My two favourite “Freedom Issues”
I took a break from my usual Emancipation Lamentations in this space for a few years. (Some sensitive Afro-Guyanese would sometimes mis-interpret my annual offerings as being anti-this or anti-that.) However, I return if only to teach. Or provoke serious reflection.
I hope serious teaching components will accompany the celebratory presence of the African Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses who have accepted the local African Cultural Development Association’s invitation to participate in this week-end’s Freedom Celebrations.(Would your average twelve-year old Afro-fellow know how many years ago the slaves acquired their “full-freedom” – Emancipation?)
And suppose I state that Indian Guyanese – for example – should embrace these celebrations with some passion also? Why? Because the 1834-1838 Emancipation is the reason they are (all) here!
Kofi, Quamina, Damon – Freedom’s spirit
Basically to “emancipate” is to ”set free; to release or liberate”. That of course implies that one party – owners or masters – arranges freedom/discharge for another – those who were under servitude.
Slavery was around before the fairer skinned European “races” returned to the African continent to transport Africans to Europe, the Americas and the Caribbean to work as slaves for them in various agriculture fields. Yes readers, “whites” enslaved whites as Africans and Arabs once did to their own!
Whilst India’s “untouchables” and millions elsewhere were conditioned to believe, to accept that earlier societies just had to appreciate that there must be masters and unpaid, less-than-human slaves, always the flame of and for freedom burned in many kept in bondage.
Thus it came about that Kofi a domestic artisan slave could take Dutch brutality no longer in Berbice in early 1763. I am still thrilled whenever I read even more of his statesmanlike written engagements with Dutch Governor van Hoogenheim. His gallant year-long efforts to guide and even placate his not-so-tactical lieutenants like Atta, Acabre, Akaka, Gousarri etc. And his negotiations for partition.
Then, six decades after Kofi’s Rebellion suffered a proud yet ignoble collapse, a very Christianised East Coast Demerara Slave Leader was framed for inciting an even more massive “insurrection”. Quamina was a reluctant hero reluctantly aided and abetted by an English Missionary, the Reverend John Smith. So incensed were the British colonisers then, that their soldiers decapitated many rebels and imprisoned the British Pastor-Missionary.
Historians and I contend that the 1823 Demerara Revolt, along with the wrongful execution of the Essequibian Passive-Resistance Leader Damon contributed in 1833/1834 to the eventual abolition of slavery among the British and their despicable holdings in these parts. Economic and some Christian/moralistic imperatives influenced the ending of African human bondage. But the minds, souls and physical bravery of the enslaved also guaranteed freedom.
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Enduring Emancipation: Still elusive?
I make bold today to invite the anniversary’s proud celebrants to consider the following provocative questions as issues for long-term resolution: How emancipated can a people be if their minds are still overly influenced by thoughts and concepts not consistent with their rights and ambitions? Is not true freedom elusive if you and your group are always dependent and not fully aware of collaboration group-power? What did Robert Nesta Marley mean when he sings the advice-“Emancipate yourself from mental slavery?
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Whither Black Business?
This caption too, immediately above, has been used by me quite often before. It usually signals my inquiry about the relative dearth of Afro-Guyanese in successful large-scale commercial and industrial enterprises in this land. Compared to the now historic presence, status and success enjoyed by their counterpart Indo-citizens.
An anecdote of relevance: my Afro-friend and political colleague, Gerald W., of past-times, joined another Afro-acquaintance, now deceased, to establish a monthly-then-weekly newspaper exploring and promoting the world of local commerce/business.
The writers and editors painstakingly examined the history, the sociology behind Afro-Guyanese relative failure in business, when compared to efforts of other groups in Guyana. (Lack of expertise, experience and co-operation. Discrimination by lending institutions. Non- support from “their own“ in terms of support and custom. And a few other “usual” reasons.) Weeks after its existence my friends’ publication itself died an early death!
What a study Guyanese black business could attract. Cannot groups of five/ten Afro-Guyanese from the Diaspora establish schools, medical facilities, bakeries or ICT hubs in their home village?? As “others” do?
An Afro-Guyanese has just established a merchant bank in Georgetown. He has spoken about “taking risks” and the types of financing small businesses need. And the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has just announced a specific-type loan of US$120M. For about 100 small businesses/micro-enterprises.
I wish Black Business – small, medium and large – real success after this week-end.
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Two personal post-Emancipation favourites
“Seriously” lightening the freedom celebrations with these “usual” two:
● 1) Before and after full-freedom Emancipation (Aug 01, 1838), freed and free Africans journeyed to and settled in Guyana to become Guianese. Many Afro-Guyanese today are not descendants of slaves! Ho-Ho-Ho!
● 2) Around the mid-1840’s the governor in B.G. wrote telling his British Colonial Secretary that “the male indentured coolies are getting on rather well with some negresses”. Guiana’s first douglahs resulted. Ho-Ho-Ho. Have a great Emancipation weekend.
`Til next week!
