Believe me friends: it is not laziness that drove me to recycle most of the following sentiments which were first penned in this column four years ago.
I do believe they are still evergreen and provocatively valid as an initial contribution to this 2017 Black History/African Heritage Month. Because thoughts and sentiments relative to human liberty; to freedom of mind, spirit and body, are ever-present, significant and vital to humanity’s very acceptable existence. The USA, after emerging from the darkness of racist slavery, loves to boast about its embrace of rights and freedoms. With some earned, evidential credit and validity. In Guyana, there did emerge, along with so-called “Independence,” disastrous elements of political repression wherein dissent, opposition protest were frowned upon and harshly dealt with. Yet we can claim a proud history of rebellion against oppression inclusive of that ultimate repression – slavery.
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Similar spirits, Kofi, Jefferson
It was just a mere thirteen years! Yes, just over a decade after Kofi’s year-long defiance against the Berbician Dutch slave-masters in 1763, that the American colonials “rebelliously” declared their own break-away and independence from the haughty British. Two yearnings, two diverse locations continents away, but mankind’s innate quest for freedom from ownership and oppression was demonstrated in both places – in 1763 and 1776.
The natural desire of the spirit to be free much more than the element of White racism. The new Americans rebelled against fellow Caucasians even though, later an African-American slave would be regarded as being merely three-fifths of a human being and in Berbice it was Africans against Europeans. But a similar struggle for liberty and dignity was the motivation.
Thomas Jefferson was a premier pioneer American Freedom Fighter. He influenced his fellow-congressmen to submit a then revolutionary resolution: “That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown; and that all political connections between them and the State of Great Britain is and ought to be totally dissolved.”
Jefferson’s declaration initiated the colonists’ eventually-successful rebellion against Britain’s King George III and the English. The language in the Declaration was/is both boldly beautiful and assertive: the King’s “Absolute tyranny”; “the right of a people to alter and abolish destructive governments…” as a justification for revolution. It will be recalled that those American rebels were all deemed patriots. (Today’s “nationalists” and “populists”?)
Then there was/is the now globally-accepted philosophy of governance and the inspirational standard for all people still in some form of bondage or still routinely marginalized – that “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness”.
So I can ask again: were these not the same sentiments, the same objectives pursued by Kofi and his fellow-freedom fighters Atta, Cosala, Akara, Accabreh and Gousarri during the Rebellion of 1763? And before he was undermined then outfoxed here is what he wrote – like the warrior-statesman he aspired to be – to his opposing overlord, Dutch governor Van Hoogenheim.
”I have also learned from your honour that (you) the Lord Governor is not the cause of this war, but this we know… planters and directors are the cause of this war, as they have severely mistreated the people and have treated them to floggings and whippings beyond tolerable limits. We could not bear that any longer as we do know that God is God who rewards good and punishes evil.”
Kofi the house slave rebel leader was to dictate many messages and correspondence to the wily Dutch governor, who, under the stress of some sporadic defeats, managed to protract the communications until he was strong enough to triumph against Kofi’s eventual internal failings. (It is noteworthy that like today’s American President Trump, Kofi was interested in negotiating with Van Hoogenheim towards a mutual settlement or “deal” . Even suggesting the peaceful partition of Berbice during the conflict.
Shame, concession, Lincoln
Over in independent U.S.A, it took decades after 1776 and President Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865) to attend to the abolition of slavery. A Republican Abe Lincoln would attract and has attracted volumes about his life and presidency. After his own famous declaration that “all men are created equal…” he, himself had to be influenced by William Whipple who owned one African slave to free all his own slaves. For he couldn’t abolish American slavery while unconscionably owing slaves.
This is an appropriate month to consider such matters. As I did four years ago, I suggest that the Department of Culture arrange lectures on 1763, produce re-enactments of the Rebellion and appropriate memorabilia and spearhead site visits to the Rebellion’s location, including heritage trails. (Anyone reading this? Listening?)
White racism One reason?
Perceptively light-hearted but dead serious! That’s my A.A Fenty Theory explaining why Caucasian Americans and Europeans -even anti-Jewish Adolph Hitler at one level were/are so racist against Africans. Here it is: it is because Caucasians resent and try to reject the Anthropological and Genealogical fact that in the beginning, they (we) are all descended from the land of Africa!
It was tough to accept what their own researchers discovered. That all mankind -the Roman and Chinese Emperor, the British Queen, the Indian and Pakistani Leaders, all Amerindians -have African Ancestors! So “White” people tend (ed) to reject then hate their “Black” Origins. Result? Race Hate! Discuss…
Ponder, until…
In our Guyana it is so easy for the Parking Meter P.R Advisors to make the issue political.
Is the word “Africa” an African word?
Careful APNU/AFC/PNC/WPA (?). You and your City Council (GT) are seemingly intimidating too many business people with your policies.
What does the President think of Mashramani?
Who gets to construct garaged parking for Georgetown? And the Co-op Bank Vendors Mall?
`Til next week!
(allanafenty@yahoo.com)
