The plaque at the portico where abolition of slavery was proclaimed in Spanish Town
Archbishop Sentamu recalls what went in his mind when he stood at the spot where abolition of slavery was proclaimed 200 years ago.
I said to myself why humanity did such a thing to another person. Sell them like chattels, sell them like slaves.
What is it that went into their brains, you can say that they were liberated, but they were not slaves from birth. So the proclamation came and stopped the trade it left a sour bitterness.
In my thoughts, I recalled when I went to Zanzibar, I went to a place where the slaves were actually shackled, in a room where 5 of us couldn’t fit in 70 were put in there…three days no water, no food no toilet…if they wanted to go they mess themselves out.
After seven days their souls and hearts were broken so they were brought out. I went in there and thought to myself these were my brothers and sisters. The thing that went through me was almost like when I went into Zanzibar, the port where the slaves were being sold out.
It wasn’t hurray as I stood there…why, why did they ever sell people like things, my stomach turned actually just turned…I just thought humanity just stopped.
Archbishop and Mrs. Sentamu at the steps of the portico where proclamation of slavery was read out 200 years ago
Oh humanity, come to the understanding that the tears of your forefathers and mothers, their blood shed in slavery that we can uphold the principle of love, faith and hope. They paid the ultimate price for our being.
Arise, from your settled spirit, be counted. Be knowledgeable of where you came from, where are today, and where you are going.
Commit yourself to live your life cultivating the beauty of your soul, awash with sincere appreciation for others. Be strong! Your ancestors blood should not be in vain.
The true will of humanity is to serve one another, to repel those whose mandate is to destroy and obstruct the goodness of our Creator.
Let us today take a page of history and encourage love and peace around the globe.
Your time to share in the furtherance of faith, kindness, care, respect, honour and prosperity is now.
Today is a new day to lift your voice and say: “In this land, blood was shed for me, I will not let history fail me from attaining my full potential.”
May God’s guidance and protection be upon us today, and forever.
Winston Harding, October 10th, 2007 winstonh_2005@yahoo.ca Toronto Canada
Hello Everyone:
That’s a wonderful response from Mr. Winston Harding. I hope most people would think and act in that manner. Keep up the great work, sir.
Respectfully, Anthony Rogers