Emancipation: Reality of Delusion

“Emancipation wasn't a gift bestowed on the slaves; it was something they took for themselves, the culmination of their long struggle for freedom.”- Jamelle Bouie. To wish everyone happy emancipation day is considered polite and acceptable. To what extent are we happy and emancipated? It is rather unfortunate that over the years the meaning of emancipation has changed. This change has accompanied each generation. This current generation for the most part does not have that loyal and passionate association with our enslaved forefathers. Perhaps, this is a well planned and calculated ploy by those who now are the new masters of the plantation. Our students are not aware of their rich history. The teaching of history education is optional at the secondary level. As a result a significant number of students graduate yearly without immersing themselves in the study of their history. While much has changed since 1838, a lot has remained the same for the masses. The masses with their strong African features are still tenants on the large plantation. The masses continue to be suppressed by neo-systems of slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation of 1834 was only intended to remove the physical shackles of slavery. At midnight on August 1, 1838, Governor Sir Lionel Smith read the Emancipation Proclamation on the steps of the entrance of the governor’s mansion in Spanish Town, St Catherine. Nonetheless, that was not the beginning of full freedom. The people were still tied to the plantations under the Apprenticeship System, which was slated to end August 1840. Until then, only enslaved children below the age of six were freed immediately. Every able-bodied person was designated an apprentice, and the period of apprenticeship was to be gradually abolished in two stages: after four years (August 1, 1838) for domestic apprentices, and after six years (August 1, 1840) for field apprentices. However, the system, the entrenched system of slavery has remained steadfast. This system has been reinforced in the agents of socialization particularly, the education and religious systems. The status quo is still intact despite the major slave protests and revolts of the 18th and 19th centuries. Regrettably, the sustained resistance of enslaved people, culminating in the major rebellion in Jamaica of Christmas 1831 has been lost over time. Emancipation was a political creation by the British Parliament; unfortunately this was not accompanied by a network of psycho social and economic emancipation. The emancipation negotiated settlement came along with a grant of £20 million in compensation, to be paid by the British taxpayers to slave owners. History indicates that in addition to the many absentee planters, bankers and financiers directly concerned with the business of sugar and slavery, there were many other types of claimant such as clergymen. Yes, the Church of England owned slaves. The newly emancipated were not compensated for their labour, this economic lifeline was only extended to the white slave owners. Church of England. The Church of England knew it was investing in the transatlantic slave trade during the 18th century, the head of its investment arm admitted, after it committed 100 million British pounds ($121m) to address the wrongs of links to the slave trade. The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby on a recent visit to Jamaica apologized for the Church of England’s links with the transatlantic slave trade during a July 21 200th anniversary thanksgiving service of the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Welby said that there “remains in many hearts resistance to the concept of enslavement as our sin”. Archbishop Welby said that he was “deeply, deeply, deeply sorry. We sinned against your ancestors. I would give anything that it could be reversed, but it cannot.” The Archbishop of Canterbury is the spiritual leader of the Anglican Church globally. The money will finance projects aimed at supporting disadvantaged black communities as well as entrepreneurs, researchers, doctors, teachers, and others. Is 100 million British pounds adequate to right centuries of wrong concerning enslavement? Even with an apology from the Archbishop, this sum of money is problematic. It is scandalous that the church has found itself in such a compromising position. The same church that should have stood up against chattel slavery found herself deeply involved in this act against humanity. Interestingly, even today the Anglican Church is viewed with suspicion and is perceived to be a church for a certain social class of people. Let us not forget that during the time of the Transatlantic Slave Trade the Church of England became very prosperous at the expense of the enslaved, men, women and children. Education System. Jamaica inherited an elitist education system from the British. Despite various reform programmes such as the Primary Education Improvement Project (PEIP) and the Reform of Secondary Education (ROSE) Jamaica's education system still lacks fairness. This is further manifested in that access to the best performing secondary schools continues to be highly correlated with the socioeconomic background of students. Additionally, the government needs to revisit the funding model for low-performing schools and move away with the one-size-fits-all model where resources are allocated equally per student. In recent years, the education system experimented with the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) and currently, the Primary Exit Profile (PEP). Disappointingly, the society has failed to close the educational inequality gap. Additionally, there is the patriarchy of schooling in which positions of power and authority are usually for males while the positions of subordinations are relegated to females. Yes, in some instances, in fact in many instances women have made great strides; however, the system of patriarchy is still dominant throughout most if not all societies. Of course, there are many stakeholders within the education system. Classroom teachers play a critical role in the teaching and learning journey. This category of workers are oftentimes sorted and sifted similarly to what took place on the sugar plantations centuries ago. Those teachers who are passive and stifle their consciousness are often rewarded with senior teacher positions. On the other hand, those who are frank and forthright are penalized by the withholding of senior teacher positions. There is no system of meritocracy. Instead, what exists is a system of favoritism and nepotism. This system of corruption and lack of transparency is pervasive and impacts the wider society. Do you feel emancipated? Feel Good Culture. In order to deflect from the harsh realities of daily life society throws at us a feel good culture that is rooted in catchy lyrics and soul food. Of course, nothing is wrong with having a good time. However, this should not be at the expense of knowing and appreciating one’s history. This (sub)-culture is steeped in unruly behaviors and the trampling of human rights. Herein lays the issue with the justice system. The justice system should be that great equalizer among the citizenry. Needless to say, the justice system is often viewed as biased and dependent on one’s wealth. CARICOM Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice. Victims and their descendants have a duty to call for reparatory justice. As against this background the ten point plan for reparatory justice is a useful tool for further development in member states. The CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) asserts that European Governments were owners and traders of enslaved Africans, instructed genocidal actions upon indigenous communities and created the legal, financial and fiscal policies necessary for the enslavement of Africans. The CRC is committed to the process of national international reconciliation. The call for justice is the basis of the closure they seek to the terrible tragedies that engulfed humanity during modernity. The CRC comes into being some two generations after the national independence process, and finds European colonial rule as a persistent part of Caribbean life. The CRC sees the persistent racial victimization of the descendants of slavery and genocide as the root cause of their suffering today. The CRC recognizes the persistent harm and suffering experienced today by these victims as the primary cause of development failure in the Caribbean. The CRC calls upon European governments to participate in the CRJP with a view to prepare these victims and sufferers for full admission with dignity into the citizenry of the global community. Reality of Delusion. To what extent are we truly emancipated? Perhaps, emancipation is a merely mirage for one set of people while it remains a reality for those who continue to suppress. Sadly, we have lost the indomitable spirit of our forefathers. We have become subdued and indecisive in our approach to our history and our place in history. Although slavery has been abolished, the crippling poison of colourism, corruption and discrimination continues. For many especially in the English Speaking Caribbean emancipation has become a reality of delusion. A luta continua! Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #EmancipationDay