Basseterre, St Kitts; 30 October 2016: Following is the message delivered by Carol Phillips, President of the Jamaican Kittitian (JamKit) Association, for the Jamaica National Heroes Day 2016 Gospel Concert at Nevis Performing Arts Centre (NEPAC) on Friday, 28 October 2016:
Jamaica National Heroes Day was celebrated on Monday, 17 October 2016 during what is called Jamaica’s National Heritage Week. At this time of Celebration, in addition to celebrating the contributions of our six (6) National Heroes and One (1) National Heroine, the day was used to pay special tribute to 200 persons who received National Awards for their contributions to nation building in various fields at the National level, as well as many persons who have contributed at the parish level in the 14 parishes of Jamaica.
The members of the Jamaican Kittitian (JamKit) Association, the Association of Jamaicans and friends of Jamaicans living in the Federation of St Kitts & Nevis, take this opportunity to join with all Jamaicans living in Jamaica and in the diaspora in celebrating Jamaica National Heroes’ Day 2016. JamKit, with its motto of Goodwill & Unity Through Service, aims to unite Jamaicans, residing in St Kitts & Nevis in fellowship and to positively contribute in service to the community in which its members live, in the country which we now call home.
I have been advised that the JamKit Association has been around for many years and that Jamaicans have been serving in the Federation and contributing in various capacities for decades. There are Jamaicans in this audience who have been living in Nevis for over two (2) decades.
As some persons are aware, part proceeds from this Gospel Concert tonight will go towards assisting the Flamboyant Nursing Home and Cecele Browne Integrated School. This is how the Nevis Chapter of the Association chose to contribute to Nevis at this time incelebrationof Jamaica’s National Heroes Day. Presently the Nevis Chapter meets on the 3rd Saturday of each month at 4.00pm at the Red Cross Building in Charlestown.
But I digress,
The JamKit Association acknowledges the life and work of our six (6) National Heroes and one (1) National Heroine, whose specific efforts laid the foundation for Jamaica’s growth and development:
1) The Right Excellent Paul Bogle – Peasant Advocate and Martyr of the Emancipation Movement;
2) The Right Excellent Alexander Bustamante – Leading Labour Movement Advocate and Inaugural Prime Minister of Independent Jamaica;
3) The Right Excellent Marcus Mosiah Garvey – Pan-Africanist Leader, Publisher and African Repatriation Advocate; and the first National Hero
4) The Right Excellent George William Gordon – Advocate, Politician and Martyr of the Emancipation Movement;
5) The Right Excellent Norman Washington Manley – Political Titan of Independent Jamaica and eminent Barrister;
6) The Right Excellent Nanny of the Maroons – Mythical embodiment of the female Maroon fighter who repelled British expansion into the island’s heartland.
7) The Right Excellent Samuel Sharpe – Freed Slave, Advocate and Martyr of the Emancipation Movement;
Each, in his/her own way, facilitated the rapid growth of a Nation which, though it continues to be plagued by many challenges, continues to rise to meet each one.
In addition to the contributions of our National Heroes there are many men and women, boys and girls, who on a daily basis remind us of the true meaning of being a hero: one who undertakes efforts above and beyond the call of duty, in the service of others.
The Prime Minister of Jamaica, the Most Honourable Andrew Holness in his National Heroes Day Message said, and I quote:
“There was an overarching ideal which united the struggle of all our National Heroes: Freedom.
• Freedom from slavery and subjugation
• Freedom to assert our humanity
• Freedom to craft our own destiny
• Freedom to preserve and promote our unique culture
• Freedom to carve out our own path to nationhood
• Freedom to create our own national identity
• Freedom from the tyranny of poverty
• Freedom to construct a society of peace and prosperity
For our National Heroes, freedom was the essence of our humanity.
He further stated, and I quote:
“Crime constrains our freedom. The right to life is the most basic freedom. As a society, we have to deeply embed the concept of the sanctity of life.
We have to find ways to inculcate and reinforce that in our children. In the home, at basic school, through the media and in the popular culture, we have to teach our very young ones that each life, including theirs, is precious and inviolable.
We can’t wait until they reach adolescence to teach them respect for life.
One way to internalize our Heritage week motto, which is “Our Heritage…Our Legacy… Our Strength”, is to teach our history to our children.”
The Leader of the Opposition, the Most Honourable Portia Simpson, said in her message, and I quote:
“These six men and one remarkable woman will forever be immortalised in our hearts.
On this National Heroes Day we also salute the iconic but unsung heroes and heroines who continue to make great sacrifices in their families and communities across Jamaica every day.
Our brilliant achievements in culture, sport, academics, governance, and various professional pursuits, are lasting tributes to our fore parents. They are the true architects of Jamaica’s history.
For the vast majority of Jamaicans, our heritage is rooted in the African-Caribbean experience. This has influenced our sense of activism, struggle, love of liberty, deep spirituality and our amazing creativity, which is world acclaimed.”
Bearing all these ideas in mind and notwithstanding some negatives that might confront our little country, in our own small spaces and small ways, Jamaicans are exhorted to reject negatives and embrace the positives as we celebrate “Our Heritage…Our Legacy…Our Strength” for this year’s commemoration of
Jamaica National Heroes Day!
Warmest sentiments are sent out to all persons in this audience and to all residents of the Federation of St Kitts & Nevis with the wish that peace will guide our every step.
“One Love”
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