May 14, 2006 – The members of the Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Emancipation Commemoration Committee do more than talk about culture, they re-enact it.
The group became an official nonprofit organization just six months ago with a new name – the History, Culture & Tradition Foundation.
Under the name of the Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow committee, the three incorporators and two directors of the new group have sponsored emancipation commemoration events since 2003.
Group spokesperson Yoki K Hanley said Sunday that St. Croix Administrator Gregory Francis has also been key in helping the group put together the activities from the very beginning and has still remained key in helping the group grow into a nonprofit organization.
Group member Mary Moorhead said she wants to see more involvement from all levels of the community. The group will hold donkey races at Randall James Racetrack on July 1, and Moorhead is calling for volunteers – jockeys to ride the donkeys, and sponsors for the races and the donkeys.
She said some of the donkeys will be brought from St. John because there aren't enough on St. Croix for the races.
The group is also reviving its Tea Meeting fundraiser.
Hanley wants it to be clear that the donkey races are just a way of kicking off a whole week of activities that focus on the emancipation of slaves and the speech given by Mario Moorhead.
Hanley said, "Last year's July 3rd day events were excellent and it only gets better with
each year." (See "Colorful Characters Abound at Emancipation Tea Meeting").
Last year was the first time in many years that the races were held at the racetrack. In 2004 about 15 races were held at a makeshift track erected at the Paul E. Joseph Stadium in Frederiksted.
Hanley said people get involved in the History, Culture & Tradition Foundation because it helps develop a sense of culture and an interest in learning something positive about early island residents.
She sees the events of the emancipation celebration becoming "much like how Carnival is the big tourism boost for St. Thomas and our own Christmas Festival is for us here on St. Croix."
She compares the possibilities in the territory to those of Gettysburg, Pa., where there are many sites dedicated to the Civil War era of American history, and where the re-enactment weekly the battle considered the turning point of that war.
Hanley said, "We want to have an emancipation village. People do not realize we are the only island to attain freedom from slavery without shedding blood."
She said that the group works so that old traditions are not lost and that the experience of being in the group has had an impact on her.
"I am constantly learning something new about my island, my people and my history. I have learned so much since the first meeting. I think this is one of the best ways that I can give something back to my island and to her beautiful people."
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