What is the legacy of slavery today?
How should we remember the trans-Atlantic slave trade?
On Sunday it will be exactly 200 years since the British parliament passed the Act of Abolition, which banned the trafficking of slaves from Africa to the New World.
Over 11 million people are thought to have been forcibly transported across the Atlantic and over a million of those died on the journey. The slaves were put to work on plantations which generated huge wealth for their owners.
But it created terrible suffering for the victims, left Africa impoverished and created the conditions for the subsequent colonisation of the continent.
Should Europe pay reparations for slavery? Should western politicians apologise for the slave trade? What are the main consequences of slavery today? How should we mark this 200th anniversary?
We'll be debating these issues in Have Your Say on Sunday at 1400 GMT. Our guest will be Professor of History, Simon Schama, you can put your questions directly to him. If you would like to take part, please include your telephone number with your comment. Your number will not be published.
http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?threadID=5793&&edition=2&ttl=20070324230801
Accueil 
