On the occasion of the 175th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, the Alliance For Change pays homage to our African ancestors who were forced to journey to this foreign land; many dying along the way, and their struggle for freedom.
The history of Guyana and indeed of the Caribbean could not be written without recall of the greatest evil ever unleashed on mankind; that of slavery. Likewise, who we are as a people cannot be defined if we fail to acknowledge the fortitude of our African ancestors, which saw them through the harsh reality of slavery and the struggle for freedom.
All Guyanese, regardless of race or colour can learn from the examples of our African ancestors. Under the most severe of conditions they pooled their meagre earnings to purchase plots of land. Today, we can do well to imitate this lesson of unity and of resolve and the many other lessons they taught us through their courage and endurance.
175 years after slavery was abolished and the subsequent period of apprenticeship, we the descendants must determine whether we have proven worthy of the sacrifices they made. As we celebrate our freedom, let us remember that it was bought with tears, sweat and blood.
Long live a free Guyana!
