200 years since the abolition of the slave trade
Who really ended slavery?
Speakers Paul Gilroy, Weyman Bennett
The 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade has rightly initiated a discussion not simply about the wrongs that slavery brought on millions of Black people, but also about its economic role and how it was abolished.
Birmingham, like many other cities, has both its heroes and villains. The supply of the manacles to the trade is a horrific memory, while those who campaigned against it are to be celebrated.
This public meeting will look at 2 critical elements.
Firstly the role that the slave trade played in financing, and providing the stimulus for, the industrial revolution. Many of the great industrialists of the time were financed by money coming directly from the slave trade.
Secondly, and an element that is far too often forgotten, the role of the slaves themselves in destroying slavery. The rebellion of the slaves in Haiti was the beginning of the end for slavery. The British dominion of Jamaica saw its own uprising by slaves. In Britain freed slaves played an important part in the campaign to abolish the trade, alongside the likes of William Wilberforce MP.
Meeting details:
Wednesday 11th April 7pm
Afro-Caribbean Millennium Centre, 339 Dudley Rd , Winson Green
Who really ended slavery?
Speakers Paul Gilroy, Weyman Bennett
The 200th anniversary of the abolition of the British slave trade has rightly initiated a discussion not simply about the wrongs that slavery brought on millions of Black people, but also about its economic role and how it was abolished.
Birmingham, like many other cities, has both its heroes and villains. The supply of the manacles to the trade is a horrific memory, while those who campaigned against it are to be celebrated.
This public meeting will look at 2 critical elements.
Firstly the role that the slave trade played in financing, and providing the stimulus for, the industrial revolution. Many of the great industrialists of the time were financed by money coming directly from the slave trade.
Secondly, and an element that is far too often forgotten, the role of the slaves themselves in destroying slavery. The rebellion of the slaves in Haiti was the beginning of the end for slavery. The British dominion of Jamaica saw its own uprising by slaves. In Britain freed slaves played an important part in the campaign to abolish the trade, alongside the likes of William Wilberforce MP.
Meeting details:
Wednesday 11th April 7pm
Afro-Caribbean Millennium Centre, 339 Dudley Rd , Winson Green
Speakers:
Paul Gilroy is a leading Black British writer on racism. He wrote the seminal “There ain’t no black in the Union Jack” and whilst a doctoral student with Stuart Hall in Birmingham University Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies co-wrote “The empire strikes back: race and racism in 1970’s Britain ”
Weyman Bennett is the joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism
Paul Gilroy is a leading Black British writer on racism. He wrote the seminal “There ain’t no black in the Union Jack” and whilst a doctoral student with Stuart Hall in Birmingham University Centre for Contemporary Cultural Studies co-wrote “The empire strikes back: race and racism in 1970’s Britain ”
Weyman Bennett is the joint secretary of Unite Against Fascism
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