The British Monarchy has controlled Jamaica for more than three decades now, and the time has come to depart from the colonial rulings of the Royal Empire. In celebration of the Queen’s 7Oth Platinum Jubilee Caribbean tour, Prince Williams and Kate was met with strong protests from the country natives and advocates who wrote an open letter to the Duke and the Duchess Of Cambridge opposing their visit.
The letter acknowledges 60 reasons why the British Monarchy should issue a public apology for its longstanding crimes against humanity with the people of Jamaica which is largely attributed to their bloody participation in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade.
“Jamaica Had The Largest Numbers Of Slaves Of The Whole Of The British West Indies.”
What is the trans-atlantic slave trade? The transatlantic slave trade is largely responsible for bringing enslaved Africans to the America’s. This wicked and brutal plot is said to have drawn 10 to 20 million Africans from their homeland. “Approximately 600,000 of Africans came to Jamaica, West Indies; one of the largest importers of slaves at the time between 1533 and 1807. Referred to as the triangular trade, it involved three points Europe, Africa, and the West Indies and represented a complex financial business at its peak in the 18th century – NLJ (National Library Of Jamaica). ”
Jamaica is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean and revered as the ‘jewel’ in Britain’s crown. In 1805 the island’s sugar production hit a huge peak and was producing more than one hundred thousand tons of sugar. Europe’s interest in human cargo and economic demands for agricultural luxuries of sugar and tobacco were key components to their participation. It was the ‘cultivation of sugar’ that was intricately intertwined within the system of African enslavement.
” There are issues here, which as you know are unresolved, but your presence gives us an opportunity for those issues to be placed in context to be put front and center and to be addressed as best as we can. But Jamaica is, as you would see is a country that is proud of its history and very proud of what we have achieved. And we’re moving on and we intend to fulfill our true ambitions and destiny to become independent, developed and a prosperous country. ” – Prime Minister Andrew Holness.
Jamaica has been seeking ‘Reparations’ for decades. Emancipation Park, a rare jewel located in the heart of Kingston City was created as a refuge for many who seek solitude and a soothing ambience away from the hustle and bustle of daily living. It is there many of the protestors gathered and urged the British Monarchy to contend with their history during the royal couple’s trip.
In honor of Jamaica’s 60th Independence Anniversary, Kristen Laing (Jamaica’s Cultural Development Commission PR Coordinator) said this year’s theme celebration is ” Reigniting A Nation For Greatness”. As Jamaica moves forward in becoming republic and implementing a full democracy, it is an example that more countries should follow.
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