Emancipation.. yes, Freedom... no?

It’s the anniversary of emancipation today and I would love to say 'Happy emancipation' but given the current state of things in islands such as Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica (and elsewhere), it seems like we have forgotten the struggles of those who went before us.... how can we celebrate a freedom that was obtained at such an enormous cost and for which so many lives were lost while we still hold each other hostage? While we still possess the colonial mentality of 'lighter skin colour is prettier’, ‘the lighter the eyes and the softer/longer the hair the better’... don't we still say 'yes massa'?

I find it hard to celebrate when I see these black youths placing little emphasis on education but instead taking up the gun…killing each other. How can I celebrate when it seems as though we have taken so many steps back and we seem so comfortable to live in the proverbial gutter? It seems all folly to me when I visit the place of my birth, a place I consider ‘home’ and I feel as though I am under duress, can’t leave the house after certain time at night without evoking a high level of stress. I am unable to visit certain neighborhoods where my friends and I frequented as teenagers because they are no longer safe. Unfortunately this can now be said of the village where I grew up. Come on, where is the freedom in that? As males my brothers and cousins have to be vigilant that they do not go into the 'wrong area/wrong street'? Where is the freedom in that? Why is my heart alarmed every time the phone rings and I see and code 868?

Where is the freedom when those jokers who hold the reins of political power don’t give a damn about the masses and one only sees them during their election campaigns as they bump their gums and make empty promises? Where is the freedom when votes are petitioned and given according to race? It’s really beyond belief when man, woman and child depend on CEPEP relief?

Killings on the taxi stand? Killings all over this tiny Island…. Where is the freedom in that?
Corrupted Police Officers willing to take a bribe and turn a blind eye?
Those who are in the ‘Service’ only to protect and serve themselves brutalize and disrespect civilians…
Where is the freedom in that?

Where is the freedom when our children are being abused and their inherent futures being refused….
When they are being neglected and spoiled… being offered material possessions to compensate for the emotional and sometimes physical absence of their parents and guardians?
Not being taught the value of deferred gratification, then we wonder why they believe that they do not have to work for the things they need/want and can just come up in your face and say
‘oyi you’!
“Gimme yuh wallet, yuh keys, yuh phone and hey while yuh at it, give me your f*#%ing shoe you!!!”
And if you hesitate, ‘boyaca’ bullet in yuh head, because in their world human life has no value, at least not as much value as worn and lived in shoe

Ok, so we may no longer be chattels in the slave trade, but what about the drug trade, why do we close our eyes to the sex trade? Why all the kidnappings?
Where on earth is Leah Lammy? Why is that angel still missing? Why was it possible for her to be taken?

Freedom?
Emancipation?
Are you bloody kidding me???!!!!

Yes, so some may say we started off at a disadvantage when we lost our names, our identities and our religion…
But is that something that should forever curse us?
I do not deny that there will always be the residual effects, after all some may say that one hundred and seventy-five years isn’t that long in the scheme of things and one can’t simple forget it… that’s true too
But is it not time to shape a new history for those that will come after…. For the younger ones already here?
Personally, I know that I want my nieces and nephews to have good memories and a legacy worth being proud of and I long for the day when I can say ‘Sweet T & T’ this is my country, where every creed and race has found an equal place…
A place of beauty, a place of peace
A place where all that is ugly would cease
A place where we can celebrate being truly free
A place where we can appreciate the cost and the price paid for that freedom
And all that it was meant to bring… all that it can still bring
A place where from our own whip we will not feel the sting
Where we can really be a free nation
And mean it when we say “happy emancipation!!!!