Debate competition major highlight for Paul Bogle Day

The Grand Finals of the Paul Bogle and The Warriors Debate Competition will be the centrepiece of this year’s Paul Bogle Day commemorations in St Thomas. The event takes place today at the Anglican Church Hall in Morant Bay, adjacent to the Old Courthouse where Paul Bogle was executed and buried in 1865, a location of deep historical significance. The area, named Paul Bogle Square, stands as a monument to Jamaica’s enduring legacy of resistance and the fight for justice.

In 1865, on October 11, war broke out in Morant Bay between the formerly enslaved African population and the former enslavers, who, despite the abolition of slavery, maintained control over the colonial state and economy. This uprising, led by Paul Bogle and others, was sparked by the refusal of the formerly enslaved to accept conditions that, while legally free, remained indistinguishable from slavery.

In response, British colonial forces brutally suppressed the rebellion, executing Bogle, his brother Moses Bogle, his 23 year-old secretary, James McLaren, and hundreds of others in the weeks that followed. Prominent leaders like George William Gordon, Letitia Geoghegan and Rosanna Finlayson were also among those killed. Official records put the death toll at 439, although some estimates suggest as many as 1,500 lives were lost.

POWERFUL REMINDER

In recognition of the importance of this event in Jamaica’s history, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen declared October 11 as Paul Bogle Day last year, a day dedicated to honouring the memory and vision of these heroes who fought for justice and freedom.

A release from the organisers notes that “the Paul Bogle and The Warriors Debate Competition serves as a platform for young minds to engage in thoughtful discourse on critical historical, cultural, and socio-political issues”. High schools from St Thomas and Portland will face off in this unique competition, which is now in its fourth year and is organised by the St Thomas Renaissance Foundation.

Debate coordinator, Shelly-Ann Thompson, emphasised the significance of the competition in preserving Jamaica’s rich history and fostering critical thinking among youth, stating: “The Paul Bogle and The Warriors Debate Competition is more than just a showcase of talent. It’s a powerful reminder of the legacy we carry. Through the voices of our young debaters, we honour the courage of Paul Bogle and those who fought for justice, while inspiring a new generation to think critically about our history, culture, and future.”

The third-place play-off will see Seaforth High and Happy Grove High debating the motion: ‘This house believes that social media is more of a distraction than a tool for educational development’. In the Grand Finals, Morant Bay High and Robert Lightbourne High will battle over the motion: ‘This house prefers the commemoration of periods such as Paul Bogle Day, National Heroes Day, and Black History Month over the promotion of Western enlightenment ideals as the foundation for progressive societal change’.

All debaters will receive recognition, with top prizes sponsored by First Heritage Cooperative Credit Union, Vashi Khemlani Foundation, Derrimon Trading, and Beauty Matters.

The release notes that “the Paul Bogle and The Warriors Debate Competition is the only one of its kind in Jamaica that focuses on topics rooted in the nation’s history and cultural identity, encouraging the next generation to honour their heritage while addressing contemporary societal issues”.