KINGSTON, Jamaica – I extend warm, one love greetings from Jamaica, land we all so dearly love.
As we mark Emancipation Day 2007 and celebrate the 45th year of our Independence, let us do so in the spirit of ‘Unity, peace and justice…the pillars of a strong nation.’
Emancipation Day 2007 falls within a very historic year.
It is a year in which we hosted World Cup Cricket; a year in which we mark the 200th anniversary of the passing of that British Act which led to the abolition of the trans-Atlantic trade in Africans and it is the ‘Year of Garvey’ in tribute to the 120th anniversary of the birth of our National Hero the Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey.
These are not unconnected events celebrated in isolation.
They are important stages in our historic journey from a free African existence, through the tortuous period of conquest, colonization and enslavement, which robbed our ancestors of their rights, dignity and respect as human beings.
Emancipation Day is a time to celebrate our freedom from slavery; from abuse, injustice and a system which retarded our progress. Let us give full honour and recognition to those who fought with bold determination, for the rights which we so proudly enjoy today.
But that British Act of 1807 and Emancipation in 1838 did not mean the completion of our freedom journey.
The heroic efforts of people like Nanny, Sharpe, Bogle, Bedward, Garvey, Howell, and the founding fathers of independent Jamaica have brought significant progress in the journey to “emancipate ourselves” from mental, spiritual and emotional shackles. But we still have more work to do.
Independence opened the way for us to begin designing and building our own nation. In 45 years, we can be proud of our socio economic accomplishments and the maturing of our democracy.
Continuation of the journey however, means moving from political independence to interdependence based on blending the full range of skills, abilities and inputs of everyone, fired up by a shared vision and working together in unity, peace and justice.
I call on the family of Jamaicans, those at home and in the Diaspora to join in completing this journey.
We welcome your increasing interest in the affairs of your homeland. We appreciate the significant contributions you continue to make to improve the conditions of our people, and through mechanisms such as the bi-ennial Diaspora Conference and the Diaspora Advisory Board, we will continue to facilitate your contact, dialogue and tangible inputs.
As we observe these two significant dates in the life of our country – Emancipation and Independence, and in keeping with our experience, culture, history, values, strengths and aspirations, let us join hands and hearts in ensuring unity and peace abounds and justice ‘rolls down like water,’ throughout our land. These are the pillars on which we must continue the journey to build a strong and prosperous nation.
I look forward to your continued partnership and support as we seek to build a better life and a brighter future for all Jamaicans.
May God continue to bless us all and shine his Grace on Jamaica and its people.
Portia Simpson Miller
Prime Minister
