Today in Trinidad and Tobago it is politically correct for nationals of African descent, (myself included) to don African wear and display our African-ness in celebration of the August 1st Proclamation of the Emancipation of African Slaves in the British colonies.
I’ve never been politically correct and I certainly have never been able to "celebrate" this auspicious proclamation. As far as I am concerned it is a load of bull spoken to the ignorant masses to bind them into the controllable pen of anger and revenge.
Trinidad was never a slave society and in my humble opinion, residents of this twin island country are more enslaved now, than at any point in the history of our nation.
I thank God everyday, I was born a free person and I am able without concern to voice my opinions and to traverse paths my foreparents dared not thread. I also understand the context in which commemoration of the Proclamation of Emancipation, can be observed. But certainly donning 'African styled" couture and dancing in Masai inspired costumes to the rhythmn of drums is not the way to go.
Dr Kwame Nantambu's book "Egypt and Afrocentric Geopolitics" is a starting point for any student desiring true emancipation. Its message can help the reader change focus from the insulting perception of what it means to be African to understanding the quality, quantity of the contributions and the accomplishments of the African diaspora to the world through the ages.
Today certainly isn't a day for celebration. There is nothing to celebrate while the African continent is torn apart by civil war and political turmoil. Nothing!
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