August 1st is celebrated throughout the Caribbean as "Emancipation Day", which marks the end of slavery in the British colonies. Much of freedom that is enjoyed today by many islanders came at a cost, it is this struggle to be recognize as equals and be respected that birthed today's Emancipation celebration. Slavery remains an ugly part of history, a trademark of the Caribbean and Latin American, less than 180 years ago, I would have been treated as subject, a tool to be used and abused by my Master. Today the Caribbean continues to write its own history, many of these islands are now independent while others enjoy limited self-governance from their Europeans rulers.
Today I want to celebrate a symbol of Emancipation, the Caribbean woman, she anchors many islands through difficult storms and writes her own story of empowerment, commerce and freedom
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From island to island, she stands strong. I hope that spirit she embodies never die. A spirit of commerce, a go get it kind of thing. Sets the tone of the household, often the breadwinner when the man can't be found. Today women in the Caribbean have grown from their traditional roles and now are Presidents, Prime Ministers, etc. That spirit lives on, as we celebrate Emancipation Day, I hope it never dies.