REMEMBERING SLAVERY

The transatlantic slave trade was responsible for the forced migration of between 12-15 million people from Africa to the Western Hemisphere from the middle of the 15th century to the end of the 19th century. The trafficking of Africans by the major European countries during this period is sometimes referred to by African scholars as the Maafa ('great disaster' in Swahili). It's now considered a crime against humanity. The slave trade not only led to the violent transportation overseas of millions of Africans but also to the deaths of many millions more. Nobody knows the total number of people who died during slave raiding, transportation and imprisonment or in horrendous conditions during the so-called Middle Passage, the voyage from Africa to the Americas. August 23 has been designated by UNESCO as International Slavery Remembrance Day. On that day in 1791 the first successful slave uprising in the western hemisphere took place in Haiti. This event led to the island's independence and was a major step towards the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich has marked the day for the past 10 years to highlight transatlantic slavery as a maritime history. It has now evolved into a well- established day of workshops, talks, walks, young people’s activities and gallery tours culminating in a unique commemorative ceremony by the River Thames. This year’s events will explore the museum’s vast collections relating to the transatlantic slave trade as well as focussing on the many local connections to be found in the Greenwich World Heritage site. On the day young people can take part in David Neita’s very popular Power of Poetry workshops where they can create their own verses ‘to move the masses’. There will also be a workshop where parents and children can contribute to a giant display of family treasures. Enter our archives and uncover true stories of slavery and resistance from rare and revealing documents. Join in an Ethnovox gospel workshop to learn the real messages behind some of our best-loved songs. Join SI Martin on a hidden history trail around the museum, Greenwich Park and the waterfront to find out more about writers like Equiano and Sancho as well as the lives of hundreds of sailors from Africa and the Caribbean over the centuries. To find out about the history of human bondage throughout history, listen to Professor Jeremy Black give his first public talk based on his forthcoming book ‘Slavery – A New Global History’. Gallery tours around the Slavery, Trade and Empire gallery will be led by the actor, Burt Caesar, who will also be the Master of ceremonies for the day. There will be an additional tour of the Queen’s House, where you can unlock the hidden stories behind the collections in this stately house. All events are free and family friendly. All are welcome. The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich holds events every year to mark International Slavery Remembrance day on August 23 REMEMBERING SLAVERY RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: july/august 2011 :: RMTnews 23