25th March 2007 marked the Bicentenary the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act.
Bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade
25 March 2007 will mark 200 years since the 1807 Abolition of the Slave Trade Act,
which outlawed the slave trade throughout the British Empire. Slavery had been abolished by law, but it would take many years to take full effect throughout the empire.
There are so many aspects to this complex history. There are different and very strongly held views as to the historical facts of the Trans-Atlantic slavery, the moral and legal responsibilities of those involved, and the lasting effects of slavery in this country and abroad.
In 1807 law was passed to abolish the Transatlantic Slave Trade, however slaves were not given full freedom until 1838. Some praise the achievement of the abolitionist campaigner, William Wilberforce MP, others question the decision to have compensation paid to slave owners, including the Church of England.
To most the abolition of slavery was accepted as an act of humanitarianism, to others economic factors were principle reason, claiming that from the 1770s onwards the British slave owner position in the Caribbean was waning.
Britain was not unique in its involvement in the slave trade, nor was it the only country to benefit financially. Many European countries were active in slave trading including the French, Spanish and Portuguese colonies, however Britain became dominant. African rulers and traders also helped to provide the supply of slaves.
Many are familiar with the 'heroes' of the abolition movement William Wilberforce, Olaudah Equiano, and Ignatius Sancho but there were many others involved along the way, freedom fighters, including Queen Nanny, Bussa, Paul Bogle, to name but a few played key roles in de stabilising the British position in the Caribbean. Those who fought against slavery, signed petitions, marched and lobbied for change, came from all backgrounds, they included slaves, former slaves, community leaders, and ordinary British citizens.
2007 could provide the opportunity for the British government to lead the way and recognise and acknowledge the wrongs of history, and its continuing effects.
The Bicentenary provides the opportunity to learn remember the millions of victims of the trade, to pay tribute all those both black and white, who brought it to an end.
DARK HERITAGE
Dark Heritage will travel to six locations in the UK starting in Greenwich in May and finishing in Bolton in December 2007
THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM
The 200th anniversary of the Act of Parliament abolishing the slave trade will be commemorated at a special service at All Saints Church, as part of a series of bicentenary events in Hammersmith & Fulham and across the country.
CAMDEN BICENTENARY EVENTS
A range of films, talks and exhibitions will be staged throughout the year aimed at raising awareness of the trade and its legacy which is still effecting countries and communities around the world.
NEVER FORGET
'Never Forget'- that is Lambeth Council's message, as the date to commemorate the bicentenary of the passing of an Act to abolish the slave trade draws near.
CHASING FREEDOM
A special exhibition telling the unique story of the Royal Navy's role in fighting the slave trade.
PORTRAITS, PEOPLE AND ABOLITION
To commemorate the bicentenary, a trail through the National Portrait Gallery’s Collection, and a special programme of events will explore different aspects of the Trade and its legacy.
JOIN THE DEBATE
Museum in Docklands and BBC London 94.9 invite you to join this debate commemorating the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade act.
2007 BICENTENARY FORUM
2007 Bicentenary Cross-Community Forum on 'Global Justice Today and the Legacies of Enslavement'
BREAKING THE CHAINS
The exhibition, 'Breaking the Chains', is being developed by the British Empire & Commonwealth Museum in partnership with Bristol City Council’s Museums, Galleries and Archives Service.
HANDS UP FOR FREEDOM
Due to unforeseen circumstances the temporary anti-slavery exhibition is on hold for a while. So Hands up for Freedom is not on display at Museum of London now.
SLAVERY - UNFINISHED BUSINESS
An International Interdisciplinary Conference to be held in Hull 16-19 May 2007
The University of Hull, through its newly established Wilberforce Institute for the study of Slavery and Emancipation (WISE)
Events
The Ira Aldridge Bicentenary Project
A collaborative partnership between Shango Baku (CETTIE), Oku Ekpenyon (Historian),
Carol Dixon (MLA) and Leon Robinson (Positive Steps) October 2006 - December 2007 The project will mount performances,
workshops, discussions, and an
exhibition on the life of Ira Aldridge,
Black dramatist and actor extraordinaire
(1807-1867). Splendid Mummer, a play
by Lonnie Elder III on the life of Aldridge,
will be produced in July 2007 at the Old
Vic (where he performed in the 1820's)
and other venues to mark the
bicentenary of Aldridge's birth. Click here for more
Film - Double Bill
Catch A Fire And The Lion Mountains
Address: 24-26 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7JY Dates: 31 May 2007 - 31 May 2007
Times: 10:00 Catch a Fire - Director Menelik Shabaz This film charts the reasons for, and results of, the Morant Bay rebellion of 1865. Thirty one years after slavery was 'abolished' Africans were still forced to live in slave-like conditions and discrimination continued. Under the leadership of Paul Bogle, often described as a 19th century Malcolm X, Africans in Jamaica rebelled.
The Lion Mountains Dir Louis Buckley 25 year old Louis Buckley was born in London and lives
in Paddington. In his documentary he traces his roots
back to Sierra Leone, a country rich in natural resources
yet one of the poorest in the world. Buckley looks at black
revolutionaries, the abolition of the slave trade,
Admission is free but please book a place by calling 020 7641 2498 or emailing arts@westminster.gov.uk at least 24 hours before the event. DVDs will be available for sale on the day. Email: info@blackhistorywalks.co.uk
Uncomfortable Truths
Victoria and Albert Museum 20 February - 17 June 2007 A contemporary exhibition of new and specially commissioned work. The exhibition will address the ways in which the legacy of slavery informs contemporary art and design in a display of a series of works throughout the museum's public spaces, seeking to reassess human cost of slavery.
In conjunction with the exhibition there will also be a series of trails throughout the V&A's permanent collection from 20 February 2007- December 2007 that highlight the hidden - and often unexpected - links to slavery.
There will also be a conference on 23 & 24 February 2007, "From cane field to tea-cup: The impact of the trans-Atlantic slave trade on Art", which will examine and recontextualise the production, circulation and collection of design and the decorative arts in relation to the slave trade's generation of wealth
JOURNEY THROUGH TIME 1 to 2pm - PARADE
2 to 3pm - COMMEMORATION
COME AND JOIN LUTON & BEDFORDSHIRE IN commemorating a momentous milestone on Sunday, 25th March 2007. This date marks the 200th Anniversary of the 1807 Abolition of Slave Trade Act.
Please come out with your family, friends and community groups and parade in unison with members of local communities, watch the live performances in St George’s Square (by the library), Luton Town Centre. Meet old friends and make new ones. Dress warmly and make this date the start of your personal journey!
Until lions tell their tale, the story of the hunt will always glorify the hunter. - African Proverb
Crime, poor education, poverty, self-hatred, prison system, broken homes plague people of African decent globally - Why?
Filmed in over twenty countries and on five continents, 500 Years Later is a compelling journey, infused with the spirit and music of liberation, that chronicles the struggle of a people from enslavement who continue to fight for the most essential human right - freedom.500 Years Later , is an epic multi-award winning documentary directed by Owen 'Alik Shahadah and written/produced by M.K. Asante, Jr.
SLAVE TRADE TIMELINE
Learn more about times and dates of important events during the Trans Atlantic Slave trade.
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