By Prince Court

In a newspaper of Friday, August 2nd of 2024, I read the following, under the caption Poor Support for Watchnight Gathering. “Disappointed with the attendance on Wednesday evening at the 16th annual Watchnight Gathering in observance of Emancipation Day, the Minister of Education, Sports and Creative Industries has agreed that something must be done to boost interest and attendance for the gathering”.

The article continued: “Organized by the Antigua and Barbuda Reparations Commission, the Watchnight Gathering, held at the Botanical Gardens, was described as a continuous cherished tradition, symbolizing the anticipation enslaved Africans felt as they awaited news of their freedom. However, it continues to be overshadowed by the carnival festivities that are held simultaneously”.

“On Wednesday evening”, it continues, “Minister Daryll Matthew said that the turnout continues to be disappointing and told the gathering there must be renewed interest in the activities planned in observance of Emancipation Day”. Matthew is quoted as saying; “ MAYBEAS THE MINISTER WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR FESTIVALS AND EVENTS LIKE THIS, MAYBE I NEED TO DO SOME REFLECTION TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE DOING ENOUGH TO EMPOWER AND ENLIGHTEN PERSONS ABOUT THIS ACTIVITY”. Hallelujah!!

What brilliant reflection!! Not only has the minister programmed a major carnival show, as usual, for the same night as the Emancipation Watchnight, but this year it is theCaribbean MeltingPot night; and as brilliant stroke of genius reflection, we have the leading regional, if not international, soca artist Machel Montano , performing in that hot entertainment pot. Guess where. A hundred yards or so away from the Emancipation Watchnight. It will be Machel Montano versus Dr Julius Garvey, son of the leader of the greatest mobilization of black people ever on this planet.Einstein must have been engaged for that decision. It’s like having the Pied Piper performing at the Antigua Recreation Grounds, while expecting children to gather under the rubber tree at the Botanical Gardens to eat vegetables.

Garvey could be saying a few words at the beginning of the night’s program at the ARG, to the melting pot of Caribbean people, as his father would have done. Approaching midnight, there could be some relevant artistic performance, then at midnight, the minute of silence, the drumming/iron band and perhaps some fireworks.

Let’s emancipate ourselves from mental slavery.