The recent spate of shootings and stabbings, and the growth in gang culture in South London and elsewhere has often been characterised as a product of the disruption of social structures and cultural identities caused by slavery and colonisation.

Others maintain that such explanations insulate communities from taking responsibility for tackling these problems.

At Beyond Slavery, a panel of black cultural commentators, historians and community leaders shared their perspectives with an invited audience of local authority officers, the police, teachers and the wider public to address the issues and develop networks of understanding to lay the foundation for collective action to promote greater community cohesion and harmony.

Ten videos covering the speakers, open forum and post conference interviews are available on You Tube to view.

Introduction: Henry Bonsu.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVzf9fbdMOQ

Colourful Radio Presenter and Broadcaster Henry Bonsu introduces the Beyond Slavery seminar and speaks about the recent racist comments made by Boris Johnson, the Conservative London Mayoral candidate.

Dr William (Lez) Henry, Academic, Youthworker, Dancehall DJ.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epYrIktYkpg

Academic Dr William Henry discusses the history of slavery and perceptions of racism, from the times of the Egyptian Empire to the Jena Six case in Louisiana, America.

Question and Answers with Dr William (Lez) Henry.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fkw0AGjLHQ

Dr William Henry takes some questions from the audience after his talk at Beyond Slavery.

Decima Francis MBE, founder/director SASS, From Boyhood to Manhood Foundation (FBMF), Peace on the Streets, and “Calling the Shots” anti gun crime initiative.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QAxWy9-cGA

At the Beyond Slavery conference she talks on the issues of racism, prejudice and black history.

Ty, Hip Hop MC and producer.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDD9Qz5uQOA

Ty, discusses Hip Hop music, the music industry and argues that it is not time to move on from slavery because the world still does not understand the damage done.

Sybil Phoenix MBE, Methodist minister, foster mother, community leader and ex-mayor of Lewisham.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlY1m474QYk

Mrs Phoenix discusses her life as a black foster mother, fostering hundreds of children in her life, and what happened when she was nominated for an MBE as the first black woman.

Open Forum Part One.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOfHxfirDuE

Decima Francis explains the Pathways Initiative about to be introduced into London, a program to sweep the youth from the London streets, to “clean up” London prior to the 2012 London Olympics. Pathways is exact to the programs previously seen in Atlanta and Los Angeles, USA, that saw thousands of young black people being incarcerated for the most minor of crimes.

Dr William Henry draws his serious concerns and repercussions to the Pathways Initiative.

Hip Hop artist, Ty, points out that the 27 reported gang-related murders in London in 2007 is nothing new, it has always been going on.

So Solid Crew founder, Megaman, draws his concerns to Project Trident, the Metropolitan Police-backed initiative to tackle gang-related crime and violence.

Open Forum Part Two.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOmzBd8_yNs

Teacher and Warrior, Spartacus, delivers an incredibly powerful speech on enslavement, not slavery, through warfare and declares the war is still going on. Audience members state the directly visible war is now between young people killing each other because they live in neighbouring communities with differing postcodes.

Megaman (So Solid Crew) dishes out some wise advice on allowing communities to tackle gangs, instead of authorities attempting to tackle the crimes head on .

Open Forum Part Three.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgGzlaSaE50

Computer games, television and modern-day slavery are called into question.
Hip Hop artist, Ty, calls for dialogue with troubled children, praising the children who aspire and the trouble with Tim Westwood.

Spartacus talks more on the war, propaganda and information, and moving forward against the war for profit.

Megaman (So Solid Crew) finalises by stating the seeds being planted will not be seen by the hand that sows them.

Decima Francis ends the seminar on one simple piece of advice,” just listen”.

Post Conference Interviews.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RE_DL4_Z3Mw

Henry Bonsu , Megaman and Ty talk on how they viewed the success of the conference and where to move forward in terms of the slavery issue, and gun and knife crime.