Dr David Hinds of the Working People’s Alliance on Friday urged members of the public to renew their emancipation and push for equality of all Guyanese regardless of race, class or gender.
Speaking at an Emancipation ceremony at the Ministry of Culture, on Main Street, Hinds said Guyanese were not emancipated under the People’s Progressive Party (PPP). The party has been accused of bullying and using scare tactics against opponents of its government and Hinds said that Guyanese used their minds and fingers to emancipate themselves from its rule.
He added that emancipation should be a moment of celebration. “I would talk briefly on the significance of emancipation, the first significance is that it brought an end to the most inhumane project that mankind has ever witnessed,” Hinds declared, “After a dark moment has passed in our history, there is a need to celebrate and that is the overcoming of slavery.”
Hinds said that we do not pay enough attention to those who refused to be kept in chains. He said after slavery ended, slaves burst onto the stage and bought land, while setting up schools. He said the world was slowly transformed from slavery to a world of civilisation. Hinds said such commitment and motivation was almost miracle.
The ceremony started out with a libation that was done by Bishop Andrew Irving. The libation is a ritualistic ceremony to honour persons’ ancestors and the members who contributed to Guyana in a meaningful way. Ritualistic songs were sung during the libation and intense drumming was done, while a circle of cornmeal was placed on the ground to signify the building of the nation.
