The President of the Iyanola Council for the Advancement of Rastafari and Pan African People, Aaron Alexander, has praised the Government of Saint Lucia for giving Emancipation Day a prominent place on the national calendar, saying the annual observance has finally received the recognition the Rastafari community fought decades to achieve.
In a statement released on August 4, Alexander thanked Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre and his administration for what he described as their steadfast support of Emancipation Month and the continued elevation of the observance as a national priority.
Alexander said that for more than 40 years, the Rastafari community had shouldered the responsibility of commemorating Emancipation largely on its own, with many people dismissing it as “just another Rasta thing.”
He said that has now changed.
According to Alexander, the Government’s commitment to officially recognising Emancipation has helped transform it into a national celebration that honours the resilience, struggles and sacrifices of Saint Lucia’s African ancestors.
While applauding the official recognition, Alexander stressed that the work of emancipation remains unfinished, urging citizens to continue freeing themselves from what he described as “mental slavery.”
He also welcomed Prime Minister Pierre’s Emancipation address, saying Saint Lucians must never lose sight of the sacrifices made by their forebears.
“Our people must be constantly reminded of the sacrifices made by our ancestors so that we can enjoy the rights and privileges that we have today,” Alexander stated. “We must never forget. We must remember everything as if it just happened yesterday.”
Reflecting on this year’s observances, Alexander said all indications suggested that the August 1 Emancipation celebrations in Vieux Fort were a success and thanked everyone who contributed to the event.
He said the growing national embrace of Emancipation demonstrates an increasing awareness of the importance of preserving history while ensuring future generations understand the struggles that secured the freedoms enjoyed today.
