Pulling down and/or removing statues commemorating people involved in the European slave trade and/or Britain’s involvement in India during the colonial era is an interesting action. It is immediate and has a direct impact, which many people who are angry about the current situation of racism in our society, both direct and subtle, can pour their frustrations into. Nevertheless, it will be a mixture of direct action combined with peaceful demonstration and conversation and discussion that will slowly move the situation forward towards positive change for black people. Changing attitudes and restructuring the white supremacist structures of the state take time.
The many statues throughout the UK that represent and honour people who participated in the slave trade and other components of Britain’s colonial era, should be removed from public display. However, they should not be destroyed, but placed in public museums so the public can learn about these individuals who are apart of our history. Information on their lives in both negative and positive aspects should be displayed to give a full picture of their life and contribution to Britain’s passed, in order to help shape our future. History is about learning. It is only by understanding our colonial and global history than we can realise the mistakes made and learn from them to create a better, more inclusive future for everyone. We must not hide away and remove our pass, but use it for a greater good.
As for changing all street names of people who profited from colonialism and/or the slave trade, I’m less sure at the moment.
These are the personal thoughts of me, Tony Giles, blind world traveller and author.
