Slavery and Colonialism Are Everyone’s History

[GodessOfThunder]

I was on a thread recently where posters were complaining of slavery and colonialism being “shoehorned” into exhibitions, and were strongly “pushing back” against it being given prominence as a topic in museums and at historic sites. Indeed, transatlantic slavery and colonialism often seem to be regarded as niche historical subjects of interest more to people of colour, and involving only a small number of rich white slave owners and colonial officials.

This perception however, does not reflect reality. Transatlantic slavery effected not only millions of Africans, but pretty much everyone in Britain too. Similarly, colonialism effected not only millions of subjects in the British Empire, but everyone “at home” also. The economy these projects fuelled changed what ordinary people ate and drank and what they wore. They changed how British people thought about non-European people in ways that continue to shape their mindset and create injustice today. Slavery and colonialism helped fund the Industrial Revolution and the jobs people in Britain performed, and much more too.

I’m not suggesting anyone today should feel guilty for these activities. But, these subjects are still all too often not regarded as part of all of our histories. This means attempts to give them proper prominence are met with resistance. If we are to understand British history at a public level properly there is still a great deal of work to do.

Is it fair to summarise this comment as “I agree with the regulations?”

It gives my unbiased answer to every point made by MCout. It gives my interpretation of what has been given to teachers. Do you feel the guidance given is incorrect and which of these points do you feel are wrong?

where is this implied?

I disagree with this for older pupils (if the regs apply to them - ignore if they don’t)

“Teachers also should not present opposing views to the fundamental underpinnings to our society”

Meanings are constructed vs through a binary. If you understand the opposing view you understand the “fundamental underpinning” idea better.

I take the fundamental underpinnings of our society to mean everyone.
The examples given by the guidance are freedom of speech and protection from violence and criminal activity, do you think any of these are things that we should change? What basic undrpinnings of UK society do you think should be up for debate at school level?

It’s fine to look at the counter positions for any “fundamental underpinning”.

This is quite a sensitive area and if anyone interested in slavery and colonisation, I would really recommend the below podcast.
It is a fantastic series.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/empire/id1639561921?i=1000611374663

But which of these underpinnings would be suitable for debate among teenagers? The thing you seem to be asking for is being implemented in Schools. What you seem to be suggesting is far too deep for eg 14 or 15 year olds to fully comprehend without some life experience.

After all these are the same stroppy teenagers who slam doors and scream I hate you when asked to wash the dishes. Leave deep level sociology cultural discussions for university etc. Where they are stroppy teenagers who 'we just don't understand' and ignore. Couple of years of being skint will soon make them realise how well off they were.

does history of slavery at universities etc , teach how slavery begin originally in ancient times ?

Yes, Lord Penrhyn owned Jamaican plantations but the residents of Bethesda weren't exactly fond of him either. The quarrymen were treated appallingly and the Great Strike was the longest in British history.

I'm in New Zealand and references to the Empire and colonization are now wholly negative, leastways among the intelligentsia. A reappraisal and acknowledgment of the harm done to Maori is totally appropriate in my view and it's long overdue.

But what is it also happening is a narrative that everything bad in NZ society is due to British colonialism. This clearly makes no sense as modern NZ society is wealthy and based on cultural values imported with colonialism. A high profile NZ historian recently made the claim in the media that domestic violence was not known in Maori society. There is no evidential basis for this claim, and plenty of evidence for the opposite. The fact that she made it anyway suggests a line that academics are expected to take.

We have moved from a simplistic celebration of empire to a simplistic scapegoating of it, and I see no advantage in this, and certainly nothing I'd regard as education over ideology. In fact, it potentially undermines every civil institution built in colonial NZ, including Parliament and the courts.

The problems that do exist in NZ society won't be solved by the diagnosis being pushed, although no doubt it will be implemented and we will all be told it's worked regardless of anything else.

I see the same happening with discussions on the UK's involvement transatlantic slave trade. In the past, emphasis was on its abolition due to a campaign by evangelical Christians. The particular fact has now been replaced solely with the slave trade itself. It's one partial narrative being replaced with another for political motives so I find myself unenthused by it all.

As my DC’s school (state, non selective) several of these debates are already taught successfully.

You have me a bit puzzled then. We have since you started this thread discovered that

1. History of Slavery has been taught for countless years and is going to be given further inclusion in 2024.
2. You imply that certain topics like societal underpinnings weren't be included in schools. Then go on to say your own children are covering them.

Can you please tell us which of these underpinnings are under debate at your local school?

TomPinch
Thank you for that. Incredibly interesting to hear perspectives from outside the UK.

Let me ask you a question: would you say you are prejudiced against Black people?

Because I think you are based on your contributions to this thread.

Why won't you answer the simple question of which basic underpinnings of British society need debated in your opinion?

No I am not prejudiced against anyone. Questioning what appears to be a false narrative is not racism, preujudice or anything else you may wish to call it.

This report popped up on the BBC news today and gives an interesting story of a mans struggle to help end slavery.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-66787944

So reading through the responses what leaps out to me is that what is referred to as British or English colonialism or oppression is really the wealthy taking advantage and becoming more wealthy.

I think this is an important point. People who argue that all of us in the UK benefitted from slavery because our country got ahead economically, etc., are correct in principle but the distribution of the proceeds has been very inequitable and the direct benefits were conferred on a few aristocratic and similar families who made fortunes. Moreover, the economic state of the working classes has been poor until post-WW2: they were exploited economically by those who had built fortunes and were effectively wage slaves with little prospect of advancement. Their position has improved somewhat since 1945 but we still live in a very unequal society which seems to be deteriorating. The economic development of the UK has also depended on invention, innovation and the availability of its natural resources. We cannot say whether the UK might not have advanced further in the absence of slavery because we don't know what other advances might have been made if, for example, ports like Bristol and Liverpool had failed to develop and industrial development had had to find alternative ways of raising capital other than the proceeds of slavery. Those of us alive today were not responsible for the slave trade and in my view almost all of us need feel no guilt for historical events, nor, given the inequitable distribution of benefits, need we feel the need to offer reparations. I except those who have inherited great wealth from slavery.

I agree. Debate, with a suitable referee or chairperson is what I felt was one of the better parts of my education. Debating a issue which may or may not be contentious, particularly if you hold opposing beliefs but are required to defend the opposite view, after research helps develop excellent personal qualities.