The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy joins in the fitting commemoration of Emancipation Day across Jamaica, the wider Caribbean, and nations on the African continent.

“This day of great historical significance commemorates the end of an era of unimaginable suffering and the dawn of freedom for our ancestors, who endured the brutalities of the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement,” asserted the Statesman in Residence P J Patterson.

Moreover, “Our celebration must be accompanied by the specific acknowledgement and rejection of the residual aspects of slavery, colonialism, the exploitation and the oppression of black people and nations the world over.”

After 190 years of the Emancipation Proclamation, remnants of colonisation persist through continued anti-black racism despite repeated calls by the international community to end racism against all peoples in all lands. Instead of being dismantled, the inequities in the international political economy are evidently more deeply entrenched. The plundering of Africa and within the Americas must be disbanded and not endlessly perpetuated to build a world where peace and equality prevail.

During this memorable commemoration, we should never forget that our journey towards liberation was ignited by the unyielding spirit of our forebears, a spirit manifested by the Haitian Revolution. For it was in 1791 that enslaved Africans in Haiti rebelled against the mighty army of Napoleon Bonaparte to lead the first successful slave revolt in the region and assert their right to freedom.

Today we cannot fail to condemn the external barriers and burdens imposed on the political architecture of Haiti, which have served to engender and perpetuate poverty, misery, and social degradation in that nation.

In this critical period of desperate need, the response of Caricom and the crucial support of Kenya in restoring the essential ingredients for the workings of an effective democracy are important for fulfilling the dreams of those first brave Haitian revolutionaries.

This expression of solidarity is timely and instructive in underlining the value of a strong fraternity of African descendants and nations coming together to establish unity across Africa, Haiti, and the broader African Diaspora.

The P J Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy believes that the entire international community, the United States, and France have a duty and obligation to ensure that we all work together so that Haitians can enjoy real prosperity and true humanity as a sovereign nation.

As we commemorate Emancipation Day, let us honour the legacy of those who fought for our liberty. From the resilience of all indigenous communities and palenques to the relentless advocacy of freedom fighters and abolitionists, our history is undoubtedly a tapestry woven with courage, sacrifice, and unyielding determination. Their struggle laid the foundation for our continued pursuit of justice, equality, and empowerment. It must be emphasised that the fight for liberation extends beyond physical freedom; it encompasses the socio-economic, political, and cultural dimensions of our existence. At the centre of this must be the vociferous fight for reparatory justice and the demand for equality and true sovereignty for nations affected by the scourge of chattel enslavement and colonialism.

Freedom from subjugation also opened the possibility for blacks, indigenous tribes, and other peoples who were brought here forcibly to celebrate true individual autonomy, assert self, accept individual identity, and exercise agency. We can celebrate the achievements since the abolition of chattel enslavement and colonial rule. We have made some progress over the years in different areas, especially in education, economic growth, trade, and development. The bonds that have been built after centuries of forced displacement and subjugation need to be strengthened to create greater rewards from total solidarity and cooperation.

As we, as independent nations, reflect on freedom from the scourges of slavery and colonialism, we must continue to learn about who we are to be able to chart a brighter future for generations to come. There is a need to ensure ongoing acknowledgement of our rich heritage and of how we can draw on our shared history and cultural legacy to provide cohesion and unity in our struggles. We must continue to reject and fight racism, self-hate, and mental slavery, all of which have persisted as a result of the continued discourse that helped to bolster slavery and colonialism.

Our efforts must involve a united front, comprising the African continent, the Caribbean, Latin America, and the entire African Diaspora. As sovereign nations, we must join forces to confront the obstacles that continue to impede our achievement of true emancipation. “Emancipation is not just a historical milestone, it is a living, breathing aspiration. It is a reminder that our heritage is one of resilience, strength, and an unbreakable will to be free,” stated the former prime minister.

Increasingly, the efforts of historians, scholars and authors, the Church, and universities have concretised our uncompromising claims for reparative justice and money for reparation and have now permitted a wider embrace of nations within the Commonwealth.

In consonance with this spirit of unity and solidarity that is indispensable in the ongoing pursuit of freedom, we note with satisfaction that the upcoming summit of the Commonwealth Heads of Government in Samoa has included the matter of reparatory justice on its agenda. Indeed, the firm support by leaders in Africa, the Caribbean, and the wider Commonwealth has the potential to accelerate the process of implementation and to ensure the success of the project on the global stage. This unique family of nations can place the spotlight on the search for justice at last.

May this Emancipation Day become an indelible milestone for the freedom of transgressors and victims alike to reflect our common humanity. May we continue to honour our past, celebrate our present, and shape a future that truly reflects the ideals of liberty, justice, and equality for all.

The PJ Patterson Institute for Africa-Caribbean Advocacy at The University of the West Indies works to advance the economic, social, and cultural development of Africa, the Caribbean, and the Diaspora.