“The freedom they fought for was the freedom of all humanity,” says Pres. Ali at Emancipation dinner
President Irfaan Ali on Saturday reminded all that the freedom our African Guyanese fought for was for all humanity while noting that restricting this struggle to them would be doing great injustice to this ethnic group.
The Head of State made these remarks while addressing a gathering at an Emancipation dinner and cultural event held at State House.
“Our African brothers and sisters and ancestors paid dearly with their lives. The harness of what they went through can never be overstated. But the dignity of the struggle, the broadness, and the wideness of the struggle was for the dignity of all humanity.”
The President posited that the freedom which our men and women of African descent fought for must never “ever” be taken lightly.
In fact, President Ali said that it was not a movement against slavery but rather a movement that identified humanity as a collective whole.
“It is those of us, who seek to fracture the family of humanity, using different models and modes that are not doing justice to the family of humanity and the ultimate sacrifices those made in removing slavery and removing hardship and allowing freedom to come to the world,” President Ali posited.
He continued, “It was not only freedom for the Africans. No, no, no! Let us understand that this freedom was much larger. This freedom that we are speaking of was a freedom that sought to uplift humanity. It was a freedom that led to a certain degree of confidence in led to people aspiring to be better.”
ONE GUYANA
The Guyanese Leader also talked up his “One Guyana” initiative, which he said will help Guyanese enjoy “prosperity” and “growth” together in unity.
“Every time you come to State house, every time you embrace us in the government, you are embracing an idea, and you are embracing a willingness to join us together in the building of a One Guyana,” the Head of State said.
RESIST RACISM, DENOUNCE HATE AND EMBRACE HUMAN DIGNITY
Pointing out that Emancipation laid the foundation for every society to act and work freely, President Ali said that all must honour the sacrifice made by our African brothers and sisters by resisting racism, denouncing hate, and embracing human dignity.
“This struggle is an evolving struggle, but the struggle has different forms and different shapes. The struggle underpins the importance of the power of democracy, the rule of law, and the upliftment of all the people.
“We would do a great injustice for those who fought so hard for the freedom we enjoy if we believe we could work in an undemocratic environment. If you believe the rule of law does not exist, then the upliftment of people will not occur because the foundation and platform that support the upliftment must be there.”
