THE EDITOR, Sir:ONE OF the most powerful men of this nation, the Chairman of the National Housing Trust and Head of the Emancipation Park, Mr. Kingsley Thomas, was quoted in a front page article in one of our national newspapers emphasising that the Emancipation Statue would not be removed, except by the approval of the Prime Minister of Jamaica. In this regard, I am sending this open letter to the Most. Hon. P. J. Patterson, Prime Minister of Jamaica for his attention and consideration.
THE POINT OF POSTERITY
We are in an era where the global black community is making every effort to regain our dignity which was snatched from us centuries ago. We as a Caribbean nation know the history of our foreparents, and the indignities they were forced to suffer in their fight for freedom and emancipation. I have personally viewed the Emancipation Park, which I must confess, is absolutely beautiful. However, as I stood and viewed the statue, my entire body shivered with anger, as the memories of the horror stories I learnt as a high school and college student in Nigeria came flooding back. It is my understanding from both primary and secondary sources that especially during the period 1890 to 1915, when black people were unable to pay their taxes, they were dragged to the open market or another such public place, stripped naked before everyone in view as a means of punishment.
Most Honourable Prime Minister, the nakedness of our foreparents are again exposed to the public, at a location for all to see. Each time I drive past, my heart cries within me to see our foreparents once again stripped naked and left in the public, open place for everyone to see them.
The Bible makes it clear that nakedness is not to be accepted as the norm. Regardless of the message that the undoubtedly talented Laura Facey-Cooper was trying to send, I am sure it could have been done in a less controversial and more dignified way not one depicted by nakedness.
According to the scriptures, nakedness should be covered. "Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out, when you see the naked, that you cover him, and not hide yourself from your own flesh?" (Isaiah 58:7). See also St. Matthew 25:36; St. James 2:15-16.
It is my heartfelt opinion that by the erection of this statue, we are openly insulting the dignity of our foreparents and by extension, the entire black race. I do believe that at this stage of our emancipation, the dignity of our foreparents should be fiercely guarded, and not exposed to the ridicule of the world.
THE SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS
Laura Cooper claims that the idea for the creation of this statue was born from meditation. What does this mean? A statue is a visible sign of something invisible. An artist's work is seen in a visible way but often, there is a hidden meaning to it. As a case in point, I will share an experience I had with a Rastaman recently in Hanover who was working on a wood carving. It was the precise image of Ramses II, Pharoah of Egypt, which, incidentally, I was studying at the time. I asked the good Rastaman how he got the image of Ramses II and he said he saw it during one of his meditations. He did not even know who the image was. "This wisdom does not descend from above, but it is earthly, sensual, demonic" (St. James 3:15).
God has promised through several of His servants that Jamaica will experience a great spiritual revival that will have many nations coming to her shores to share the experience. God is about to pour His Spirit upon this land. The Emancipation Statue is a spiritual interference to God's plans. Let me explain.
Symbols and statues have two meanings the exoteric and the esoteric meaning. The exoteric meaning is that which is invented or a modified explanation intended for the public to understand. Therefore, what Mrs. Cooper has told the nation is the exoteric explanation of the meaning of the statue.
The esoteric meaning is, however, hidden. It is the original meaning understood only by a few and closely guarded by them in the spirit realm. Charles G. Berger, author of the book Our Phallic Heritage explains that religion in the previous times was demonstrated by sexual organs until man's civilisation and ideas of morals changed. Berger believed that the sacred mysteries of sex worship is connected to many ancient religions and closely guarded by the initiate. Since the nature of many symbols is now concealed under other guises, the average person no longer realises the vulgarity behind many of them (p.48-49). Symbols are often used to reach humans and invest in man the ability to respond to the invisible world.
The water at the base of the statues also has very significant spiritual implications. The atmospheric world connects directly to the earth by way of water or the sea. Water spirits will be feeding the spiritual intentions of the statues, and our people will be in spiritual bondage. The power of the astral world, with its water-based connections, will seek to control the human population in very subtle ways.
What definite spiritual implications could this statue have on our nation. I am submitting the following for your consideration:
1. Unusual sexual behaviours that may be difficult to control may be released upon the land as perversion against the principles of God.
2. The land may experience nakedness in the form of famine and lack, caused by increased crime and violence, and disobedience to authority.
3. The hearts of many will be drawn away from God because of the demonic influence of the statue.
"And you he made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others" (Ephesians 2:1-3).
Most Honourable Prime Minister, the spiritual future of this country, Jamaica land we love, is in your hands. Jamaica is poised for a great spiritual revival. Please, do not let us do anything that will cause an intrusion that can negate the intentions of God for this nation.
I am, etc.,
BISHOP JOSEPH ADE-GOLD
President
Overcomers Christian International
105k Red Hills Road
Kingston 19
