Livingstone Apologises for Slave Trade
I am learning tonight about David Livingston the Christian missionary who felt god called him to end the slave trade. Even as I write the words ‘slave trade’ I cannot imagine what it would be like to be seen as inferior and traded like cattle. To be plucked out of the known world of freedom to emerge in chains as chattles with no rights, no respect and cruel treatment. When I look at African people across their great continent I can see the incredible beauty of these people. I befriended a Congolese woman to find her totally honest and open. She had a music in her soul and a presence that was commanding as she walked in the room. I saw a greatness and loyalty in her. It was a priviledge to know her. Yesterday I met a white man who grew up in Zimbabwe. I asked what it was like. He said they are the most wonderful people, very kind and loving. He loved the people. I found out that 70% of all HIV Aids deaths are in Africa. When I think of the trials and tribulations of African people they have been in a depression for a long time, yet when we have some gliches in the financial markets here, or people lose their jobs there is outrage. Yet an ignorant silence surrounds Africa. It is the most diverse and extraordinary continent in the world and still the wilds remain.
I found this article below. There is a statement in the article where some believe they were not responsible for the slave trade, that previous generations were. I’ve heard that argument here in Australia in respect of Indigenous Australians. However, when I found myself standing with an indigenous elder around a sacred fire in Canberra, she told me how she was part of the Stolen Generation (taken from parents and placed in white families). I gave her a hug and naturally said I was sorry to hear her story. There was nothing politically correct in that, I simply felt empathy for her situation. I didn’t participate in any policy or support it, however as I am aware of it, I want indigenous people to know that other white (or pink) people don’t share racist ideas. My hug was to show her love and solidarity. So I feel it is about facing the past from which many people have benefited materially and apologise showing empathy for past mistakes and working towards equality and respect. We barely know the true story of slavery driven by greed and racism.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2007/aug/24/london.humanrights
Livingstone weeps as he apologises for slavery
Ken Livingstone yesterday marked the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade with an emotional and tearful ceremonial apology on behalf of the capital city and its institutions. The London mayor wept as he told a commemorative service of the cruelties inflicted on the millions transported from Africa and the legacy that confronts them today.
Before an audience of politicians, writers and dignitaries, he twice paused during his address. As he voiced the apology, the US civil rights leader the Rev Jesse Jackson walked over and placed his arm around the mayor. Mr Livingstone completed the long awaited statement, dabbing tears from his eyes, his voice shaky.
Before leaving office Tony Blair expressed “regret” for Britain’s involvement in the slave trade, but he was criticised by some – including Mr Livingstone – for not going further. In March the mayor called on the institutions to say sorry.
Yesterday, to wide applause at City Hall, he said: “As mayor I offer an apology on behalf of London and its institutions for their role in the transatlantic slave trade. Some say that recognising such a crime is a form of – and I quote – ‘national self hate’. But the late Senator Bobby Kennedy often quoted the French writer Albert Camus who wrote: ‘I should like to be able to love my country and still love justice’.”
He said London continued to benefit massively from the fortunes made by slavers. He added: “It was the racial murder of not just those who were transported but generations of enslaved African men, women and children. To justify this murder and torture black people had to be declared inferior or not human. We live with the consequences today.”
Afterwards he said he had read the address several times before delivering it but “had no idea how overwhelming it was going to be”.
Apologies have been made by the city of Liverpool and the Church of England synod. But earlier this year the Conservative leader, David Cameron, appeared to dismiss the idea, saying: “I don’t actually think that one generation can meaningfully apologise for something that a previous generation did.”
The mayor, who was speaking at London’s first Annual Slavery Memorial Day ceremony, called on national leaders to accelerate their plans to have a UK wide event each year. The date marked yesterday coincides with the great slave rebellion in Haiti on August 23 1791, and is the date preferred by Unesco.
Francoise Riviere, assistant director general for culture at Unesco, heaped praise on the mayor. “You have distinguished yourself as the first high-visibility elected official to take such a historic stand, thereby setting an example.”
Aidan McQuade, director of Anti-Slavery International, said: “This will help increase pressure for a formal apology from the government and an annual national slavery memorial day.”
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