On August 1, 2007, a new monument was unveiled in Jamaica in a joint ceremony by the Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT) and the Jamaica National Bicentenary Committee (JNBC). The monument, called by the JNHT which constructed it, a 'freedom monument', although it ought to be properly called a war memorial, is intended to honour those who were tried and punished for daring to fight to overthrow the obscenity that was the system of African enslavement in Jamaica.

Of the over 600 names inscribed on the monument, maybe just one - that of its leader Sam Sharpe - is well known to most Jamaicans. But as we say in Jamaica, 'one han alone cannot clap'. As we celebrate yet another Emancipation Day in the island, let us pause to reflect on that important war of liberation and honour, not just its leader Sam Sharpe, now a national hero, but all those who should be accorded the status of war heroes and heroines. That 1831-32 Emancipation War was instrumental in cementing Jamaican freedom; for just one year later the British passed the Emancipation Act.

Space will not allow for the recalling of all of the 600+ victims, but a sample from documents in the British National Archives (CO 137/185) will suffice - lest we forget.

Verene A. Shepherd is professor of history at UWI, Mona. Feedback may be sent to columns@gleanerjm.com.