WILLEMSTAD — With the commemoration of 150 years abolition of slavery next year,
Curaçao will demand an apology and recovery money for the evils of
slavery. Minister Carlos Monk of Administration, Planning and Service,
and currently interim Minister of Culture (PS) said this...during the unveiling of the commemoration stone for 29 slaves who had to
pay for their liberation fight in 1795 with their life.The
pain caused by the colonial past hasn’t been acknowledged for ages,
according to Monk. In the picture, Monk and the Young Watch unveil the
commemoration stone for the 29 slaves who died during the slave
rebellion in 1795.
The ceremony was held on the Queen’s Birthday for a mere handful of
invitees at the National Archives. In his speech, Monk emphasized the
self-sacrificing ability of these 29 slaves who influenced the course of
the Curaçao history. “They were the forerunners, showing us how to
fight for our freedom now. Their execution is the reflection of the
colonial cruelty to rule over our people; through the years, this
colonial oppression adopted other forms but the aim of the colonial
power is unchanged: namely to rule over our people. However, their
execution made them immortal, martyrs and heroes, and simultaneously
their executioners are condemned for all eternity.”
According to Monk, if we don’t commemorate the sacrifice of these
heroes, there’ll be no rousing or motivating the fighting spirit amid
the people to fight against this injustice or whatever form of
exploitation. “That’s why this tribute and recognition are necessary;
there’re instruments to build a real foundation for our people; the
basis of our fatherland. How can we say we’re a nation if we don’t
recognize our own heroes? The deeds of these men, under inhumane
circumstances, with empty hands, practically unarmed, must always serve
as inspiration – to believe in our ability, strength, and capacity to
battle, and destination.”
According to the Minister, the island has been fighting for its
freedom for 217 years and is prepared to engage battle with more
intensity. “Just like many of our forefathers, many of us present here
and the next generations are prepared to give their life for our
freedom. 217 years ago, we (Curaçao citizens) were born at the moment of
self-sacrifice of the heroes we honor today.”
The Minister also elaborated on the present-day powers that should be
eliminated. “Nowadays, we mustn’t only fight against the colonial power
but also develop the critical awareness so we can combat bad habits and
egoism that enslave us. Nowadays, we have to fight against the
individualism that divides us and weakens the power of unity and the
society, the system that enhances consumerism instead of a sense of
public responsibility.” The same supposedly applies for the media that
bends the truth to one’s will and supports the neocolonial system and
other forms of human exploitation. According to the Minister, the battle
is therefore a battle for an independent and sovereign people.
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