Emancipation Day (A History Lesson)

A picture of the placard on the Sam Sharpe Monument in Montego Bay

Yesterday, Jamaica celebrated Emancipation day. Actually Emancipation is on the 1st of August, but since that fell on a Sunday, they celebrated on Monday. Here is a bit of history.

If you have seen the movie "Amazing Grace" or know the story of William Wilburforce, you know that the English abolished the slave trade in 1807. But, while the slave trade was abolished, it didnt necessarily end the enslavement of all of those people already in Jamaica or any other of the English Colonies. So, on to Emancipation day. During the Christmas holiday of 1831, a large scale slave revolt known as the Baptist War broke. It was organised originally as a peaceful strike by Baptist minister Samuel Sharpe. The rebellion was suppressed by the militia of the Jamaican plantocracy and the British garrison ten days later in early 1832. Because the loss of property and life in the 1831 rebellion, the British Parliament held two inquiries. The results of these inquiries contributed greatly to the abolition of slavery with the Slavery Abolition Act 1833. The Slavery Abolition Act 1833 ended slavery in the British Empire on August 1, 1834. While the enslaved Africans in Jamaica received Emancipation on 1st of August 1834, they suffered in some cases far worse than during enslavement for the next 4 years under an unjust Apprenticeship System. So, the 1st of August, 1838 is considered the year of ‘full emancipation’.

The reality is, slavery is still an issue in many parts of the world. This is an issue that still demands our attention and prayer. If you are interested in learning more, follow the work of "International Justice Mission" as they work around the world for justice in the name of Jesus.