August 2 signals another Emancipation Day, another public holiday for the masses to revel in the carnival season and engage other leisure activities – a few may reflect on what the day is intended. Emphasis on a few if one measures public participation at events arranged to celebrate the day. In her Emancipation Day message Prime Minister implores Bajans to
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The blogmaster is sure the significance of Emancipation Day is lost on the majority of Barbadians. In recent days the commentary swirling in the spaces frequented by the blogmaster centred on the cancellation of Crop Over for a second year running, a break from going to work or attending to an activity unrelated to the purpose of Emancipation Day. A
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Submitted by Mohammed Degia On August 1, 1838, enslaved people across the British Caribbean gained their freedom. Contrary to what is often peddled about the singular role of abolitionists in ending transatlantic slavery, there were two main reasons for abolition- economic and rebellions. The British did not in some great moralistic and ethical wave bestow freedom upon the enslaved. The
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Barbadians join former colonies to celebrate Emancipation Day on August 1. There can be no disagreement the Black race had to endure a form of slavery that to this day weighs heavy on the conscience of world citizens. Some will engage in a spurious rebuttal that the immoral act of chattel slavery practiced on Black people should be distilled using
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Submitted by Peter Thompson It is August 1st, Emancipation Day across much of the formerly British Caribbean. It commemorates the Slavery Abolition Act (1833), which legislated the end of slavery in the British Empire in August, 1834. Here in Jamaica it is part of a week of parades and parties leading up to Independence Day on August 6th. In Barbados
Read moreSubmitted by the Mahogany Coconut Think Tank and Watchdog Group “The same way no Jews will overlook the atrocities inflicted by the Nazis, Barbadians must never overlook the significance of Emancipation Day. Indeed, for us it must be seen as even more important than the observance of political independence.” Daily Nation (Barbados) Friday August 1st. 2014 Sometimes words are just
Read moreSubmitted by the Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC) The GTUC shares with the world and more so Guyanese the celebration of 1st August which 180th years ago brought an end to chattel slavery in the British Empire. Full emancipation came four years later after the slaves served a four-year period of amelioration (1838). Freedom in its present form is a
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Barbados Underground 