“Whenever I hear anyone arguing for slavery,
I feel a strong impulse to see it tried on him personally” ~Abraham Lincoln
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| Image Credit: International Slavery Museum |
It is one of the darkest periods of human
existence so far... mothers lost their sons, husbands lost their wives, and
children lost their parents. With chains around their necks and ankles, these innocent
people were packed and shipped to the west; made to work in fields and coal
mines; for days and nights without food or water; in sweat tears, and blood
they worked. Tilling the hard soil, hoping someday freedom will fall from
heaven.
Well, those years are gone, but we can’t
forget the lives that were lost in a hurry. In my quest to relive the experience
of those victims of slave trade, I decided to take a stroll in the
International Slavery Museum, Liverpool. My guide on this tour is Mr. Stephen
Carl-Lokko (The Collections development officer, International Slavery Museum,
Liverpool)
I invite you to take this stroll with us, as
we relive the years and relearn the lessons slave trade taught us. Here we go:
Ebenezar: Thank you Mr. Stephen for
taking this stroll with me.
Stephen: The pleasure is mine Ebenezar, you’re
welcome to the International Slavery Museum.
Ebenezar: Thank you very much... The 'uprising' against slave trade and colonialism started
in August 1791 and this uprising eventually led to the fall of slave trade in
the world, but I had a stroll with the CNN Freedom Project a couple of months
ago, and from that interview they told me slavery still exists in this modern
times despite civilization. I really found it hard to believe, what do you
think? Is slave trade really over?
Stephen:
Unfortunately not, the International Labour Organisation estimates that there
are at least 20.9 million men, women and children who are victims of forced
labour, trafficking and enslavement in the world today.
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| Image Credit: istockphoto.com/ Erik Kolstad |
Ebenezar: Wow! Over 20 million? What do you think is the solution to this problem then?
Is it really possible to eradicate slavery for good?
Stephen:
I think an important tool in combating slavery and promoting its eradication is
to speak up. Any form of enslavement of human beings is to deprive a person of
their human right to a fair and free life and we should speak up about that
where and when we can. Successful campaigns to increase public awareness
about modern slavery rely on the support of individuals without which
organisations such as Anti-Slavery International will not be able to continue
to fight against the various forms of slavery present in the world today. There
are many ways to help, from making a donation to becoming a volunteer, from joining
a campaigns network, to taking part in a sponsored event. Let’s all get
involved!
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| Image Credit: popularis |
Ebenezar:
Yeah, we all need to get involved. I'm sure you heard a recent story in the
news of bananas being thrown at an Italian minister. Early this year, the AC
Milan football star; Prince Boateng had to walk off the pitch because of racists
chants directed at him during a football match, and it's not just in Italy,
this racism thing is found in every part of the earth. What do you think about
racism?
Stephen:
Such instances of racial discrimination and others like them should not be
tolerated and although the problem itself is a global one, it is only through
challenging such behaviour by speaking out against and through education that
we can continue to work towards a more tolerant society.
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| A gallery at the International Slavery Museum |
Ebenezar:
I'm sure some people around the world will want to know more about the
International Slavery Museum, the exhibitions on display as well as the periods
of displays. So, can you tell us a little about it?
Stephen:
The International Slavery Museum opened on 23 August 2007 and features dynamic,
powerful and moving displays about the transatlantic slave trade and its
legacies. The museum has three galleries: Life in West Africa, Enslavement, and the Middle Passage and Legacy and covering the 17th century
right-up to the present day.
The
museum includes displays which address issues such as freedom, identity, human
rights, racial discrimination, and cultural change. In 2010 the museum opened a
new Campaign Zone and Community Space that aims to raise public awareness of
the various modern forms of slavery existing in the world today.
Ebenezar: That’s nice... ever since it was set up, the United Nations has been doing a
great job to maintain peace and development on earth, but do you think the UN
and UNESCO have done enough to fight slavery and racism?
Stephen:
I think some organisations work better than others at fighting slavery and
racism, but through organisations such as the UN’s International Labour
Organisation and their initiatives to combat slavery and forced labour by
working towards establishing legislation that protects the rights of workers
across the globe, we have a great example of how the UN is commitment to
tackling slavery and racism in the 21st century.
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| Image Credit: International Slavery Museum |
Ebenezar:
Thank you so much for your time Mr. Stephen, it was great strolling with you
and reliving this experience.
Stephen:
you’re welcome Ebenezar.
************************************************************************************************************
For
more about the International Slavery Museum (@Slaverymuseum) and to view dates and times for
exhibitions, click here
It’s
really sad to note that slave trade is still present in the world today;
despite the level of civilization we now have in the world today. It is obvious
many people have lost their conscience, and don’t want to find it again. Many
others who might claim they are not involved in slavery first hand have also blocked
their ears to the cries of oppression around them.
Are
we still human beings? Do we really love one another? Do we still value human
life? Then let us take our stand against modern day slavery today. Say NO to
Slavery!
Till
my next stroll; be free... Jesus Loves You
Ebenezar Wikina (@poeticjazz)
THE STROLL
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF
SLAVE TRADE AND IT’S ABOLITION
AUGUST 2013
All Rights Reserved
THE STROLL WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
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