Launch of ‘Heirs of Slavery’ – a new group of people whose ancestors profited from British enslavement and the industries dependent on it

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The missive notes that the slave trade’s legacy continues to be felt in deep-seated injury and injustice
The missive notes that the slave trade’s legacy continues to be felt in deep-seated injury and injustice
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The descendants of some of the most prominent names in the history of British slavery today called on the British government to begin long-requested talks on reconciliation and reparative justice for the descendants of the 3.1m enslaved African people transported across the Atlantic by Britain.

Authors, journalists, businesspeople and a direct descendant of the Victorian prime minister William Gladstone are among the members of a new group set up to support campaigns to address ‘the ongoing consequences of this crime against humanity’.

“British slavery was legal, industrialised and based entirely on race,” said Alex Renton, one of the group. “Britain has never apologised for it, and its after-effects still harm people’s lives in Britain as well as in the Caribbean countries where our ancestors made money.”

The group includes David Lascelles (the Earl of Harewood), retired social worker Rosemary Harrison, businessman Charles Gladstone, the former BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, author and publisher Richard Atkinson, retired schoolteacher Robin Wedderburn, film director John Dower and journalist Alex Renton, who is son of a former Conservative cabinet minister.

Members of the group have publicly acknowledged that their ancestors’ wealth was in part derived from plantations worked by enslaved Africans, and for whom the slave-owners received compensation at British slavery’s abolition in the 1830s. Harrison’s ancestor was a slave-owner and Attorney General in Jamaica in the late eighteenth century. “We encourage the hundreds of thousands of people in Britain with similar family histories to explore and acknowledge them. Until the painful legacy of slavery is recognised by the descendants of those who profited from it, there can never be healing,” said Richard Atkinson.

“I joined this group in an attempt to begin to address the appalling ills visited on so many people by my ancestor John Gladstone,” said Charles Gladstone.

The group and their families have all made private donations to tackle poverty, poor education and other issues affecting the descendants of the enslaved in Britain and Caribbean countries. “This group wants to move beyond personal donations, which can never be enough,” said Rosemary Harrison. “We wish to offer our energy and support to the existing movements, led by Caricom and others, that are seeking reparative justice from the European nations and the institutions that were enriched by the industries dependent on enslaved African people.”

Caribbean countries whose people endured slavery and its aftermath are now calling for the former colonial powers to invest in their health and education systems, and for the cancellation of debts. Meanwhile the group is in conversation with British people descended from the enslaved of the Caribbean countries, and who experience racism, poverty and inequality that derives from it. “I would like to listen and learn from the descendants of the enslaved to find out what would best help them in their lives today. Please tell us how apology and repair, led by the British nation, should work,” said Robin Wedderburn.

“Those of us in this group share a dark history, one that we are endeavouring to be open about in the hope of encouraging dialogue, friendship and reconciliation between all the people whose lives have been affected. We urge other people with a similar history, both individuals and institutions, to join us in speaking out,” said David Lascelles.

“After so long, the reparatory justice movement is gaining momentum in Europe. Whether it’s the Dutch government, the Church of England, or the British Royal Family, the enduring and painful legacy of slavery is finally starting to be acknowledged by those who benefited from it,” said Laura Trevelyan.

CARICOM’s Ten Point Plan for Reparatory Justice

For further information and more details, see statement at heirsofslavery.org

Twitter @heirsofslavery

To request interviews:

Laura Trevelyan (US time) email: [email protected]

Alex Renton (European time) + 44 7956 079392

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