Inaugural Sam Sharpe Lecture Slated for Dec. 22

The inaugural Sam Sharpe Lecture, scheduled for the Montego Bay Cultural Centre on Thursday December 22, will target the youth population.

Minister of State in the Office of the Prime Minister (West), Hon. Homer Davis, told JIS News that “there is a genuine need for the Jamaican youth to be educated and informed about the work and worth of National Hero, the Rt. Excellent Samuel Sharpe”.

As such, he said the ‘Flames of Freedom’ Lecture “is expected to be the catalyst in ensuring that it happens”.

Mr. Davis said the lecture is expected to be informative and expressed confidence that the presenters, Jamaica Baptist Union (JBU) theologian, Reverend Devon Dick and historian and political analyst, Shalman Scott, will provide great insights into the work and worth of the National Hero.

“I am optimistic that the information shared at the lecture will be that catalyst to bring the National Hero closer to the people,” he added.

Moderator of the event will be Western Mirror Managing Editor, Lloyd B. Smith.

The lecture forms part of activities marking Sam Sharpe Day 2022, which Mr. Davis noted will take on added significance, as this year marks the 191st anniversary of the Christmas Rebellion which was orchestrated by the National Hero in 1831.

Other activities include primary and high-school poster and essay competitions, which will see students vying for the Homer Davis Sam Sharpe Flames of Freedom Trophy, to be presented to the respective winners.

The essay competition will be open to primary-school students, while those at the secondary level, and trainee teachers at Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College will match their creative and artistic skills in the poster competition.

Both activities will give students a chance to channel their creative juices by putting their views of Sam Sharpe into words and drawings.

“The winners will be announced and rewarded during the annual Sam Sharpe Tribute on Labour Day, May 23 next year, in Sam Sharpe Square,” Mr. Davis informed.

Another event, the ‘Flames of Freedom Torch Run’, aims to attract 200 youth from the St. James Southern constituency, for which Mr. Davis is the Member of Parliament.

The youngsters will be engaged in a symbolic run from Catadupa to Cambridge, Montpelier, Anchovy, and then Sam Sharpe Square for a short ceremony.

Thereafter, the run continues to Granville and John’s Hall, culminating in Tulloch Castle for another short ceremony and a grand celebratory concert.

“The celebratory ceremony and concert will be the culmination of the day’s celebrations and will highlight the re-enactment of the lighting of the thatch house. The ceremony will be addressed by government officials and representatives of the St. James Southern constituency. A grand concert, featuring top gospel and reggae acts, will put a lid on the 2022 observation and celebration of Sam Sharpe Day 2022,” Mr. Davis indicated.

Sponsors already confirmed for the event include the CHASE Fund, St. James Municipal Corporation, and MBJ Airports Limited.