationship between a man and a woman. This will cause them to grow up into positive citizens that honour and respect themselves, their fellow men, and healthy family life.

There are other issues that plague our society because of the absence of one or both parents in the home. One might view crime as a major issue which is often due to the widespread absence of our fathers and (sometimes) mothers from the home. Let’s strive to bring back a healthy family structure and lifestyle. There are plenty of issues we have as a society, but there is always the hope of a brighter day.

Never give up hope in what our nation could become. Sam Sharpe and other slaves were visionaries. They fought for our freedom of oppression as African people. If they were around today there’s no doubt that they would be proud of how far we’ve come as a nation.

Our National Hero Sam Sharpe once stated: “I would rather die upon yonder gallows than live in slavery.” He was adamant about not staying under the yoke of enslavement. In our time, let us follow in his footsteps by being determined to not walk under the yoke of oppression and sin of any kind as a nation. Let us march towards true success.

As we reflect upon Sam Sharpe’s legacy, let us seek to keep our country Jamaica on the path of righteousness.

Happy Heroes’ Day, Jamaica. Never forget the men and women who fought for our freedom. Let us run our nation’s God-given race with full endurance, laying aside every dead weight that holds us back from fulfilling our true potential.

One love, family. One love, Jamaica.

René Lambert

renepllambert@gmail.com