On Emancipation Day 2011, I send greetings to the national community, especially to all those of African descent.
This year, Emancipation Day is being celebrated within the wider context of the International Year for People of African Descent which began on 1st January, 2011.
In launching this International Year, on 10th December, 2010, Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Kimoon, speaking at United Nations Headquarters in New York, declared that the Year “seeks to strengthen political commitment to eradicating discrimination against people of African descent...and to promote greater awareness of and respect for the diverse heritage and culture of people of African descent”.
In recognizing that this Year provides opportunity to pay tribute to their accomplishments and significant contributions to the development of all our societies, Secretary General Ban averred that people of African descent are “among those most affected by racism”.
In recognizing that this Year provides opportunity to pay tribute to their accomplishments and significant contributions to the development of all our societies, Secretary General Ban averred that people of African descent are “among those most affected by racism”.
He also recalled the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade which denied the humanity of its victims and stated that, even today, many descendants continue to suffer the consequences of the barbarism that was perpetrated.
The Secretary General drew reference to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action which enjoin governments and others to “ensure the full integration of people of African descent into social, economic and political life, and to facilitate their full participation at all levels of decision-making”.
The Secretary General drew reference to the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action which enjoin governments and others to “ensure the full integration of people of African descent into social, economic and political life, and to facilitate their full participation at all levels of decision-making”.
He went on to say that the success of the International year depends on persons and entities working together within nations and internationally as well as throughout the United Nations system.
It is tempting to assume that these considerations have little or no bearing on how we conduct our affairs in Trinidad and Tobago. However, it would be simplistic to conclude that we are free of the pitfalls of less than noble thinking and behaviour in matters of race.
It is tempting to assume that these considerations have little or no bearing on how we conduct our affairs in Trinidad and Tobago. However, it would be simplistic to conclude that we are free of the pitfalls of less than noble thinking and behaviour in matters of race.
The words of our National Anthem: “Here every creed and race find and equal place” make a strong declaration, but they have to be given life by what we do, consistently.
We must be vigilant to ensure that the affirmation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”, is not just an affirmation but is manifest in how we treat one another. Tribal instincts must be put down wherever they seek to establish pre-eminence of one race over another.
We are well aware that declarations recorded on paper, while important and necessary as historical records, are hardly effective without the will, political and otherwise, to realize their objectives. It is up to us, as a people, to face squarely whatever issues may arise to challenge a commitment to equality of treatment of all our citizens.
The celebration of Emancipation Day 2011, given the international context, is a good time for self-examination, for celebrating talents and successes, taking an honest position in ascribing responsibility for failures and charting a way to overcome whatever barriers there may be to the achievement of optimum potential.
I hope that this year’s celebration will be one of deepest reflection and significance.
May God bless our nation.
We must be vigilant to ensure that the affirmation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights that “all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”, is not just an affirmation but is manifest in how we treat one another. Tribal instincts must be put down wherever they seek to establish pre-eminence of one race over another.
We are well aware that declarations recorded on paper, while important and necessary as historical records, are hardly effective without the will, political and otherwise, to realize their objectives. It is up to us, as a people, to face squarely whatever issues may arise to challenge a commitment to equality of treatment of all our citizens.
The celebration of Emancipation Day 2011, given the international context, is a good time for self-examination, for celebrating talents and successes, taking an honest position in ascribing responsibility for failures and charting a way to overcome whatever barriers there may be to the achievement of optimum potential.
I hope that this year’s celebration will be one of deepest reflection and significance.
May God bless our nation.
Max Richards | President of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
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