Findings ways to right wrongs of slavery
Published on: 10/4/06.

by TONY BEST

TURN BACK the hands of the clock.

It's 1807 and Britain has just passed the 1807 Slave Trade Abolition Act, a legal prelude to the end of one of history's abominations: slavery. The reaction of Blacks held in bondage in Barbados "appeared increasingly anxious and restless".

As Professor Hilary Beckles, perhaps the Caribbean's leading historian, explained it in his book, A History Of Barbados, the Black Bajan reaction was traceable to "their perception that the possibility of obtaining imperial freedom was, unlike all previous times, fairly good".

Almost 200 years after that historic milestone in world history, Caribbean states are demanding that the United Nations celebrate the anniversary of the momentous event with a purpose.

From Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Grenada and the Bahamas to Dominica and St Lucia, the call is the same: the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery must resonate around the world.

"This will not only deepen our knowledge and understanding of slavery and the slave trade," said Dame Billie Miller, Barbados' Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, "but also contribute to the removal of the vestiges of slavery."

Dr Ralph Gonsalves, St. Vincent's Prime Minister, didn't stop there. He wants the UN to put the issue of reparations squarely on the table for discussion.

"There has been no apology for this crime against humanity and genocide, conducted over a prolonged period," he said in a recent address to the UN General Assembly. "There has been no practical recompense in the form of reparations to the affected nations and peoples in Africa, the Caribbean and the Americas. Surely, this issue must be put squarely on the agenda of the United Nations for speedy resolution."

Gonsalves, recognised in Caribbean academic circles as a scholar, waxed eloquently as he asserted "European nations and their North American cousins" must answer for their crimes.

"Europe has much to answer for on these matters and should be made to answer properly, appropriately," he said. "Historic wrongs not righted remain scars on the soul of the oppressor and the oppressed alike which continue to haunt over the ages. It is a hateful burden, which must be lifted. This dark night must give way to a brightened day."

For its part, Jamaica served notice that the Caribbean plans to table a resolution at the current session of the General Assembly, "with the expectation", said Anthony Hylton, its foreign minister, "that the General Assembly will appropriately recognise the event".

The Bahamas has taken a different approach. While signalling the world body that it supports the "CARICOM initiative to encourage the United Nations to mark and commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition" of the slave trade, it is taking steps on its own to educate its people's about the abhorrent nature of slavery and the positive features of Afro-Caribbean culture.

It outlined some of its plans for domestic celebrations, including a Festival of Arts, which is to run from March next year to January 2008.

"A different country or region will be showcased each month during the festival as a means of exposing Bahamians to the rich culture of Africa through theatre, art, music and dance," explained Fred Mitchell, the Bahamian foreign minister.

When Petrus Compton, St Lucia's Minister of External Affairs, raised the issue at the UN, he said his country was backing the plan for a UN commemoration next year because the passage of the bill in the British parliament in 1807 "began the process of the abolition of slavery in the British Empire".

Like Gonsalves, he described slavery "as a crime against humanity".

While Trinidad and Tobago's UN ambassador Philip Sealy stopped way short of Gonsalves' and Compton's characterisation of slavery, he did link Haiti's struggle for independence in the Caribbean with the abolition of the slave trade, calling them "significant developments" of an international nature.

"The slave trade has had adverse long-term effects on the social and economic development of parts of Africa that is still being felt today," he said.
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