Dear Editor,
Hush, Hush, Sh Sh Sh….good for August Monday?
Something happened on Jouvert Morning, August Monday 2015. It was being reported over the airwaves. Gurus wondered what balm would be prescribed for the judging hiccups. And the march of jumping and merriment melted into the dawn of a new day. Nothing was announced on that day – the day that commemorates EMANCIPATION, a mere 181 years ago. The system of slave labour and its agencies of justification, kept information tightly packaged for the benefit of the privileged and the servitude of many.
August Monday pays homage to the links in the chain that had been cut to begin to enforce basic human rights. Back then, in 1834, the ruling classes firmly believed that the enslaved needed a period for learning to be free! So “apprenticeship” was the prologue to emancipation. This was based on the perspectives accorded to inferior simpletons. Such perspectives have no place in today’s march for a progressive society whether they come from persons from cosmopolitan countries, who come to live amongst us, or those responsible for planning services and events. In the spirit of August Monday, Kudos to the voices that were raised, the sacrifices in sweat and blood to bring about change. Even people who had nothing to gain from the formal dissolution of slavery, led movements against inequality and injustice. It’s not about winning and results – today for me, tomorrow for you. It’s about the process and standards that can stand up to the test of time and the light of day. It’s about consultation, fairness, transparency and timeliness when developing criteria and applying them. Even at the prestigious Olympic Games there are hurdles and discrepancies but they are often followed by apologies, investigation and attempts at impartial compensation.
So Hello-ooo, carnival administrators, you owe more than a “hail back”. “Hello” should be a friendly introduction–talk about what happened – say something. Or is “Sh Sh Sh – hush, hush” the mantra for marching on the road?
Yours in freedom,
Emancipated
