Questions Over Freedom Fighters' Hopes Highlighted in 175th Emancipation Day's Call for Unity and Change
Acknowledgement of the magnitude of the effort that led to self-liberation and a focus on expanding freedom in current and future generations — these were two of the themes threading through Emancipation Day celebrations and ceremonies in the U.S. Virgin Islands on Monday.
2023-07-05 13:23:20 - VI News Staff
Of the comprehensive program of activities organized by the 175th Emancipation Celebration Committee to mark a milestone anniversary of the defining moment in history, when thousands of enslaved Danish West Indians gathered in Frederiksted to demand their freedom. The two themes were echoed most prominently by speakers at ceremonies on St. Croix and St. John.
“Our emancipation story is an unquenchable determination for freedom, and a burning desire for justice that will not be denied,” said Emancipation Committee Chair Carole Burke, as she spoke during the St. Croix gathering at the Budhoe Park in Frederiksted. Keynote speaker Roslyn Brock, chairman emeritus of the NAACP Image Board of Directors put it plainly: “Today is a day of celebration, as we recognize that we stand on the shoulders of giants who were self liberators who literally took their freedom.”
Emancipation represents the hard-fought freedom of Africans brought to the Caribbean as slaves to work in plantations. Among the most revered was the enslaved laborer John Gottlieb, called General Buddhoe, who was a leading rebel during the July 1848 Slave Rebellion in Frederiksted, St. Croix. It was during that time that Danish-led slavery on St. Croix — called the Danish West Indies at the time — was abolished by Governor-General Peter von Scholten, who is believed to have signed a prior agreement with General Budhoe to abolish slavery.
“Yes, we see the paper was signed, why was it signed? Not because they gave it to us. But because our African ancestors demanded it; we would not leave that day until freedom had come,” said a performer on St. John following a dramatic presentation on the life of Anna Heygaard and her influence on Governor General Peter Van Holten to first petition the Danish King for social reform, and then to appease the demands of the multitudes that gathered on July 3, 1848 to insist on their immediate emancipation.