By Spokesman Newsroom
BASSETERRE, St. Kitts (Tuesday 25th January 2023)- Member of the Nyahbinhi Theocracy Order Ras Iya is appealing for the education system in St. KittsNevis to highlight the historical 1935 Buckley’s Uprising for the development of the nation’s youth.
“It’s not enough information sharing on the grounds that the youth need to gravitate the importance of this history that made a turning point to St. Kitts and Nevis but the whole wide section of the Caribbean because in the early days of the plight that our ancestors were taken on but that plight was able to give a different status quo of how were were facing over those years seeing how we’re seeing [ourselves] up to this day under those conditions they were facing, it would not have been easy for us.
So we say, it’s time the education system play a critical role in making sure that the schools are alert with information this year when they even conclude that the following dialogue will go within the education system.” He made the disclosure during an interview with this media house on Monday 24th January 2023, days before the 88th anniversary event slated to take place on Saturday 28th January at Buckley’s Estate Grounds in the west Basseterre community. This year’s theme is ‘Recognising,Embracing, Restoring and Preserving the Legacy of Our Martyrs of the Buckley’s Uprising 1935’ which according to Ras Iya is a theme “while in the 21st century to outline the sacrifice of our ancestors and the theme is bringing a reflection on how we as a Nyahbingi Theocracy Order have seen the anag of our people in that time to be respected at this event.
Ras Iya went on to say: “On that premise of seeing the education system structure develop to create the youths… not by racism because we’re not [pushing] any racism context but to ensure that our youths understand the cry and the plight that was made in 1935 because we realize some things turning in this world right now … where we see wars and rumours of wars impacting. At that time in 1935, it was an uprising to stand for equal rights, it was a stand for social change [and] it was a stand for economical change because the plight was to get a wage [procedure] because other estates had get an increase but [not at] those estates located in the Basseterre area and other estates out of Basseterre…” Ras Iya pointed out that the organisation has always taken the initiative in bringing forth this celebration as a commemorative reference of our ancestors, and today that is what we’re looking at ensuring that our ancestors be remembered in the eyes of our history He highlighted that at this year’s event, seven individuals will each receive an award plaque noting one of whom was involved as part of the initiative step in the uprising in the person of Thomas Fergus whom “we are highlighting him as a major factor in celebrating the uprising.” As gathered, Ferguson faced “five-year jail time in Antigua and Barbuda and so we say we will have this time reminiscing of him and through his family will be partaking in the event.” In expressing more gratitude about the role of ancestors in the fight for social equality, he further stated: “we are thankful to our ancestors to be able to have that stand and fought for social equality, and when we say social equality …we showing how people were living under a state of deplorable condition even in the population growth, our people was facing at a death rate… so they were marginalized in all forms not just by the economic status but in our livelihood so we had something that could give us the sense of urge to change that kind of lifestyle that we were facing…” “We know that the young generation have to be impacted as to why they are having these opportunities.
Our education system has changed a lot compared to what our ancestors were facing in 1935,” Ras Iya added. Front Banner Image: This 2019 photo shows 86yearold Viola Warner, daughter of John Allen who was one of the 1935 Buckley’s Uprising honourees who lost his life on her 2nd birthday.
In the image, she receives special gifts (including a plaque) at a yearly tribute event organised by the Rastafari Theocracy Order, presented to her by the then reigning Haynes Smith Miss Caribbean Talented Teen and also reigning Miss Washington Archibald High (WAHS) queen Anya Seethal while her daughter Emelita Warner-Paul (well-known educator and formerWAHS teacher) looks on. (Spokesman Snap)
