Did Guyana start the movement to dismantle slavery?

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Dear Editor, The first organised strike against the cruel and wicked system of slavery happened in 1763 in Berbice, Guyana, where the Berbice Slave Rebellion (BSR) came near to toppling the Dutch administration. The fate of the 1763 rebellion was told succinctly in poetry format by Prof Lear Matthews who also provided a glimpse into African folklore. Cuffy and his men fought for freedom but did not prevail. The Dutch administration suppressed the rebellion, but they failed to kill the idea of freedom. After 75 years, the slaves won their freedom.

Reference was made to the American revolution of 1776 which brought freedom to Americans, but slaves were still in bondage. It took another 27 years after the abolishment of slavery in Guyana and the Caribbean, for America to abolish slavery in 1865. According to Guyana Foreign Secretary Hon Robert Persaud, it was Guyana that ignited the immeasurable struggle for freedom in the Caribbean and the US.

Slavery is integral to Guyana’s history that must be owned by all Guyanese. Emancipation for descendants of slaves is a time for reflection and to recognise the tremendous sacrifice, the resilience, and the excruciating pain that slaves endured to give future generations a life of freedom and self-respect, said Ms. Jennifer Branche, a Guyanese born professional who works at the UN. She asserted that their fore parents were freedom fighters and that they understood the value of civil rights. Planters (owners of slaves) sought to destroy the rich cultural heritage of salves and their descendants and tried to impose a “creole” culture (mixture of English/Dutch cultural values with local cultural practices). Despite this attempt at cultural suppression, it was evident that many cultural traits have persisted, and these were evident at the Emancipation function held at Medgar Evers College in Brooklyn on July 31, 2024. There were African drumming (Winston Hoppie), Dance (Jermain Victor), poetry (Prof Lear Mathews), African pride (Ananya Lee Willabus), folklore (Winston Hoppie), African cuisine, and African costume.

The speeches highlighted the significance of emancipation, the untold suffering of slaves and their descendants, their resilience, and the urgency for reparatory justice. Hon Robert Persaud, Ambassadors Trishala Persaud (Guyana UN Permanent Mission) and Michael Brotherson stated that the Guyana government takes a strong stance on reparation and recognises the resilience and significant contribution made by slaves and their descendants to Guyana’s development. Guyana President Dr Irfaan Ali was emphatic when he demanded on August 25, 2023 (The Guardian) that descendants of European Slave Traders pay reparation to descendants of slaves to “right a historical wrong.” He went further by saying that those who were involved in the slave trade and condone African enslavement be charged posthumously with crimes against humanity. Senator Roxanne Persaud said that they have passed a Bill in the New York State Assembly to demand reparation for descendants of slaves in the US as well as in the Caribbean, including Guyana. She told the audience that she always carries a Guyana flag and urged all Guyanese to do likewise.

It was pointed out that Guyana has established a Reparations Committee which works closely with the CARICOM Reparations Commission which is setting the path to reconciliation, truth, and justice for victims of slavery and their descendants. Senator Roxanne and other political leaders in New York as well as community leaders have applauded Ambassador Brotherson and his staff for putting together such a beautiful program and for always willing and ready to reach out across the Guyanese diaspora. In recognition for his strong leadership, NYC Public Advocate Hon Jumaane D Williams presented Ambassador with a citation on the occasion of Emancipation. Yours truly, Dr. Tara Singh

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