Jamaican High Commission in Pretoria Newspage - Emancipation Day Message by the Leader of the Opposition

My Brothers and Sisters, Children, Fellow Jamaicans here and abroad

I greet you this Emancipation Day as we commemorate this significant victory won by our foreparents on August 1, 1838.

We are proud that our ancestors left us a rich legacy of how to triumph over adversity; how to build a strong foundation for the advancement of our people.

From the dark nights of slavery through the constant struggles of our people, a new day of freedom dawned.

With that freedom we embarked on a road to nationhood and progress for our people.

Along the way we have met many obstacles, but no one should doubt it; Jamaica has made real strides forward.

Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of our Emancipation, our country and people are faced with new challenges that threaten to derail our development.   It is in times like these that the true value of our emancipation becomes even more relevant.

Emancipation is not just as a moment of history to be celebrated –

It summons us – as a nation – to a higher responsibility to protect the gains that have been hard fought and won by our ancestors and successive generations.

Those triumphs of our past, must become the flames that light our path as we seek creative solutions to overcome the obstacles of today. These obstacles are not just economic in origin; they also lie in our lack of respect, our lack of care and compassion towards each other.

This is evidenced by the high levels of violence, abuse, selfishness and coarseness that permeate communities across Jamaica.

We who have not lost trace of our history have a responsibility to renew and enhance the Freedom bequeathed to us by our ancestors.

We must promote that freedom by showing respect and love to all. This is the proud heritage passed to us by our ancestors.

They not only lived, but died for the cause of attaining freedom within the political, social and economic spheres.

It is through their example to surmount challenges that we are able to confront the feelings of disintegration, mistrust and defensiveness that are present in today’s society.

We must counteract these feelings with courage and determination.

This is the reason we must continue the fight against crime and violence within our communities.

This is the reason we must emphasize policies and programmes that protect the most vulnerable in the society.

Our people must be able to trust their Leaders; and as Leaders we must successfully engage the entire population in a campaign to protect and continue Jamaica’s development.

It requires of us a conscience free of deceit and selfishness.

It demands a willingness in each of us to sacrifice for the common good.

It does not give us the right to do as we please, but the responsibility to do what is right.

We must forge a social paradigm of inclusiveness and togetherness.   One that respects the role of the faith-based community as critical and vital; acknowledging that source of renewal of the core values, attitudes and behaviour upon which a kinder more caring society can be built.

We must each become the source of hope and freedom, fostering a sense of self-worth in the hearts of our people, many of whom continue to be the victims of social and political prejudice which sadly continue to plague our society.

We are all going to be called upon to bear our share of the work and the struggle that lie ahead of us, as we seek sustainable solutions to the obstacles we now face.

We must strive in unison as ONE people, selfless and committed to the national good.

As our ancestors have taught us we can be – triumphant and victorious.

It will take the best of all we are as a people - all of what Jamaica is – for us to achieve Full Freedom.

Freedom gives us the right to belong as a family and as a community.

It protects our rights to be accepted within the society in which we live.

It challenges us to act responsibly as brothers and sisters, elders and youth despite differences of race, colour, class or of political beliefs – living true to our motto:        “Out of Many, One People”

Let us ensure that the legacy of our ancestors is not lost in this modern struggle.

They fought to ensure the right to our freedom;
We must fight to ensure that our freedom is not reversed.

Today, I commend all those groups and individuals who participate in the preservation of our freedom. This is what our ancestors would want of us.

I am convinced that it is within our means to do this, and I am certain that we can.

I believe in the Jamaican people; I believe in Jamaica... Land We Love.

God bless the people of Jamaica, God bless Jamaica.

The Most Honouable Portia Simpson Miller, ON, MP
Leader of the Opposition