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I thought I ought to reply to this. The title suggested by Kwaku is to my mind far too long. And:
As far as I know, Holocaust Memorial Day also focuses on the victims and says nothing about those who resisted, one way or another. (Is my survival there?)
And yes, the Slavery Remembrance Day, as was the 2007 commemoration, when run by Whites usually focuses on the Whites who struggled, and not on Africans’ struggles. But what this indicates to me is that we should attempt the political struggle to educate everyone on the full history and the absolute necessity to highlight Africans’ struggles. And also to question the meaning of the 1807 Act. (Not implemented, as you know if you read my After Abolition.) And we should find ways of protesting the government funding of the Holocaust Memorial Day and not the Slavery Remembrance Day or the school teaching that should go with this.
From: The Black and Asian Studies Association [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of BBM/BMC
Sent: 26 November 2012 03:25
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: ‘Why I Say No To ‘Slavery Memorial Day’
Greetings Arthur,
Thanks for email.
Hopefully, others will respond to the 1772 Mansfield/Somersett case, which was the main reason for bringing up the Open Letter.
However, in response to your mail, this is to clarify the concerns raised in that long Open Letter:
1. Lessons from 2007 bicentenary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade Act make it clear that titles like Slavery Remembrance Day open the door for programmes that focus on horrors of enslavement without highlighting African abolitionists; over-emphasis of role of non-Africans; portrayal of Africans mostly as amorphous victims; and the sidelining of African abolitionists (good work by Equiano Society not withstanding) and freedom fighters - agents of their own liberation, which UNESCO sort to highlight by choosing Aug. 23 – how often does that emphasis come out Aug. 23 events?
2. The title is therefore important, as it is indicative of what can be offered, and names like Slavery Remembrance Day can be counter-productive. International Day of African Resistance Against Enslavement clearly sets the tone, and puts focus on what African freedom fighters did to free themselves and their people from the horrors of enslavement.
3. Reclaiming our history is so important that we need to close the door to opportunities for it to be told as the 'hunter' would like it to be told, and be proactive in ensuring that it has the right focus. Using International Day of African Resistance Against Enslavement ensures that the often hidden story of African resistance is told. Using the International Day of African Resistance Against Enslavement terminology does not necessarily mean locating every event around the narrow focus of Haiti, August 23 and African resistance. What it offers is a great opportunity to highlight and re-tell African histories of resilience and overcoming against great odds across the diaspora and over the ages.
4. This can help empower Africans, particularly young people who are disconnected with their African roots, whilst also highlighting some of the less well-known histories and counter-balancing some of the mis-information about chattel enslavement and its abolition.
Regarding the other points raised:
5. I felt no need to address that letter to Prime Minister David Cameron, because I don’t think the issue is with the Government per se.
The Government has been using the UNESCO terminology, which although not perfect in my opinion, is far better than those used by the libraries, museums, unions etc. Contrast “International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition” with “Slavery Memorial Day” or “Slavery Remembrance Day”.
6. I am obviously bothered by what terminology is used, and as a member of the community, I’m being part of the change I want to see by using and advocating what I believe to be a more appropriate terminology and deliver (without funding, though I’m not against funding) Aug. 23 programmes that discuss/remember the stories of African resistance, etc.
7. I’m very much aware of your lobbying efforts in this area, and some of the knock backs you’ve had from Government agencies, particularly in highlighting the level of Government support for Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.
8. I would encourage those going for funding to go for Aug. 23 funding to mark International Day of African Resistance against Enslavement.
Kind regards
Kwaku
On 25 Nov 2012, at 06:51, arthur torrington wrote:
Your letter should have been addressed and sent to Prime Minister David Cameron, not just published in an online newspaper. I do remember that you wrote to me also about this in 2008/9.
I am certainly not bothered about the words 'slavery memorial' or 'slavery remembrance'. It is what the community does about the event that really matters. They can use the occasion to discuss/remember the stories of African resistance, etc.
Lobbying for change (to anything) is usually not a quick process, especially when it is about matters concerning the enslavement of one's African ancestors. I can send you reams of letters written to the British government, and each response from them tends to make me angrier.
Kwaku, I presume that you are mainly opposed to the name the government and UNESCO have given the memorial day. Don't let this bother you. They will not change the name because you have written to a newspaper, or to government ministers.
On 10 June 1999, Andrew Dismore MP asked Prime Minister Tony Blair about the creation of memorial day for the Holocaust. UNESCO also lobbied the British government to make January 27 a national day. In 2005 an annual government grant of £500,000 was given to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and the latter now receives £750,000 each year to keep alive the knowledge of the suffering and death of those who were in Nazi camps, etc. HMDT also campaigns against anti-Semitism and must be commended for doing so.