Sam Sharpe
One hundred and eighty-eight years after his death, Sam Sharpe Day is a reality. December 27 has been proclaimed Sam Sharpe Day by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen. It has certainly took successive Jamaican governments long enough to recognise and commemorate the significant role Sam Sharpe played in organising the Christmas Rebellion of 1831, which was a catalyst for the abolition of slavery. The Sam Sharpe Rebellion, or the Christmas Rebellion, ushered in calls for emancipation, both in Jamaica and in England, where abolitionists worked on the legislation to free the enslaved Africans.
So great was Sharpe’s contribution to the abolition of slavery that it warrants more than a Sam Sharpe Day; indeed, a national holiday would be most appropriate. Sharpe’s contribution to modern-day Jamaica is incalculable. His worth has been under-represented for years. To add insult to injury, the teaching of history education is optional, and as such, many Jamaicans are not aware of Sharpe’s monumental and vital role towards the path to emancipation. Reverend Devon Dick wrote in a newspaper article,