Sam Sharpe
George William Gordon
As a slave in 19th century
Jamaica he experienced the
oppression, ill-treatment
and unfairness dealt by the
slaves on the plantations.
With his acquire intelligence
and leadership skills he led
rebellions for the abolition of slavery. He was the
leader of the highlighted
“Christmas Rebellion in
Montego Bay setting on fire
the Kensington Estate Great
House. Many slaves while
a few whites died. Sam was
hanged on May 23, 1832.
Two years later the abolitions bill was passed and
four years after that slavery
was abolished.
He is famous for his words
“I would rather die upon
yonder gallows than live in
slavery.”
As a mullato born from a slave
mother and a plantation owner
father he was a self-educated
person. As a land owner he entered politics in efforts to help
the freed people survive among
the injustices of the government. He bought and sold small
pieces of land so that some of
these freed slaves would have
leverage on which they could
gain influence in government
decisions. However, George
was charged, arrested, illegally
tried, sentenced to death and
executed on October 23, 1865.
His death was because of allegations of him being an accomplice to Paul Bogle in the
Morant Bay Rebellion.
YaaD RoC Magazine || CUlture || Page 4
Norman Washington
Manley
Founder of the People’s National Party (PNP) Norman
was a phenomenal persona.
Being an athlete, scholar,
soldier in the first World War
and a lawyer, his knowledge
and affluence afforded him
the ability to effectively
help the Jamaican people.
He advocated for the labour
trouble of 1938, supported
the trade union movement
and was a great advocate
of the West Indies Federation. He was primary in the
process of Jamaica gaining
independence. He facilitated
for Jamaica’s withdrawal
from the Federation which
eventually led to Jamaica
gaining independence.