For approximately 300 years after that, the traffic in the middle passage was brisk and by the mid 1800s, slaves in the American south alone, numbered well over four million. This did not include of course, the countless numbers who had been dropped off at various points throughout the rest of the so-called New World, including of course, our very own Belize. One census records the number of slaves in Belize as being well over two thousand while at the same time, showing the number of whites as being a mere 250.

You’re probably wondering of course why they didn’t rebel, but one must remember that slavery was as much a mental conditioning as it was physical bondage. And then of course, when we consider the inherent and caste-like complex of even our modern day society, one can well imagine how the divide and rule stratagem might have been easily implemented. It is a widely acknowledged fact, that slavery in Belize was also not nearly the travail or tribulation that it was for our American counterparts, especially those on the cotton farms in the south, but then again, that would be like saying that our prison is better than the one in Guatemala. A prison is a prison and slavery was slavery. A solid reasoning in support of the theory that conditions were more tolerable over here, is that Belize did not have a plantation type slave system. Slaves could readily escape through the bushes to neighboring Spanish settlements where they would oftentimes find refuge. Slaves in Belize also had to be carrying ax and machetes for their work in cutting down trees and one can understand how Massa might have been a little hesitant to get cruel.

One exception of course, was the man in whose honor we have named one of our city’s more prominent landmarks and wherein is lodged a major portion of our judiciary and our post office. Thomas Paslow was a man who was bestial to his slaves and at least one time, was even taken to court to answer charges for such cruelty. I for one, do wholeheartedly endorse the campaign to find this building a new name and soon.

Now of course, black history month is not all about slavery and as well it shouldn’t be for while much prejudice still exist in the world, the window of opportunity has been flung wide open and these days Blacks can go to the same schools, hold the same jobs and get just as rich as white folks. The price for the prize has been high, however, and much blood, sweat and tears have been shed on the journey to somebodiness.

In February, we honor the memory of men like Frederick Douglas, Marcus Garvey and Martin Luther King Jr., whose pain and suffering has benefited not only black people in America but people of color throughout the entire world.

Every Belizean living in the States today or who has even only visited, has directly benefited from the excruciating struggle for civil rights. Let us join then in honoring the memory and hailing the accomplishments of those who have contributed so much to society. Black inventors for example, have been responsible for many of the things that we use on a daily basis and more often than not take for granted. The lawn mower, the fountain pen, the elevator, the type writer, the traffic light and even the refrigerator are just a few of the things that were invented by blacks and the list goes on and on.

And while there is nothing now that can ever be done to undo or make recompense for slavery, the least that we can do is to give acknowledgment and credit to those who deserve it. And to the young black men and women who have come up behind these pioneers, let us make use of the hard earned opportunities and do our best to ensure that the sacrifices were not made in vain.