Turn St. Isidore holiday into ‘Africa Day’

Henry Shillingford

One of the organizers of African Liberation Day activities on May 25 has expressed disappointment about opposition to the idea of making the day a public holiday.

Participants in a recent DNO poll voted 417 against to 309 for, when asked whether or not the day should be declared a public holiday.

Lawyer/activist Henry Shillingford says as one of the advocates for the holiday, he is disappointed the idea does not have the kind of support he thinks it should have.

“It’s a very important issue about the holiday because we’re (CARICOM, OECS) African governments, and as I have reminded two prime ministers, both this one (Roosevelt Skerrit) and the one in St Vincent (Dr Ralph Gonsalves), is that they are prime ministers of countries that are predominantly African, and that there is no holiday recognizing Africa in the West Indies,” Shillingford told DNO.

He wants DNO to ask readers “do they know why it’s a holiday on May 28 2012?”

“In fact it is the feast of St Isidore, it’s a major feast, a major fete and partying in the villages of Dominica, specifically San Sauveur and Grandbay. Now I did a small poll in Grandbay on my own of significant cultural actors, and I’ll tell you not one of them knew what was the significance of St Isidore or St Isidore Monday – but it’s a holiday,” Shillingford, a Rastafarian, said.

He is recommending that the St Isidore holiday be turned into “Africa Day” on May 25.

He describes the St. Isidore holiday (the date varies but it’s usually at the end of May) as “clearly an old Catholic (Church) holiday” that nobody cares about, according to Shillingford.

“People don’t celebrate St Isidore now, all they do is fete,” the activist said when asked whether the Catholic feast and African Liberation Day could share a holiday on May 25.

“They could go to church and celebrate Africa.  Let them have a holiday, at least they know why they are having a holiday,” he suggested.

According to the attorney, that’s preferable to having “holidays for Catholic saints that we know nothing about, that have no significance to the people’s lives”.

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111 Comments

  1. Francisco Telemaque
    May 18, 2012

    This will be my final input on the matter!

    After reading it all, I found that there are many who tired desperately hard to convince people using actual lies in their effort to justify why Dominicans should recognize some African holiday which does not exist on the continent of Africa.

    Some people talk about a black Holocaust perpetrated on Black Germans by Germany’s Hitler sometime during his reign of terror; and his barbaric act against the Jews.

    That to me is unfounded, and cannot be substantiated.

    If what we say is not true then it must be a lie, especially when some of us has done research on the subject and never found any truth in this regard. Now if someone claimed that Hitler’s intention was to first annihilate the Jews, and then every other complexion of people; that most of us would have to agree was his plan, because we know of his plans for a supper race.

    Not only Jews and blacks would be murdered by Hitler’s diabolic scheme, his intention was to eliminate certain whites who did not posses certain characteristic. I am quite certain many have heard of the ” supper race ” of people Hitler intended to create; ultimately he began experimenting on whites, killing thousands of white Germans in the process.

    These Germans were not Jews, but they were not Aryan enough according to Hitler’s standards.

    If a white person in Germany was born with any form of disability, or became mentally ill in Hitler’s Germany, that person was taken out of society, and used in Hitler’s experiments.

    There is documentary proof of that!

    Back to this thing ” African Liberation Movement;” when we are talking about Africa, we are not talking about a single nation, as the United States, or Canada, with different provinces. In Africa there many different nations operating under different flags, different Presidents, of which 99% of them are dictators,

    So to emphasize the word ” African Liberation Day ” does not even make much sense since we do not have an United African Nation; so what would we be celebrating anyway?

    You see, the Africans do not even think of West Indians as Africans, or people of African decent. We are referred to by most Africans as ” Sons and Daughters of Slaves.”

    This boy here, the Kid from the mud of Wesley experience that in Harlow Essex England, first hand in 1976; in as much as some of us would like to be accepted as Africans, or descendants of Africans, they do not recognize us as part of them or Africa!

    As I said before I was involved in the African Liberation movement on the island of Antigua, and I am here to inform even Shillingford, that African Liberation day which originated in the Caribbean, is nothing more than a celebration of communism, and not the freedom of any African nation.

    In America we here the word ” Quansar; ” I do not know if I spelt that word correctly, however, the majority of Black Americans believe it means Christmas, thus they celebrate this thing, nonetheless, the first time I ask an African who attended a University I attended, how do they refer to Christmas in his country, he told me Christmas.

    It was then I found out that the word ” Quansar” was coined by a Black University professor working at Cal State Long Beach, right here in California; he had people such as Don Gosset, a black movie actor compounded it, thus many black here no longer say Christmas.

    So that is the same baloney as African Liberation Day!

    African Liberation day is irrelevant to Dominica.

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

  2. forreal
    May 18, 2012

    the irony here is all these socalled catholic christians here who does not have a sense in what the man is saying and quick to defend roman catholicism,these empty headed people do not realise that the romans are the ones responsible for state of the world today,they were the ones who invaded jerusalem,they were the ones who crucified christ,they were ones who rejected the government of god,christ mission was to restablish the kingdom of david and solomon his forfathers,and thus enforce the governance of god on earth,our father who art in heaven thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as in heaven,but as with the same type of people we have here withen dominican society greedy power hungry pharisees and srcibs upperclass,who have the totall knowlege and prophecy of god,instead chose not to believe,because it has always been about rich and poor, upper and lower class,how could this low class be the son of god,to rule over the whole world,african liberation is the educational key to restore what was grossly manupilated,dominican people need to be educated,some are very ignorant,some dont even know that the ark of the covenant of god is in ethiopia,and yet still they question sellasie not knowing that god has always have a kingdom right here on earth,as part of an everlasting covenant,withen the tribe of judah,catholicism is a blindfold,same as in the days of christ,some never understood bob marley,like chubby ones said his music is not for dancing,but for the message in his songs,same as bob marley,they took the message out and loved the dance beat,how good and how pleasent it would be before god and man,to see the unification of all africans,as it been said in the past let it be done,unite for benefit of our people,unite see what has befallen our children,they have become drug dealers and murderers,unite ALD,unite so we can save the world and find favor with a kind and loving mercifull god,who’s mercy has always been there from old,the problem we the people face with god will never go away,stop allowing modern times to clog our reallity’s.

  3. Rasben
    May 18, 2012

    There is a book written by Tom Burrell called Brainwashed. I would encourage many of the readers to this site to explore it as there too many people running away from their ancestry. The transatlantic crossing had a devasting effect on the psychology of African descendants. Some of us are absolutely lost. By the way, religion has not been particularly kind to us.

  4. 2 cents
    May 18, 2012

    I am no way linked to an African. I am a Dominican till the day i die. Africans refuse to accept us a their own but yet still Rastas say they are. So I put it to you Mr. Rasta please go to africa take over the people’s land and commit one crime and see where they would say you are from. They are going to say a Dominican National …………….. so please behave your self you are a Dominican. If God wanted you to be an African, he would make u born there

    • annon
      May 18, 2012

      2 cents, i applaud you for your comments. you have my full support on that.

    • Anonymous
      May 18, 2012

      ur boo boo u we are all AFRICANS.yes i am dominican till i die.and ur retarded rasta didn t go to africa to take over. iths our homeland.so GREESPANS AND CATLIC behave all u self. if u turn GOD around u get DOG.so dont discriminate

      • Justice and Truth
        May 18, 2012

        @ Anonymous

        What are you talking about? Some of you envision what does not exist and never existed.

    • Anoushah Alie
      May 18, 2012

      That is such an ignorant comment! Shame on you and the current 6 people who gave your comment ‘thumbs up!’ Yes, you are linked to Africa and it is somewhere in your pedigree; slavery made its way to Dominica, and we are all products of both Caribe and African!

      • Justice and Truth
        May 18, 2012

        @ Anoushah

        Some are for and against this type of holiday. Those who support it and think they are Africans must think deeply and realize that Dominicans are of mixed heritage and do not really belong to one heritage.

  5. Orisha
    May 18, 2012

    Henry don’t give up. You have eyes to see shall one day see.

    • Justice and Truth
      May 18, 2012

      @ Orisha

      What happened to Henry? I know his family since I was a student at the CHS. If I am correct, his mother taught at the CHS. His parents were extremely nice people, prominent people in Roseau. His family are nice people. I always thought that he was nice too. Henry is brainwashed by following bad company which corrupts. I am unable to comprehend that he has turned against his upbringing and a religious one at that and now considers himself a Rasta and an African. Looking at him, he has no visible sign of African blood in him. If he has he should make it known. Therefore I would like to know what he is up to.

  6. Shameless
    May 18, 2012

    What Africa Day? Everyday is Africa day as far as I am concerned. Africans on the continent don’t even get along muchless to celebrate an Africa day. Mr. please exert that energy into something more productive.

  7. injustice and unfair
    May 17, 2012

    the first word is IF. not I

  8. injustice and unfair
    May 17, 2012

    I alyou so love Africa and sooooooooooo proud of alyou roots,take alyou family and move to Africa.

  9. injustice and unfair
    May 17, 2012

    What hell Africa day. All if alyou that talking Africa Africa , all alyou children going to school and living in the United States. Alyou running to the U.S every chance you get. So why don’t you all just pack alyou stuff and move to Africa then?

    • someone
      May 18, 2012

      i second that… why dont they at least go to vacation in Africa

  10. May 17, 2012

    we should be open minded but simply calling for another holiday without justification is not good enough.too much LIP service about african unity and liberation. Let your works be seen. Play a sincere and genuine to help Africa out of the chaos and anarchy which is taking place there and some can start to behave as law abiding citizens.

  11. Justice and Truth
    May 17, 2012

    What is this nonsense about having an African holiday in Dominica? I personally would vote against it.
    Why pick on St. Isidore, the patron of the parish – village? What is the matter with you? Are you possessed? It appears so to me.
    I love to say that I am a Dominican of African and French ancestry. I have a history and so should be recognized as such. We cannot claim to be solely Africans. What has happened to the other race, the other side of our heritage? Are we to ignore it? By no means!
    We do know the history of Dominica which once belonged to the French and through wars the British and French fought. Then the British paid the French a few francs to get out of Dominica. Many of the names in villages are French, also the mountains and rivers. We speak a French patois/Creole. Dominica is more prominently French than African. What do we have as Africans, some, the dark pigmentation? Yet, we are of two races. In all fairness, no one can take this away from us.
    We do not speak an African language. This in itself should cause us not to establish an African holiday and to abandon the thought of ever establishing one in Dominica. Otherwise, let us establish a French holiday in Dominica as well or a British one for we are all people of two races. Yet, we cannot claim them as our own or identify with them and say that we belong to those countries. People who are true nationals of those countries are those who were born in those countries. Those of us who were born in Dominica are true nationals of Dominica, daughters and sons of the soil. We can claim Dominica as our own and rightfully so.
    Dominicans are not full-fledged Africans and some more prominently so because of the pigmentation of their skin. Dominicans are of a mixed race. If anything, they should be recognized as such, African-French (from France); African-British and so on, whichever comes first; or French-African; British-African and so on. African should not even precede those other countries and be dominant. It should be half-half. We cannot view ourselves as solely Africans and exclude our other heritage.
    Our African ancestors have long gone to eternity. It is good to know both our roots and not only one. We could be teaching about our African ancestors and how they were brought to the West Indies but to establish an African holiday? How about also teaching about our French and British roots.
    I have considered that those who are of a mixed race do not have a race. We cannot call ourselves Africans in the true sense of the word. How many Dominican nationals have visited Africa? The African culture is totally different from ours and vice versa. Therefore, it is stupidity in itself to want to establish an African holiday in Dominica. Does Africa have ‘an African holiday’? I wonder does the U.S. have an African holiday. The Africans will never recognize us as Africans; also the French and British even though one side of our ancestors was nationals of those countries.
    How many Dominicans know their African roots; their French roots and their British roots? Those who keep harping on, we view white people as God which we do not, should comprehend that the majority of us, if not all of us have ‘white blood’ in us due to our heritage. It is not only African blood. This should make us comprehend this situation.
    It is a waste of our God-given allotted precious time to keep discussing and arguing about African culture in that an African holiday should be proclaimed and observed in Dominica. Africans do not care two hoots about Dominica and its nationals. They probably would laugh at us should an African holiday be established in Dominica. They may say, “For what and why?”
    When you are arguing the point about this so-called holiday, please leave the Catholic Church out of it. This has absolutely nothing to do with the Catholic Church. I do know the devil is in the offing otherwise you would not include the Catholic Church in your propaganda, you who were obviously once a baptized Catholic and a practicing one, now turned Rasta, renounced your Christian roots and are against Christianity in general. One of your ancestors is also no doubt from Great Britain. As all of us, you are not an African. Have you visited Africa? How many Africans do you know?
    Let us spend more time on loving and caring for one another, performing good works in Jesus’ Name who is the One and Only Lord, King and Savior of the world. This is what God wants us to do that we may live a relatively happy and peaceful life and ultimately obtain eternal salvation. This is more beneficial to us and permanently so than having an African holiday. How far will this get Dominica and its nationals and how beneficial will it be?

  12. Tolerance Advocate
    May 17, 2012

    In Dominica there is a need to recognize our African Heritage. It is an important and to some extent an uninformed part of our heritage. There is need for an Africa Recognition Day. I think that it could be twined with some of the Days such as Emancipation Day (August Monday) or Wit Monday or even Labor Day, that to some extent has been loosing their significance.
    To me the whole African Liberation Day proposal does not resonate well with me, but an African Recognition Day will have more of a non political slant and would focus more on the exploration and embracing of our African Heritage.

    • Justice and Truth
      May 17, 2012

      @ Tolerance Advocate

      We should also have a need to recognize our French and British heritage. This in itself is tolerance.

  13. zang
    May 17, 2012

    Man the Village is celebrating a church feast which happens to fall on Whit Monday. Internationally its Whit Monday. The two parishes celebrate the Feast of St. Isidore.
    Henry is Rasta, its a Catholic Feast. I wonder if its only from that angle he is trying to irradicate the Catholic Feast Day

    • Justice and Truth
      May 17, 2012

      @ zang

      I wonder about it myself. It is harassing the Catholic Church. This is the evil influence of Satan, the father of lies, divider, detractor and destroyer of souls who knows which Church is The One and Only True Church that Our Lord Jesus Christ established on earth. One day they will find out their error. It probably may be too late for them.
      This is what happens when they turn Rasta and worship a human being whom God created, a soul that may not be in Heaven at all. Those who reject worshipping our God Almighty for worshipping a human being He created will fall by the wayside, if they are not already there. They are going down slippery slopes of eternal perdition.

  14. deesseafricaine
    May 17, 2012

    speak wisdom wise elder. black people prefer to celebrate anything besides something that reminds us of our african roots. no matter how much many want to fight it no matter where we are from if we are black we are AFRICAN

  15. observant
    May 17, 2012

    But what is African Liberation Day about nuh? I know they drum sing chant and smoke plenty marijuana. I think they may need two days! – one to recover from the other!

  16. watt la
    May 17, 2012

    This month Isidore is celebrated in England by Grand Bay Alliance, in Atlanta by D.A.C.A. New York, Connecticut and in Grand Bay. The Grand Bay people took their culture abroad with them and that’s why the Groovers are touring in the U.S. and may e in the V.I. They will never compete with Sansauver because our culture is for all and most of it comes from the cultural capital. Take the African Liberation Day to the Boboo Man. u hear wha gran bay ah say magawire?

  17. JustMyThought
    May 17, 2012

    I read all arguements, for against and in-between.
    I would like to say thanks for the elucidiation on all sides. I would like to say thank you to the DEFENDERS of St. Isidore. Keep it up and thaks for the info again. SMH. Saint Isidore, pray for us.( especially those of whom you are patron of)

  18. PAT COCHON
    May 17, 2012

    If tomorow morning OUR DEAR leader propose the same holiday request, most of you all commenting here would say it is a good thing. Let see the merits in Mr. Shillingfords’ request. We can either disagree with or without reasons, likewise agree with or without reasons, but i think it is dishonest and it dilutes the argument when people start talking about weed. Thats is irrelevant to the story.

  19. watt la
    May 17, 2012

    Shillingford, you need to wake up from your Zulu dreams and apologize to the Grand Bay people. In 1698,1844, Grand Bay forced the Europeans to free all slaves in Dominica as they did to Nassief of Geneva Estate in 1974 when they fought for the land. This is what Isidore is all about and these civil unrest took place in Dominica not in Africa.Grand Bay people fought, killed and died to give you freedom and stop being ungrateful.More recently the Grand bay pushed for independence with Patrick John against Mamo’s referandom. When are some of us going to help Grand Bay for all what it has done for us.European educate us to to hate Grand Bay and many of us don’t understand why Isidore will always big in the sout and was celebrated first in Grand bay as workers day. fete labouer isidore isidore bow bow isidore c’est rectiment.

  20. EMILE Zpatos
    May 17, 2012

    We celebrate Pentecost and other saintly feast days because we are christians .We do not celebrate African day because we are not Africans .We ARE NOT EVEN RECOGNISED or KNOWN by any African country.
    If we want to celebrate an additional relevant holiday let it be KALINGOS LIBERATION DAY as part of our heritage.
    In any event a celebration does not have to be a NATIONAL holiday

  21. ...
    May 17, 2012

    “countries that are predominantly African, and that there is no holiday recognizing Africa in the West Indies”

    The clue I think is that we are the WI and yeah some of our roots are from Africa but from all over the world too… (haven’t met many Africans with the surname Shillingford, plenty Brits though)

    and tell me, when when was the last time Africa recognised and helped out its so called countries

    • ....
      May 17, 2012

      and you have met many africans who could speak english before transatlantic slavery…

      Thank God for the Brits and God save the Queen.

    • reality
      May 17, 2012

      have you ever heard of an african shillingford? that’s because the slaves were given the titles of their master also female slaves were the property of their masters who used them as they pleased which resulted in the mulatto population we have. we have been diluted not only physically but mentally ironically we cling to our european, western ancestry and scorn our african heritage. the wealth of the european union and america was built on the back of african slaves and natural resources that have been plundered. when will we make meaningful links with africa in areas such as trade etc? Africa will rise again only when her children at home and abroad emancipate themselves and recognize their own power.

      • ...
        May 18, 2012

        granted slaves took the names of their owners but in this day and age where changing your name is quite a simple affair. If someone feels that strongly about their african roots maybe they should simply exchange their european surname for one that is more authentic to their ‘true’ roots.

        with or without slavery there would have been people moving and mixing all over the world and the same mulatto population would have evolved. in my opinion (right or wrong) where you were born is what you are, not where you great, great, great, great, great grandparents were from (otherwise hey we all come from Noahs family or further back good old adam and eve…)

        (and btw this is a comment from … not …..)

      • reality
        May 18, 2012

        @… you may be right in your assumption but that does not change the facts of what happened. what you are telling me is that the existence of your mom and dad is unimportant, who their parents were and where they came from is unimportant. in short just don’t contemplate your history and simply move on. so sad he who does not know history is doomed to make the same mistakes. no wonder we sell out so easily to foreigners we pay no homage to the blood that was shed for the freedoms that we take for granted today.

      • Justice and Truth
        May 18, 2012

        @ reality

        You have it all wrong. I doubt that generally speaking Dominicans scorn their African ancestry. Residing in Toronto I have met some Africans. We converse, even while shopping. I always state that I wished I knew my African ancestry. They ask me where I am from and I do likewise. We speak of the country of our origin.
        It is something I deeply regret that our parents may also not have known about our African ancestry and that their parents did not speak about it. I always say, if only I knew. Truly, we missed out on this important knowledge.
        It was not since the movie ‘Roots’ that we got the urge to pursue our roots. Too late for many of us. We cannot ignore our African heritage. However, we must also keep in mind that we have another heritage, French and British. In other countries as T & T and Jamaica of all, they are, Chinese, Indians, Spaniards and Portuguese. I also speak to Hindus and Muslims. Whatever our beliefs we can live in harmony and peace.
        I have had the opportunity of meeting some of them in Toronto and making friends with a few. I am informing you, I love this assimilation and diversity. I always view myself as an ‘international person’ and smile at it. We get along very well as friends. When we gather socially, I meet their family and friends.
        I am not interested in segregation and viewing one particular race. This may be thanks to my heritage on both sides and open-mindedness – broadmindedness. We will be happier if we just live our lives and get along with people of all races.
        I have also considered that God placed us here for a purpose, people of different races, pigmentation and nationalities, to see how well we can live together without discrimination and segregation. If we are not able to live in this manner on earth, then we will not qualify to live in Heaven. Heaven is a place of love, joy and peace which Christians should be aware of. I urge you to give this a good thought.

    • Justice and Truth
      May 17, 2012

      On the contrary, Africa expects help from us and would gladly welcome it if we offered it.

    • May 17, 2012

      good point.

  22. Woy Henry wake up
    May 17, 2012

    All Henry and his ban have to do is celebrate african liberation day on pentecost monday. who want to go with him will go, who want to take their foot in grandbay will do just that, no harm done. why he want to dictate what people do on pentecost nah? Mayday there for so long nobody going workers rally, August monday self suppose to be emancipation day, the perfect one to merge with african liberation Henry forget that nah?

    • Justice and Truth
      May 17, 2012

      @ Wow Henry wake up

      Henry really needs to wake up; he and his clan. He is a joker. They are living in a fantasy world. Do you think Africans care that an African holiday be established in the Commonwealth of Dominica? I bet not.

      • Anonymous
        May 18, 2012

        This is a hoilday for Dominicans of African hertiage.

  23. pulp-fiction
    May 17, 2012

    that is why black nations will remain behind. They put white man gods and saints first before their fore fathers. shame

    • Justice and Truth
      May 17, 2012

      @ pulp-fiction

      You are indeed pulp and fiction – no substance that anyone can learn anything good and godly from except negativism and hatred towards those who did you no harm.
      You have forgotten your Church history. You may be one who was ignorant in the faith and who renounced your Catholic faith for what? You did not make it your business to become knowledgeable in it. You rather listen to those who formed their own churches and follow them.
      We, Catholics do not view those saints as ‘white’ as you think. We view them as ‘people; holy people’ who served God to the fullest and whom God Himself has exalted as saints in Heaven. In God’s eyes, we are neither so-called black or so-called white. We are people; human beings; mortals; souls. This is how He regards us. God does not think as human beings.
      Dominica has always been a pre-dominantly Catholic country with your ancestors and yourself attending Church; were baptized, made First Holy Communion and Confirmed.
      The Catholic Church got is mandate and inspiration from the Holy Spirit to establish a Patron Saint for each village and to be recognized as such. The young ones do not know about the saints because they appear not to be taught. It is the Church’s responsibility, the parish Priest to inform them about their patron saint and their godly works and why they are recognized as saints and patron saints of the towns and villages.
      If this is not done or has not been done, the time has come and it is not too late to inform them about it. They must be well-versed about their Catholic Faith lest they do not follow those who know nothing about the Catholic faith yet criticize it and cause them to renounce their faith.
      I have my contacts in DA and I will address this issue to the proper Catholic authorities, to teach them about their patron saints and why each village has a holiday and celebrates it in their honour.
      Those who were baptized Catholics will always be Catholics. God blest this baptism and He, obviously, will not rescind it. There is no one on earth who has the power to ever reverse this baptism. They better know this. For one, God did not give them the authority to do so and never will.
      Catholics are Catholics forever – to eternity, whether in Heaven or in Hell. Some of you do not know that. If you did, you would think twice about renouncing your Catholic faith. Learn this now before it is too late, if it is not yet too late for you. God knows.

      • ?????????????
        May 17, 2012

        The Lord God is a jealous God. Thou have no strange Gods before me. And all praise and Honour belongs only to the Father and we should come to him through his son only his son. We need to be truthful and be righteous and not religious. Religion is not the answer but the Bible has all the answers for day to day living. Read and get the annointing of the “holy Spirit’ and we will be truthful whether the traditions of men man made. Faith should be only to the One and only True Father. We should have faith in our Heavenly Father. Our Father won’t ask whether we renounced a man ordained faith but according to his words in the Holy book, we will be reminded of what we accomplished in this world and whether we followed his commandments and whether we accepted the Lord as our personal saviour. Whether we had a relationship with our Father; Whether we placed any other Gods before him .. Gods can take the form of our money, cars, children, saints, idols, etc anything we placed before our heavenly Father.

        Let us do away with this religious thing and do what our Father and Creator says.

      • Francisco Telemaque
        May 18, 2012

        Justice and truth, you are not all that different from the pulp-fiction: You see whereas the pulp is talking rubbish, total hogwash about white man gods which makes no sense, I see no actual hate in his/her words.

        The pulp is no more, or less than an uneducated person, who thinks like a kid who enters kindergarten on their first day of school.

        You on the other hand seems to have accepted the Roman Catholic doctrines of praying and worshiping saints, and the observant’s of some day designated to be worship by the Roman Catholics,

        First of all in Christianity, faith in Jesus, and his father Jehovah, has nothing to do with Black man, or White man, for Jesus said in his words ” as many as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God”

        That is not a quote verbatim, but I am sure I am close.

        Religion, and one’s belief in God are totally to different things.

        You indulged into some nonsense when you went on rambling about Catholic faith!

        Faith in God, is the faith; have faith in God Jehovah, and his son Jesus Christ, and not your so called ” Catholic faith”

        How do you define Catholic faith?

        Now I am here to tell you that all of the so called Catholic faith people may never inherit the earth in the end unless they repent ( that is changing or their minds) forgetting the rosary, and the hale -Mary, because Jesus never instructed anybody in ancient times or modern day to pray to his mother, that is false doctrines which have been imposed on the world wherever they dominate.

        Jesus instructed us to observe the Passover, and the Passover alone!

        So all this thing about All Saint day, and all that is simply a Roman Catholic ritual which has nothing to do with God and Christianity.

        When the Bible refers to ” Saints of God, it is referring to people who are believers in Jesus, a congregation in any Church, as long as the doctrine they preach is ” thus said the Lord.”

        No pope, or priest has any authority or power from God to bestow any title such as saint on individuals; that is not spiritual, it is simply something which originates in Rome, and God has nothing to do with that.

        If you read the Bible for yourself, you will find that Roman Catholic Church has been teaching false doctrines for centuries, and as a result small islands and the poor nations of the world has suffered even more poverty all due to false teachings.

        And if you would like to be enlightened on the true word of God you can reach me via [email protected] I would be happy to share the word of God with you, and not the philosophy of Rome or any man!

        The pope, the priest, the bishop, and note I did not use a capital letter here, and that is because I want you to note that these so called priest, pope, and bishops, do not have any direct pipeline or telephone line connecting them to God, that you and I not have. You are free to go directly to God by yourself.

        Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

      • Orisha
        May 18, 2012

        who needs your slave damping ideology. get lost with your catholic paganism

  24. aye
    May 17, 2012

    Dominica Doe need no more holiday… we have so much already

    • Justice and Truth
      May 18, 2012

      @ aye

      I agree with you. What African holiday? This is a big joke.

  25. Kubuli Kountry
    May 17, 2012

    Sorry, Mr. Shillingford, I’m just not interested.

  26. Jahknow
    May 17, 2012

    We need a day of recognition of our african heritage so we can discuss issues such as this.

    The Black Germans

    Black Survivors of the Nazi Holocaust,”
    Black Historical Information …..

    BLACK GERMAN HOLOCAUST VICTIMS…
    So much of our history is lost to us because we often don’t write the history books, don’t film the documentaries, or don’t pass the accounts down from generation to generation.
    One documentary now touring the film festival circuit, telling us to “Always Remember” is “Black Survivors of the Holocaust” (1997). Outside the U.S.., the film is entitled “Hitler’s Forgotten Victims” (Afro-Wisdom Productions) . It codifies another dimension to the “Never Forget” Holocaust story–our imension.

    Did you know that in the 1920’s, there were 24,000 Blacks living in Germany? Neither did I. Here’s how it happened, and how many of them were eventually caught unawares by the events of the Holocaust.
    Like most West European nations, Germany established colonies in Africa in the late 1800’s in what later became Togo, Cameroon, Namibia, and Tanzania. German genetic experiments began there, most notably involving prisoners taken from the 1904 Heroro Massacre that left 60,000 Africans dead, following a 4-year revolt against German colonization. After the shellacking Germany received in World War I, it was stripped of its African colonies in 1918.

    As a spoil of war, the French were allowed to occupy Germany in the Rhineland–a bitter piece of real estate that has gone back and forth between the two nations for centuries. The French willfully deployed their own colonized African soldiers as the occupying force. Germans viewed this as the final insult of world War I, and soon thereafter, 92% of them voted the Nazi party into power.

    Hundreds of the African Rhineland-based soldiers intermarried with German women and raised their children as Black Germans. In Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote about his plans for these “Rhineland Bastards.” When he came to power, one of his first directives was aimed at these mixed-race children. Underscoring Hitler’s obsession with racial purity, by 1937, every identified mixed-race child in the Rhineland had been forcibly sterilized, in order to prevent further ‘race polluting,’ as Hitler termed it.

    Hans Hauck, a Black Holocaust survivor and a victim of Hitler’s mandatory sterilization program, explained in the film “Hitler’s Forgotten Victims” that, when he was forced to undergo sterilization as a teenager, he was given no anesthetic. Once he received his sterilization certificate, he was “free to go” so long as he agreed to have no sexual relations whatsoever with Germans.

    Although most Black Germans attempted to escape their fatherland, heading for France where people like Josephine Baker were steadily aiding and supporting the French Underground, many still encountered problems elsewhere. Nations shut their doors to Germans, including the Black ones.

    Some Black Germans were able to eke out a living during Hitler’s reign of terror by performing in Vaudeville shows, but many Blacks, steadfast in their belief that they were German first and Black second, opted to remain in Germany. Some fought with the Nazis (a few even became Luftwaffe pilots). Unfortunately, many Black Germans were arrested, charged with treason, and shipped in cattle cars to concentration camps. Often these trains were so packed with people and (equipped with no bathroom facilities or food) that, after the four-day journey, box car doors were opened to piles of the dead and dying.

    Once inside the concentration camps, Blacks were given the worst jobs conceivable. Some Black American soldiers, who were captured and held as prisoners of war, recounted that, while they were being starved and forced into dangerous labor (violating the Geneva Convention), they were still better off than Black German concentration camp detainees, who were forced to do the unthinkable- -man the crematoriums and work in labs where genetic experiments were being conducted. As a final sacrifice, these Blacks were killed every three months so that they would never be able to reveal the inner workings of the “Final Solution.”

    In every story of Black oppression, no matter how we were enslaved, shackled, or beaten, we always found a way to survive and to rescue others. As a case in point, consider Johnny Voste, a Belgian resistance fighter who was arrested in 1942 for alleged sabotage and then shipped to Dachau.

    One of his jobs was stacking vitamin crates. Risking his own life, he distributed hundreds of vitamins to camp detainees, which saved the lives of many who were starving, weak, and ill–conditions exacerbated by extreme vitamin deficiencies. His motto was “No, you can’t have my life; I will fight for it.”

    According to Essex University’s Delroy Constantine- Simms, there were Black Germans who resisted Nazi Germany, such as Lari Gilges, who founded the Northwest Rann–an organization of entertainers that fought the Nazis in his home town of Dusseldorf– and who was murdered by the SS in 1933, the year that Hitler came into power.

    Little information remains about the numbers of Black Germans held in the camps or killed under the Nazi regime. Some victims of the Nazi sterilization project and Black survivors of the Holocaust are still alive and telling their story in films such as “Black Survivors of the Nazi Holocaust,” but they must also speak out for justice, not just history.

    Unlike Jews (in Israel and in Germany), Black Germans, although German-born, have received no war reparations because their German citizenship was revoked. The only pension they get is from those of us who are willing to tell the world their stories and continue their battle for recognition and compensation.

    After the war, scores of Blacks who had somehow managed to survive the Nazi regime, were rounded up and tried as war criminals. Talk about the final insult! There are thousands of Black Holocaust stories, from the triangle trade, to slavery in America, to the gas oven s in Germany.

    We often shy away from hearing about our historical past because so much of it is painful; however, we are in this struggle together for rights, dignity, and, yes, reparations for wrongs done to us through the centuries. We need to always remember so that we can take steps to ensure that these atrocities never happen again.

    For further information, read: Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany, by Hans J. Massaquoi.

    PLEASE PASS THIS ON, AND ALWAYS REMEMBER…
    LEST WE FORGET!

    • Woy Henry wake up
      May 17, 2012

      So what is wrong with AUGUST MONDAY?????

    • Anonymous
      May 17, 2012

      Thanks for the history but i just don’t care

    • burt dave
      May 17, 2012

      This makes for wonderful reading, I must confess that this is a new revelation to me and this underpins the fact that we do not know much about ourselves, and unless we begin initial discussions to begin the process of rediscovering who we are and were then we will forever be cotters of wood and carriers of water in a world in which we have contributed so much more and yet we don’t know. “KNOW THYSELF MY PEOPLE”

    • Orisha
      May 18, 2012

      I read that book many years ago. I must say it is an eye openner

    • Justice and Truth
      May 18, 2012

      Jahnow

      …And Jahnow knows nothing. Some of us are fully aware of what you mentioned. We have heard enough and also seen enough on television even to this day and read about them in books. There is absolutely nothing that we can do about it and what occurred and is now history.
      Some of you want repeated the atrocities which were committed in those days. Live well alone and all those sadness even though we cannot forget them.
      Some of you are still stagnant and have no wish to progress and let go of the past. Those atrocities only make you bitter and create uprising in your hearts, minds and souls which you indoctrinate others to do and further create lack of love and peace.
      Let us move forward to loving one another and making the world a better place to live in. The latter is what we should take with us to eternity. There is no place for discord and hatred of any sort in Heaven. Those who entertain them which are the works and influence of Satan will never obtain eternal salvation.

      • Jahknow
        May 28, 2012

        Those who don’t know their past are doomed to repeat it! JAH does KNOW!

    • Choice
      May 18, 2012

      @ Jahknow

      Thanks brother for this education. Whilst I know quite a bit about African/black history, this aspect was rather new to me. It is sad to see that many black people gave you a thumbs down, is either they did not digest what you wrote or they are comfortable with the label “house nigger”

      There is much room for black /African studies in Dominica. but it gonna be an up hill battle. Henry Shillingford on the other hand, though he means well, must taper the manner in which he sells his views. He has to ameliorate it to suit his market, many of whom are so historically challenged

  27. colourblind
    May 17, 2012

    Henry makes a valid point, we tend not to want to observe aspects of our African heritage and there is an imbalance between public observations of our African & European history. Fact. Although Henry also does not seem to know the origin of the upcoming holiday on May 28.

    It is NOT Isidore, it is Whit or Pentecost Monday and is a Christian holiday. It is the day after Pentecost, also known as Whit Sunday or Whitsunday, which commemorates the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the disciples of Jesus Christ, according to the New Testament of the Bible.
    However, how many African countries celebrate a holiday on African Liberation Day? I am not sure if Henry himself knows. I did some research and it is not clear. I know one (1) African state: Ghana. Some celebrate the OAU day. I am not certain why we in Dominic should declare this day a holiday, when the majority of African states only observe activities on that day.

    We do not need another holiday and I agree that holiday categories can be changed, if most of the population (Not a minority) thinks one is no longer relevant. Note that the original African Liberation Day (ALD) was the 15th of April, that was changed to May 25 in 1963 to coincide with the founding of the Organization of African Unity (OAU), the predecessor to the African Union.
    Actually Whit Monday holiday has been changed in England to Spring Bank holiday, (Christ is not so alive in England).
    There was a purpose for this holiday, but because we are not so spiritual we have lost that knowledge and awareness. We have also become complacent about other holidays, May Day etc… Of course it is convenient that Whit Monday holiday is closest to ALD.
    We have Emancipation events/Day and that is relevant to us as people of African descent. Perhaps we can observe ALD during our Emancipation period in July/August and share Emancipation activities, as the history and purpose of both periods are similar. So while May 25th as ALD will be recognised, events will be later. This will also bring more awareness/support to ALD.

    It’s not just about a holiday. True awareness and sharing of cultures is more than a once a year observation. There are many existing issues in Africa, which the ALD supporters here need to address and we need to resolve through increased awareness. ‘Corruption, terrible treatment of women, to name a few…but I digress.

    I suspect some Dominicans think Liberation Day activities include ’nuff marijuana smoking.’ I do not think that is the goal of the true ALD supporters, but they must also try to educate the public on the ALD, so that this perception will disappear and result in more support. Some people think you must be Rasta to take part in the events and there is also an attitude towards ‘Baldheads’. Getting baldheads on board is wise as they are in the majority and can change current negative perceptions. Get the schools involved. Bring in African guest speakers and artists or those with that knowledge. Africa is loaded with talent. By the way, who accounted for taxpayers’ $30,000 given by Government to the local ALD group? There is plenty which can be done to celebrate our liberation and share our history/culture before we declare an ALD holiday. Mental Liberation is needed. There is also the issue of many Africans’ negative perception of Caribbean people as less than them, i.e decendants of slaves. So education is relevant on both sides to bind us together as Africans and descendants of Africa. Happy ALD Day!

    • Woy Henry wake up
      May 17, 2012

      You may have a valid point but you cannot force people to celebrate your choice of holiday with you. If the majority dont care about African Liberation day do you want to force it down their throats? If Dominicans wanted to celebrate African Liberation they would have made it clear, but they are not interested so your best bet is to use an existing holiday or die trying to force people 8)

      • kasate
        May 17, 2012

        A new holiday is NOT being suggested the point is why does a country have holidays they have no relationship to. Therefore to your question Do DOMINICANS care about Whit Monday or Pentecost. This is one point the other point is shouldn’t you care. The answer may be that you are not an African. However it should be noted the Indians in Trinidad have no problem calling themselves Indian although most of them have never been to India or have any relations in India. Nor do the Chiney in Jamaica have any problem calling themselves Chinee although most of them are 6th and 7th generation chinese who haven ever ever been to China. The only disagreement to this idea is that Dominicans and Caribbean people generally have been convinced that they are not black just as most of the world and probably most Dominicans too would not know that Egypt is in Africa they would say it’s in the Middle East

    • Justice and Truth
      May 18, 2012

      You are really colour blind. Henry is in no position to institute that a Catholic Feast Day be changed for an African holiday. Henry has become a rasta, an atheist, and a hater of Christianity in general and is targeting Catholicism. Woe to Henry if he continues in this state.
      An African holiday has absolutely nothing to do with a Church Feast Day/Holiday. I reiterate, leave the Catholic Church out of it.
      Some of you hear statements and do not think for yourselves. What is Dominica and its nationals liberated from? No such thing exists. Be liberated from illegal drugs, crimes and other immoralities.
      Christ is not so alive in England? Too bad for those who reject Him. It is not something to be proud of. Woe to them. It appears a sure Hell for especially that government and its followers. This is why the U.K. government and some other governments of the world are legalizing immoralities and leading their people down the path of perdition to Satan’s cauldron of everlasting fire. You who uphold them will go the same path.
      God rules. Our Lord Jesus Christ said, “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Keep in mind what Our Lord also said, “Those who believe in Him will not be put to shame. Those who do not obey His Father’s Will will never enter His Kingdom.”
      I say, get lost with your African holiday and Liberation Day. Dominica does not need such days and can do without them.
      We have heroes of our own, those who served Dominica well. These are they whom we need to recognize and name a holiday in their honor. No other holidays should be sacrificed and by no means a religious holiday for a secular one. If you do not comprehend that you are living in total darkness of the light. Pray to God for enlightenment.
      If you want to hear about the African culture, read the books. There is also a lot of it On-Line. Access them.
      God is patient! He gave us a free mind and He is allowing some people to further condemn themselves. How sad will it be on that inevitable day when souls are called for their eternal judgment and to know that they have failed God; that they erred to their detriment. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Read Holy Scriptures to the Book of Revelation. God has spoken – not I.

  28. 4progress
    May 17, 2012

    To the Grand Bay & San Sauveur Organisers…..

    Can the programmes and activities be organised so that the whole of DA can enjoy the various events, that is less clashing of events…collaboration instead of competition. Try spreading the events over a longer period or the popular event are set at different time of each other.

    • Anonymous
      May 18, 2012

      We are not competing, the feast falls on the samde day so each community celebrates in their own way. No competition!!

      • Justice and Truth
        May 18, 2012

        @ Anonymous

        The Feast of St. Isidore is here to stay. It has been that way from way back when and will continue to be until the end of time. What God has joined together let no man put asunder. This includes marriage between a man and a woman who got married in the Church.
        Satan is prominent in the world. This is projected in the hearts, minds and words of some people. God is more powerful than Satan. Some people are too stupid. The day will come when God will strike every one of them down including the enemies of the Catholic Church who have nothing good to say about it. They will live to regret it to eternity – forever and ever.

  29. DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE
    May 17, 2012

    How about Shillingford Day? since the shillingfords have contributed enormously in all areas to the development of Dominica?

    • Woy Henry wake up
      May 17, 2012

      Thats a fine idea :-P From sports, to creating employment, and a host of other areas they have contributed more than the rastas and their smoke.

      • Reason
        May 18, 2012

        And the Shillingfords contributed to making children!Two white brothers from Liverpool in England came to Dominica and look how many Shillingfords there are! Let us celebrate Shillingford Day indeed!

    • Justice and Truth
      May 18, 2012

      DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE

      Henry should have thought of that. Instead, he prefers attacking the Catholic Church. Woe to him.

  30. Anonymous
    May 17, 2012

    he is the patron saint of farmers and rural communities. He was known for his love of the poor, and there are accounts of Isidore’s supplying them miraculously with food. He had a great concern for the proper treatment of animals.

    He is a Catholic Saint who lived an extraordinary life

    • kasate
      May 17, 2012

      Well this is virtually unknown in the communities

  31. Dee D
    May 17, 2012

    Is Henry Mad??? Isidore just an ‘Old Catholic Holiday???” Welll!!!! I never!!!!

    Furthermore, the Monday in question is Pentecost Monday!

    • Dee D
      May 17, 2012

      Ok Henry, this time you are clearly speaking in the absence of information.

      In San Sauveur Isidore is touted as a celebration of the Feast of St. Isidore, the patron saint of farmers.

      The fete is never the main focus when the celebration is planned. In fact, the parade of bands (mostly of women carrying their agricultural produce)and mass are the highlights of the weekend.

      I’d also like to think that farming and all that is derived from it to benefit the people of Good Hope, San Sauveur and Petite Soufriere has great “significance to the people’s lives.” That’s what Fete Isidore is about.

      • Anonymous
        May 18, 2012

        Thanks DeeD for educating Henry. To say fete Isidore is all about rum is an insult to the hard working farmers of San Sauveur , Good Hope and Petite Soufriere. These people are celebrating the success of their hard work and giving thanks to God for their yields. C,mom Henry there’s nothing you can say to take fete Isidore away from us in the east. Thats our culture and we must celebrate! We dont highlight party,WE RAISE OUR GOD. WE ARE A GODLY PEOPLE!!! Dont try to push rastafarianism down our throats. you’ll NEVER succeed!!

      • Justice and Truth
        May 18, 2012

        @ Dee D

        Interesting. Many of us Dominicans who also reside abroad did not know this beautiful celebration of St. Isidore took place in San Sauveur. Someday when I visit DA, hope it will be at such a time I would like to visit there. I know someone who resides there. Note the name of this village. It is French. The British did not change the names. At least they granted Dominica the privilege of keeping the French names. No villages have African names.

  32. Choice
    May 17, 2012

    Mr. Henry Shilligford please note that fete St Isidore is not a holiday. It does not really cost the tax payers any thing more.

  33. Hilroy Alfred J.r
    May 17, 2012

    i totally agree…we have forgotten our roots and adopted a pagan lifestyle that we need to deviate from

    • Justice and Truth
      May 18, 2012

      @ Hilroy Alfred J.r.

      This is news to me. Since when? You are another one who is wrong.

  34. UNOTEASY
    May 17, 2012

    Mr. Shillingford, I it seems like you only did your poll using Rasters only. But I know who St Isidore is and what he stands for. I hail from the east and we all were taught that St. Isidore is the patron Saint of farmers, peasants, and laborers, thus the reason we celebrate the Feast of great productivity on our farms.
    We were liberated in November and we celebrate it then so if you want a reason to celebrate the smoking of weed, try another day.

    • sigh...
      May 19, 2012

      What exactly does that mean? “the patron Saint of farmers, peasants, and laborers”. And here I was thinking that christianity was about Jesus Christ. Oh wait that’s a catholic thing right? But wait catholicism is christianity. It’s all to confusing.

  35. Concerned citiizen
    May 17, 2012

    That man don’t have work today. St.Isidore and African Day are two extremes why merged them? One is named after and saint and the other…….I am not sure what???

    • Justice and Truth
      May 18, 2012

      @ Concerned citizen

      Because he has no sense. He must be smoking too much ganja or other illegal drugs. Take a look at his face. This tells much about him. What a disgrace for one who was brought up prim and proper and in the faith. He has swayed far from them.

      • sigh...
        May 19, 2012

        Superficial – taking things at face value. You my friend are a perfect example of most religious people. Quick question – how would you describe an angel according to the bible in one sentence? If you think “A man with wings and a halo” you are completely lost.

  36. DOMINICA
    May 17, 2012

    The people who want to change from St. Isidore celebration to Africa Day are you all thinking right?

    They both need to be celebrated, not to choose one over the other.

    One deals with religion and the other our race.

    so please DON’T CHOOSE they are both important in our lives and BOTH need their own dates for celebrating.

  37. Francisco Telemaque
    May 17, 2012

    Well big deal, innocent as the word may seem, and because the people who would want to celebrate the day ” African Liberation Day” are black, some may believe it is a good thing!

    However, if they only knew the reality of the African Liberation Movement, they would want to abandon the idea as I did in the 1970’s.

    Indeed African Liberation Day, is a celebration of communism!

    The late Tim Hector was the leader of the African Liberation Movement on the island of Antigua; I was married to his aunts daughter, thus he influenced my former wife and I to become members of the Antigua African Liberation Movement; I was involved at the very top of the organization.

    On parade day, my former wife and I walked up front along with Tim Hector, and his wife!

    I personally believed in the movement until we were introduced to the doctrines of Linen, wherever Leninism doctrines are thought we are indoctrinating people into communism.

    Now I know communism exists only in Cuba, China, and I believe in North Korea these days; that system is practically dead internationally, so I would hope that we are not trying to keep it alive in Dominica.

    As such we should not recognize any day in our country as ” African Liberation Day ” I know how this thing came about, and I say if that succeeded in the Caribbean, many of the leaders would do the same as Mogabe did in his country and that would not be god for a place like Dominica.

    African Liberation means communism, and keeping people in subjection to a system, and those failing to comply is eliminated, by any means necessary!

    Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque

    • hold up
      May 19, 2012

      “keeping people in subjection to a system, and those failing to comply is eliminated, by any means necessary!” – that’s not communism, that’s totalitarian dictatorship. get you terminology straight. maybe if you take the time to read up on communism from a sociological perspective you would see the true meaning, instead of the one that popular media and common knowledge attributes it.

  38. African
    May 17, 2012

    Africans do not even celebrate African Liberation Day. Why should we? Instead, let us rally together to fight injustice, poverty and disease in Africa.

    • Malgraysa
      May 17, 2012

      Agree with you brother and don’t forget slavery right there in Africa! We don’t like talking about that but Mauritania, an African country only officially criminalized slavery in 2007 but a U.N. Human Rights Council mission in 2008 still found it much alive. Not much to celebrate till we address that.

  39. @WELL
    May 17, 2012

    I wonder if there is any Dominica Day in Africa!!! We just need to recognize our local hard work, better pay schemes and more financial incentives for our young people here. Saints and Africa cannot put food in our mouths, shoes on our feet, education profile upgrade. Is this African Liberation Day going to have a scholarship scheme without favors so those history students can get some assistance to pursue studies. I find all this interest in holidays and saints are in no way enhancing the future development of our young people.

    May be we should have a Young People Day, where we can explore our talents (music, art, Businessman/woman, doctor/nurse potentials, attitude development things like that) a huge social centre on the Canefield Industrial Estate would be a plus…so much wasted space. So much talk of non-essential activities in this country and you all want to suppress young people for a marijauna stick. African Liberation Day must come with something beneficial to all. I we know about slavery so try not to remind us of it too much…we have no interest in continuing with the slave mentality but rather moving on the bigger and better things and showing you MR. Shillingford that our black skin mean that we are in charge of our future not our fore fathers who were killing each other and selling each other for the white man one of whom was your father, grandfather and so on …

  40. 4progress
    May 17, 2012

    It is a bit strange that we have a vote followed by discussion, which I believe should be the opposite. We need to be educated/re-educated about our linkage to African continent and its people, via films, documentaries, books, lectures, sample DNA testing to help us through this thought provoking process. Organised under the banner AFRICAN WEEK.

    It is also an opportunity to review all the official holidays to determine their relevance and decide whether they are still required. Subsequent to that let have another vote on the question.

    In Trinidad the Indians celebrate their coming to the island from India via slavery, so it is worth considering the process and activities involved for their day-off.

    • Meeee
      May 17, 2012

      If you were reading DNO regularly you would realize there was a discussion before the poll was published. The poll appeared maybe a WEEK (probably more) after the first story on calling for a holiday on African Liberation Day and there was a healthy discussion.

      The present discussion is based on the vote. SMH

    • Justice and Truth
      May 18, 2012

      Only some of the Indians are full-fledged Indians. I know some T & T Indians and they do not celebrate this coming. In addition, some of them are mixed Chinese, Spaniards and Portuguese. They never uttered a word about it. Who are they who celebrate it? It may only a few.

  41. May 17, 2012

    OH MY DEAR HENRY ,WHY DO’NT YOU GET A LIFE? END OF STORY…

  42. wdma nuh
    May 17, 2012

    wa happen to mr nuh he doe want me to take my foot # I die nuh………….. get another day for africa day or better yet take a trip to somalia its africa day there everyday

  43. May 17, 2012

    it is clear to see where we are,down the road in religious confusion,
    what’s wrong in focusing on our african heritage instead of this confused religous images.
    African Liberation is more realistic, than st.isodore anyway.
    Dominican just like a reason to drink plenty rum and sewo, and we wander why we stay so.

    • Malgraysa
      May 17, 2012

      St. Isidore part of our heritage too, whether we like it or not. Our roots are not only in Africa, ask mr.Shillingford where his family came from.

      • reality
        May 17, 2012

        if u a black man check your surname? is your family from england or europe?lol we still carrying massa name with pride. dats why malcolm x chose x as his surname since he did not know his african surname and refused to carry the white massa name.

      • Malatete
        May 18, 2012

        We inherit out family names through the male line, from our fathers and forefathers. If today we carry non-african names it is almost exclusively because we are no longer of pure African descent. That is our heritage and we can not deny it.
        Were all these fathers and forefathers brutal, non-caring “massas”? To accept this would be to deny that true love can blossom between different races and cultures, which I reject. First of all our own, mixed population provides evidence to the contrary, even within the same families. Secondly, we must not forget that some of our forebears were “freedmen”, long before slavery was officially abolished. As early as 1718 Dominica counted 500 free negroes (in a population of 5872 slaves) Some of these freedmen were slave owners themselves. In 1820 the “freedmen” of Dominica held 22% of the slave population. (see:”Slave Population of the British Caribbean”, 1807-1834, by B.W. Higman, 1995).Slavery is abhorrent, in all its forms but it is not, and never was a clear-cut case of black & white. Whilst African “blood” may dominate our general make-up it is not exclusive and we should celebrate our multi-cultural and genetic divergences.

      • reality
        May 18, 2012

        agree with your comment to an extent in regards to embracing our multi-cultural heritage. incidentally i believe that african liberation day can move us forward in that direction. being a part of multicultural society even calls us to be more proactive in preserving and enhancing our african ancestry like wise the other ethnic groups need to highlight their individual culture which contributes to the overall ‘melting pot’ of caribbean culture.
        one footnote:i believe in love and it may have existed in among a few in those days but it was most often lust.

  44. BEE
    May 17, 2012

    EVERY VILLAGE HAS A SPECIAL SAINT DAY OF CELEBRATION WHY WOULD HE WANT ST ISIDORE A PULBIC
    HOLIDAY. I WONDER HOW MANY PUBLIC HOLIDAYS THEY
    WANT IN DA.

  45. aaaa
    May 17, 2012

    man go back Africa and call for your holiday, not in Dominica what you think, not much rasta contribute anything to the economy of this place

  46. May 17, 2012

    Alas Mr.Shillingford,how long ago was African Liberation Day established/observed in Dominica?That sounds like a Sprang and Weed Day.Continue celelbrating it as you always do.Good luck

    • aye
      May 17, 2012

      that’s why Dominica have the highest amount of young marijuana smokers in the Caribbean soon it would be in the world…please… we doe need another day to celebrate… we acknowledge where we come from…but come onnn

  47. May 17, 2012

    Henry just want to smoke his marijuana….

  48. Makgraysa
    May 17, 2012

    Oh come on Henry. You want o hijack our St. Isidore now? Is St. Isidore an African saint? That’s preposterous man.

  49. Gee
    May 17, 2012

    WE HAVE ENOUGH HOLIDAYS IN DA…… ANOTHER ONE IS JUST WHAT WE DO NOT NEED!! IT WILL JUST MAKE US LESS PRODUCTIVE IN THIS COUNTRY!!!

    • reality
      May 17, 2012

      tired hear dat holiday making us unproductive crap. pay dominicans more if allyu want more work done. people cannot even pay dere bills and allyu want them to come work happy and smiling everyday and work like booik for peanuts we are NOT monkeys enno.the dominican workforce is unmotivated and this is the issue that needs to be addressed. what incentives are companies giving for work? people don’t even want to pay overtime. not to mention the axe dey hanging over your head knowing that if you are fired your replacement always there cause there is a high unemployment rate and someone is alway willing to accept substandard treatment and conditions just to earn a dollar. DAT TO TALK ABOUT MR PRODUCTIVITY CONSULTANT.

  50. Fairplay
    May 17, 2012

    What Henry wants is marijuana liberation holiday. :lol:

    • kasate
      May 17, 2012

      No Henry wants Marijuana Legaliised and in addition he wants a day where there is a National respect and recognition of Africa and its contribution to humanity which is considerable by Africans.

  51. just saying
    May 17, 2012

    When I last checked the holiday was not in celebration of St. Isidore but Pentecost. It just so happens that the Fete Isidore falls on that weekend.

    • May 17, 2012

      Just Saying. You are so right. The feast of St. Isydore has always been celebrated on Pentecost Monday which is known as Imancipation Day. African liberation Day is no holiday to be celebrated in Dominica. Aficnas are to clebrate their day if they feel that they are liberated. We were liberated on November 3rd and we continue to clebrate our liberation on November 3rd each year. I wish I was home for Fete Isydore either in GrandBay or San Sauveur. Oh what a lovely time to be had on that day.

    • home soon
      May 17, 2012

      You have hit the nail on the head. The holiday is Pentecost Monday. The feast has just piggy-backed on the holiday. Furthermore if Dominica had continued to produce from the soil the feast would have meant much more to Dominica’s as the feast celebrates the hardwork of farmers to toil and provide food.

      • kasate
        May 17, 2012

        Sounds like an African Tradition to me and yet this valid people based reason is subverted under the Official Guise of Papist Pentecost Monday and yet to most people who posted that’s OK. Well I guess Dominica is OK

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