PAN-AFRICAN DAY

February 8th

There is a need to annually observe a special day in recognition of the famous Pan-African movement. Every year on February 8th (during Black History Month) Pan-African Day will be celebrated to honour the academics, activists, supporters, radical voices and leaders associated with the Pan-African movement. Major economic, cultural social and religious systems have been shaped by this worldwide movement which was initiated among the African diaspora.

The trauma of slavery using labour from Africa made many Africans feel a longing to return to Africa. Throughout the centuries there have been individuals and groups advocating for the return of those Africans who were forcefully uprooted from Africa. As a result of this terrible slave trade, Africa, the home of human civilization, suffered immense cultural, economic, social and human losses.

The expressions for a longing to return to their homeland materialized in the hosting of Pan-African Conferences. The year 2000 marks the 100th anniversary of the 1900 Pan-African Conference held in England by Henry Sylvester-Williams. A series of similar international conferences were held throughout the twentieth century attracting leading Black personalities.

I am hoping that the celebration of Pan African Day on February 8th will ensure that the spirit and enthusiasm of the Pan-African conferences will be continued in the 21st century.

The dreams and aspirations of a generation of Pan-Africanists and supporters must not vanish !!

Let the sons and daughters of Mother Africa unite in the homeland’s greatest hour of need. Complete physical separation from Africa could never be achieved. Thus, among the African diaspora there will always be ancestral links with Africa. Likewise the rest of the world’s population cannot deny their links with Africa as scientific evidence has proven that this planet’s first humans originated from Africa. Acknowledging and appreciating this historical commonality between Africans and non-Africans is a vital step in racial harmony.

For further information contact Jerome Teelucksingh, 522 Riverside Drive, Lange Park, Chaguanas, Trinidad, West Indies.

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