Manifesto: Bi-centenary of the Abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade (Maafa).
Introduction
“The COBG’s stance is that 2007 should be a catalyst to invigorate and give focus to an agenda for change that improves the socio-economic and political position of Afrikan/Caribbean people in Bristol. This agenda would also influence national policy to improve the position of BME people, generally, in society.”
The slave trade was a holocaust committed against Afrikan peoples and we believe that this inhumane and wrongful act is still impacting on Afrikans wherever they live in the Diaspora and continues to blight the lives of Afrikans on the continent today. The fight for freedom and our continued quest for social justice in the education system, housing, employment, health, and criminal justice systems, and arts, culture, and sports demonstrate that Black people’s situation has not changed to any great extent. We have simply swapped one form of slavery for another.
Vision
Raise awareness of the abolition of the slave trade (Maafa), and seek to eradicate its legacy of racism and anti Afrikan sentiments rife in British culture whilst we promote social justice and reconciliation.
Purpose
Progress the agenda for change necessary to redress deep-seated disadvantage experienced by Bristol’s Afrikan Caribbean Communities and actively campaign against any commemorative events themed around the actions of a eurocentric abolitionist movement.
Aims & Objectives
Education
To raise awareness amongst Afrikan Caribbean’s in particular and Bristol in general, of the National commemoration acknowledging 200 years since the 1807 abolition of the enslavement of Afrikans known as the “slave trade”.
Leadership
To develop Black leadership and encourage Afrikan Caribbean communities to act in unity in support of our mental liberation.
Legacy
To identify and explain the relationship between the historical enslavement of Afrikans and contemporary patterns of local, national and international racism, inequality and injustice.
Policy
To lobby and campaign for policy changes to redress socio-economic and political disparities facing Black people with respect to education, housing, criminal justice, and culture, arts and sports.
Networks & Reconciliation
To work with like-minded partners and when appropriate form alliances to ensure 2007 is a year of reconciliation where the City comes to terms with the fullness of its history and the fragility of its race relations. The alternative is that 2007 widens existing divisions.
Moral Integrity
Using the history of the city as a platform, we will lead Bristol to stand against all forms of slavery wherever it occurs for example the developing world debt crisis and unfair trade, the international trafficking of women for the sex industry and exploitative child labour.
Through all this we will remain true to our commitment to the COBG’s principle of non-participation in any plans or programmes that do not meet the expectations, needs and aspirations of Afrikan Caribbean people.