FREEDOMFREEDOM20072007

The The BicentenaryBicentenary

of the of the AbolitionAbolitionof the of the

Transatlantic Transatlantic Slave Slave TradeTrade

AimAim To support scTo support schools and hools and other groups to develop other groups to develop ongoing programmes ongoing programmes

around the Bicentenary around the Bicentenary of the Abolition of the of the Abolition of the Transatlantic slave Transatlantic slave

Trade.Trade.

• ObjectivesObjectives

To provide a background To provide a background

To discuss the impact of To discuss the impact of the storyteller’s viewpoint the storyteller’s viewpoint

To share good practiceTo share good practiceprinciplesprinciples

To encourage you to plan To encourage you to plan activities that apply good activities that apply good practice principlespractice principles

•The history of the TST is complex and impacts on many levels. It is difficult to define.

•Human indignity, suffering and cruelty are central to this history

Remember it is a history that Remember it is a history that illustrates the power of the human illustrates the power of the human spirit and how dignity, human spirit and how dignity, human rights and culture were retained rights and culture were retained and regained.and regained.

A message relevant to us all – and A message relevant to us all – and important to tell.important to tell.

The StorytellerThe Storyteller

Principles to Principles to adopt /Pitfalls to adopt /Pitfalls to

avoidavoid

Make sure every child can maintain Make sure every child can maintain their dignity and self esteem their dignity and self esteem during the teaching of this topic.during the teaching of this topic.

In 1937 William Prescott, a former slave wrote: They will remember that we were sold

But they won’t remember that we were strongThey will remember that we were bought,But not that we were brave.

Do not approach the topic from a Do not approach the topic from a deficit model of Africa and the deficit model of Africa and the Caribbean.Caribbean.

Make sure the resources you use Make sure the resources you use support your approach. support your approach.

Build your frame work around the Build your frame work around the foundation of the history of great foundation of the history of great African Civilizations.African Civilizations.

Put over the complex nature of Put over the complex nature of cruelty and oppression in the cruelty and oppression in the Atlantic slave trade and plantation Atlantic slave trade and plantation life.life.

Include the stories of African Heritage Include the stories of African Heritage leaders of rebellion and opposition in leaders of rebellion and opposition in the Caribbean and the Americas.the Caribbean and the Americas.

Include the stories of freed African Include the stories of freed African Heritage slaves and servants in Europe Heritage slaves and servants in Europe who took part in the fight for abolition.who took part in the fight for abolition.

Include the stories of white Include the stories of white abolitionists as role models in the fight abolitionists as role models in the fight against injustice, but not that they were against injustice, but not that they were the only ones responsible for the the only ones responsible for the abolition.abolition.

Place the topic in a context of human Place the topic in a context of human rights.rights.

Be aware that this is a sensitive issue Be aware that this is a sensitive issue and consider your own professional and consider your own professional development.development.

Where there was no voice , music Where there was no voice , music told the storytold the story

Jazz

Break the chains, create a new Harmony. What role can you

play?