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CERES: Centre for Education for Racial Equality in Scotland

2007 marked the bicentennial of the abolition of slavery in Britain.

Although the 1807 Slave Trade Act was not fully effective until later decades, it was an important step in the process of outlawing British involvement in transatlantic slavery. It remained however a long road to abolition. The British Government has put together a calendar of events to mark the abolition of slavery as well as acknowledging Britain’s role within the slave trade.

For more information on this issue, and Scotland’s role in triangular trade including links to resources for teachers, visit One Scotland. The Real Histories directory. The University of Aberdeen media archives Scotland’s historical influence in the transatlantic trade. The Scottish Archive Network and Anti-Slavery both have interactive sites illustrating this role.

Bibliographies on slavery include historical and historical fiction works detailing life during slavery.  Additionally, Scotland and the Abolition of Black Slavery 1756-1838 accounts the country’s role in the abolition process.

While the bicentennial is certainly a time to reflect upon the actions established in 1807, it is also a reminder to work against current forms of slavery in the world. Modern slavery, or human trafficking and forced labour, are a daily reality for an alarming number of individuals. The BBC, PBS, and Freetheslaves.net all have informative sites on the subject which include videos and personal testimonials. To get involved or contact organizations working towards ending slavery, visit antislavery.org, the Polaris Project, and globalaware.org

Other interesting links:

Small Island Read 2007- the biggest reading initiative that has ever taken place in Britain. Small Island written by Andrea Levy is part of a wider national initiative commemorating the ending of the trade and exploring slavery’s continuing influence upon multicultural Britain.  Excellent site links to other literary resources from poets and authors like Benjamin Zephaniah and Mary Hoffman.

CASBAH Survey Project provides information about Glasgow- the second city of the Empire

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