The Integrity Commission wishes the African community a happy Emancipation Day and takes the opportunity to congratulate the African community for their part in nation-building.
Emancipation Day is a joyous day, and a day of reflection. Why do we remember? We are formed by memory, including ancestral memory. If we see nations as social constructions, the trauma of slavery is embedded in our national consciousness, impelling us to remember. It is an impulse that we cannot ignore. We pass on memories for our future survival.
As we look to the future, we can be proud to say that Trinidad and Tobago is a free, democratic nation created by industrious, virtuous and resilient people. We must carry on these traits and continue fighting against any residual discriminatory practices.
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