My fellow Jamaicans,
Every year on August 1, we commemorate what many regard as the most significant milestone in our nation’s history – Emancipation Day. This day holds profound meaning for us all, as we remember August 1, 1838 as the date which marked the end of a brutal and inhumane period in our history, after centuries of enslavement of our people.
It is a day to reflect on the courageous and heroic journey of the many hundreds of thousands of our people who had endured unimaginable suffering. We pay tribute to their unwavering spirit, their unrelenting struggle for freedom, and their unshakeable belief in a better future.
While the abolition of slavery was a significant milestone, of that period the vestiges of slavery and colonialism continue to impact our society as a whole even today. It is manifest in prevailing attitudes and values about our self-image, our family structures, our society, how we deal with conflicts, and so much more. We must work together to address those lingering effects of the past to dismantle systemic inequalities, and to create opportunities for all Jamaicans to thrive and achieve their hopes and dreams.
Therefore the struggle for freedom, equality, justice and economic empowerment is not just a historical event. It is an ongoing journey for each generation. The struggle must continue, as we build a more just and equitable Jamaica. It is through this struggle that we honour the memory of those, known and unknown, who fought and died as martyrs for the rights and freedoms we enjoy today; who resisted the chains of bondage with courage and determination.
Our mission is to build a Jamaica where every citizen is emancipated from mental slavery and enjoys the full benefits of freedom – freedom from poverty and all its debilitating manifestations, freedom from discrimination, and freedom to achieve our fullest potential.
As we embrace these noble aspirations, we also recognize our personal responsibility to be good citizens of this land. To love and care for each other, to treat each other with respect and uphold our laws, and to work for the common good of our national development.
The cornerstone of our mission must be the unity and togetherness of our people, encapsulated in One Love, and directed by the grace and will of God.
We will achieve that mission, because we are a great, resourceful and resilient people. Even in the face of the challenges that persist, we have hope and determination. We are a nation of innovators, creators, and entrepreneurs. We are a people of unbounded energy and unwavering optimism.
I commit myself to working diligently and steadfastly to address the injustices of our past and to build a better society for all Jamaicans. A future where every citizen has access to quality and affordable education and healthcare, and is prepared with the mindset and skillset to be productive and benefit from economic opportunities for wealth-creation and self-advancement.
Last month, our nation was rocked by the awesome power of Hurricane Beryl. Many parts of Jamaica were severely affected. Communities were disrupted, people lost their homes, schools and vital infrastructure were damaged and, sadly, people lost their lives. Our spirit was challenged, and our resilience has been tested. Yet, in the face of adversity, we have stood together, as the entire nation rose up in aid of our brothers and sisters who were affected. I will say more on this when I address you on Independence Day.
Emancipation Day is a time for celebration. It is a time to celebrate our culture, our heritage, and the indomitable spirit of the Jamaican people. Our heritage is the priceless gift of our forefathers, an unending source of inspiration and unity as we walk the road of national development.
As we celebrate Emancipation Day, let us recommit ourselves to this noble cause. May God bless you and keep you and may God bless Jamaica land we love.
Thank you.