Caption: The 165th Anniversary Emancipation Committee, (L-R): Fabian A. Badejo, Xiomara Balentina, Shujah Reiph, Morenika Arrindell, Ras Bushman, Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, and Theophilus Thompson. (CLF Photo)
A committee was recently launched to commemorate the 165th anniversary of the Emancipation from slavery in 1848 for both parts of St. Martin, said Shujah Reiph, president of Conscious Lyrics Foundation (CLF).
The committee is made up of organizations and individuals that are involved in the cultural life of the island.
The year "2013 marks the 165th anniversary of St. Martin’s Emancipation, and we are inviting the people of St. Martin to celebrate the 1848 mark of freedom claimed by our ancestors and what it means to us today, with a number of events and activities," said Reiph.
The plans of the committee include the painting of a mural, an art exhibition, a commemorative calendar, hoisting of the Unity/National Flag, showing of the Alex Halley classic movie Roots, panel discussions, and a freedom concert.
The commemoration begins on February 1, at the start of the 22nd annual Black History Celebration (BHC) hosted by CLF, and is scheduled to conclude on January 1, 2014, the seventh day of Kwanzaa.
The Emancipation committee consists of Dr. Rhoda Arrindell, Fabian A. Badejo, Theophilus Thompson, Shujah Reiph, Xiomara Balentina, Ras Bushman, and Morenika Arrindell.