Dawn of A New Beginning (Be Emancipated)
What could possibly be more amazing than a marvelous sunrise and a spectacular rainbow? They are the signs of the dawn of a new beginning. The display of light and colors are magnificent beyond belief, and yet they go virtually unnoticed by millions each day. Beyond that, the meaning of the rainbow is even more spectacular, because it heralds the dawn of a new day, a day filled with bright possibilities and opportunities.
In a vast expanse beyond imagination, the sun which shines through the rain, which lights our every day is our main source of warmth, light, and life. The distance to the next closest star we cannot even comprehend, much less traverse in a thousand lifetimes. But everyday the sun appears around the horizon each morning and making it all possible for us to see a beautiful rainbow.
And so here we are today — warm, bright, full of life and energy in memory of that historic day, in this historic location to celebrate the dawn of a New Beginning.
Historic Day
We have come together in memory of that historic morning of July 1, 1863, when our freedom loving ancestors chanted the "Brim song" and moved their hips to the beats of drums and danced the "Ponum" around the July Tree, waving its branches in jubilation. It was their Deliverance Day. A day, they, and before them their fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, have tirelessly for; the day to be free.
Emancipation had come from the unholy institution of slavery, but the vestiges of colonialism remained. But our people did not give up the struggle for human dignity, freedom, justice and more autonomy. The history of our colonial and constitutional past is well-documented. It is all about a desire to be free.
It is in this spirit of advancement that 9 years ago on June 23rd a majority on St. Maarten voted to leave the Netherlands Antilles and become an autonomous country in the Dutch Kingdom. In the days, weeks and months ahead of us the negotiations and discussions will continue, with the other partners in the Kingdom, and we look forward to St. Maarten achieving its new status of Country within the kingdom.
Our government believes that we, who are entrusted with responsibility to represent the people’s interests, must set aside partisan political concerns and seek common ground through which the people’s purpose would be best served and their dreams realized. United we stand divided we fall. Therefore, a united front is only possible when we set aside all political differences and colors to fulfill the mandate of the people of St. Maarten. We regard this mandate of the People of St. Maarten to leave the Netherlands Antilles and establish ourselves as a Country Within the Kingdom as sacred and non-negotiable. Today, I can assure you our emancipation is continuing, and that St. Maarten will be a country before the end of 2010! But there is plenty of work still to be done – work, that we must do, together.
Historic Place
We have also come to this historic place because we believe that government should take the lead in preserving our island history and natural environment. Emilio Wilson, the man after whom this park is named, understood the interconnected relationships between heritage, nature and existence. That is why he saved this estate until his death for future generations.
Emilio Johan Wilson was born in Santo Domingo to St. Martin parents in August 1911. He lived on the Estate while it was still a sugar cane plantation and he also raised cattle. ‘
We were told that there were 49 slaves on this estate who lived in 24 slave huts. Their remains are still buried in this land. We are told that Emilio’s great grand-mother was a slave on one of the plantations.
We are also told that Emilio bought the Plantation Industry and Golden Rock from his former employer Lenora Rodenhuis van Romondt for 25.000 guilders when he was still a very young man. He held on to it until his death. If you look closely you will see the foundation of an old sugar mill, the ruins of Millard Clinic (the first health center on St. Maarten) and the old boiler room where Emilio lived. But before Emilio died, he gave St. Maarten this gift of enormous historical and ecological value. So we are today to also pay tribute to this St. Maarten hero and to pledge our commitment to environmental conservation and preservation, and in particular preserving this treasured park as a national monument.
It is darkest just before dawn
Both goals-that is environmental preservation and country status—require commitment and perseverance. Commitment means doing whatever it takes to ensure that the words and songs, rituals and traditions will live on. Whatever it takes — not whatever is most comfortable. When things were darkest, and the storm clouds were gathering around, our ancestors stuck with their dreams because they knew they were almost there. They knew the value of staying in the fight until it was won. The mountain is steepest at the summit, but that’s no reason to turn back. When others complain and about what we don’t have, stop for a moment to consider what incredible things we do have. And let us resolve to make the most of it all. Let all that has happened before serve as a guide but not as a constraint or stumbling block.
Each day is a new beginning with which we can build our country upon the best of what has been. Each day we can move forward to make life even better for our people. Today is a new day. Never before has life held as much promise as it does on this very day. We stand in this moment at a beautiful new beginning, full of promise and possibility. Let us make it the best we can possibly imagine.
We’ve made it this far by faith. It is always darkest just before dawn. Weeping endures for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Let us keep going a little longer and we’ll see the sun rise on a beautiful new day. Whatever else it may hold for you, today is a new beginning, an opportunity to move forward with renewed hope and purpose.