abolition of the slave trade
a reflection
I believe that the bicentenary in 2007 offers a chance for the country to
make a collective commitment to ensure that in another 200 years, no one should
feel the need to express the same level of regret for our actions today. That is
a bold ambition, but 2007 is the right year in which to make it…
David Lammy, Minister of Culture, December 2005
David Lammy in this statement voices the hope
in the hearts of many of the descendants of the enslaved Africans living
in Britain today. The hope that Britain may see the bicentenary as an
opportunity to confront with integrity this shameful part of human
history, through genuine efforts to understand that the legacies of five
hundred years of enslavement of Africans continue to shape how people
live globally and locally today. There is hope that the 2007
commemoration may honour the memory of their ancestors by creating a
powerful transforming landmark for the future.
The bicentenary is also an opportunity to pay tribute to the enduring power and
triumph of the human spirit against impossible odds. Within months of being
forcibly transported away from Africa, enslaved Africans throughout the colonies
were fighting for their freedom. Thousands perished but their resistance against
slavery and racist oppression continued. It is sobering to note that we
commemorate an act of parliament to end the trading in human lives, not slavery
itself. But the enslaved Africans themselves continued to resist in the face of
certain death. So there is hope that in addition to paying tribute to the
courage of the women and men in the abolition movement, the brave resistance of
the enslaved themselves would also be remembered.
The United Reformed Church and the Church of England in 2006 both expressed
regret and apology respectively for the Church’s role in that shared history. In
addition both denominations acknowledged the Church’s key role in addressing the
legacies of the Slave Trade and the enslavement of Africans through telling the
story more widely now and to future generations, and through prayer, worship,
study, reflection and action. For that purpose Mission Council is encouraging
synods and local churches to mark the bicentenary using available ecumenical
worship resources, including a pack that is produced by the Racial Justice and
Multicultural Ministry office (available in early March 2007). In his address to
the General Synod in 2006 the Archbishop of Canterbury said:
‘To speak here of repentance and apology… we are actually discharging
our responsibility to preach good news, not simply to look backwards in
…embarrassment, but to speak of the freedom we are given to face
ourselves, including the unacceptable regions of… our history.’
This is an opportunity to ensure that we leave behind a legacy of human
dignity, freedom, and integrity. Can we do it?
Katalina Tahaafe-Williams is the Secretary for Racial Justice and
Multicultural Ministry
Events throughout the year
As the bicentenary date approaches (25th March
is 200 years to the day since the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act was
passed), many churches will be marking the occasion with special
services and events exploring the theme. It is also important to
recognise that the bicentenary covers the whole year and, crucially,
that the legacies of the transatlantic slave trade will require our
concern and action beyond 2007 to effect change. A number of URC
meetings in Scotland, Wales and England will be marking the event,
including; March Synods, Mission Council, the Ethnic Minority Lay and
Ordained Ministers Association, Racial Justice and Multicultural
Ministry Advocates Residential, and the Second URC Annual Ghanaian
Conference.
On 27th March the Moderator, General
Secretary, and representatives of Racial Justice and Multicultural
Ministry and Church and Society will be attending the Commemoration
Service at Westminster Abbey on behalf of the United Reformed Church.
General Assembly 2007 will also mark the
event, to include a formal statement of deep regret in recognition of
Britain’s involvement and specifically the links that our own
predecessors had to the slave trade.
The Racial Justice Sunday pack will have the
theme of slavery and its implications. This can be used on Sunday 9th
September or throughout 2007.
A URC worship resource pack will be available
in early March.
Resources from Set all free, the project of
Churches Together in England established to commemorate the bicentenary:
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worship resources for use on 25 March, or
any date, are downloadable from
www.setallfree.net – select ‘resources’
> worship materials. Included are prayers and reflections to use
throughout the year.
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new leaflet with an overview of the
bicentenary and information on the legacies of Transatlantic and
modern slavery. To order copies (minimum of 20 suggested), contact
Lorraine Shannon at Churches Together in England (020 7529 8131 or
email
lorraine.shannon@cte.org.uk. The
leaflets are free but a donation towards costs would be appreciated.
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events Go to the ‘What’s on’ section of
the Set all free website to register your event and/or find out
what’s happening in your area.
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Commemorative postage stamps, featuring
six of the abolitionists, are to be issued on 22 March.
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