December 2007 Newsletter

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of you around the world,

2007 was an eventful year.  As you know it commemorated the bicentenary of the abolition of the slave trade, with the Act being passed in Parliament in 1807.  It also marked a pivotal moment in my own journey

Talk on “From Slavery to Reconciliation”

The culmination of powerful events during 2007 brought me to a final resolution on where I now stand on the issue of apology for slavery – which I shall come to in a moment.

As a result of my experiences I am making plans for speaking tours in 2008 and am making connections with schools and colleges, and other agencies and organisations.  This is particularly relevant in view of the fact that the history and legacy of slavery will form part of the National Curriculum later this year.

My talk is entitled “From Slavery to Reconciliation – A Personal Viewpoint” and includes a PowerPoint presentation.  My aim is to provoke people into thinking in new ways about the past and how it effects the present so that we move into a better future, based on respect, no matter what the colour of a person’s skin, nor their background.  If you know of someone who would be interested in hosting my talk, I would be very pleased to hear from them.

March 2007: Charleston – London

A group of African Americans came over to the UK to participate in events in London during the final week of March.  Almost before they could catch breath on the day of their arrival, some were taken down to the BBC studios in Southampton to take part in a live interview, in order to explain the reason for their visit. We also had an opportunity to visit a school where a class had been studying the history of slavery.  The boys from various backgrounds asked intelligent questions, obviously being well acquainted with the subject.  A couple of days later we went to the Premier TV studios in London where some of the group took part in a radio interview on a women’s programme and there was a TV interview – which you can view under the heading “Interviews”.

Let me tell you something about the group.  One of the people was a remarkable lady of 90 years old who had campaigned with Dr. Martin King Jr (you can view her story under the sections “Interviews” and “Personal Stories”).  Another lady is involved in the promotion of ties between Americans of African descent and their heritage in West Africa.  Another two ladies are descended from people who were brought over from Barbados and London to work on Drayton plantations.  And finally a brother and sister who are my African American cousins (the connection is from the relationship between Henry Grimke and Nancy Weston).

We were fortunate to take part in many significant events, three of which particularly stand out.

Westminster Abbey

Firstly, the group attended the Commemoration Service at Westminster Abbey.  Incredibly, we were shown to seats near Michael Drayton’s tomb.  But we were able to move to a seating area where we could see “the action”.  Besides the normal elements in a service – prayers, responses, hymns, readings and sermon – there were also African drummers and a demonstrator who I believe was protesting against the hypocrisy.  I personally was not offended.  The Queen and Prince Philip were in attendance.  The Archbishop of Canterbury gave a very thought-provoking address.

Walk of Witness

On another occasion we took part in the Walk of Witness.  We assembled at the top of Whitehall, where the press were gathered.  All of us walked down towards Parliament Square and then we crossed Lambeth Bridge where we were asked to pause while a wreath was taken onto a barge, which moved to the centre of the river, where the wreath was placed on the water in memory of all the sailings of the slave ships from the port of London.  One of our number knelt down with tears in her eyes as we recited the Lord’s Prayer.  Her overwhelming impression of the day was that there was an atmosphere of honesty with everyone.  We then all assembled at Kennington Park to remember as we listened to addresses and prayers, sang hymns and watched a school perform a powerful drama as a representation of the slave trade.

The “Zong”

The third event took place at Tower Bridge, through which a replica of the notorious slave ship – the “Zong” sailed, escorted by the Royal Navy ship, HMS Northumberland.  The “Zong” moored at Tower Bridge pier, where a civic reception took place on board and to which two of our number were invited.  Then, once the exhibition had been opened by the Mayor of London, we were able to go down and view the very moving exhibition.  What was particularly significant for me was standing with a descendant of Drayton slaves in front of the place, where the Africans would have been stacked head to foot. (You can view the arrival of the ship in the section “Documentaries”)

Reluctantly we all had to say goodbye, as the group went back to the USA, however it wasn’t long before I was following their tracks in September.

September 2007: Christchurch – Charleston

The reason for my visit was to meet up with those who had been given the task of unearthing all the plantation records of both the Grimke and Drayton records in the Carolina Lowcountry.  A day was set aside, entitled “A Conversation with Drayton Descendants” so that people, whose ancestors had worked in the plantations, could bring their family documents, photos, etc, to be incorporated into a brand new website which is to be launched at the end of March 2008.  Also, each family will receive a book as an historical record.

I would like to discuss the issues of apology and reparations.  It is true to say that some are adamantly opposed to making a public apology for fear of receiving a bill for reparations.   However, I view the notion of reparation in a much wider sense – repairing relationships between individuals and communities.  We need to acknowledge both the feeling of alienation that many young people from the black communities experience, as well as the cancer of racism which still pollutes the earth today.  Nevertheless, the past can be redeemed and social integration become a reality

I have witnessed at first hand deep-felt friendships between descendants of slave-owners and descendants of their slaves.  The experience is nothing short of miraculous and shows what can take place when people are given the time and space to tell their respective family histories and ultimately discover what can only be described as an unbreakable bond of love.

Global Day of Reconciliation

Joshua Jogo, with whom I’ve been in contact with for some time and whom I consider a good friend, is the president of Dream Africa (www.dreamafrica.org.uk).  Early October there was a significant gathering in London of those of European descent and Africans of the continent of Africa as well as Africans of the Diaspora (i.e. West Indies and the Americas and Europe), for the sole purpose of giving and receiving an apology for slavery.  The meeting was entitled “Global Day of Reconciliation”.  When I first phoned up Joshua beforehand, I told him I did not feel able to attend because I was not personally responsible for what my ancestors did.  That same night, I had a dream in which I was facing someone I did not recognise.  I told this person I knew the question he was asking me and then said I would give the answer.  I woke up with the certain knowledge I was going to give a public apology for my ancestors’ involvement in slavery.

When it was my turn to speak at the meeting I first of all mentioned that in September 2006 and 2007 I stood at the spot where Africans who had been bought by the Draytons in downtown Charleston would have been brought up the Ashley River by boat and would have landed, with their first sight of Drayton Hall.

The Lady from India

I then said that for both of my visits to Charleston I stayed with a minister and his wife, and their church is just down the road from Drayton Hall and Magnolia Gardens.  In 2006 during my first visit, at the second Sunday morning service, a lady from India was there.  She said that whenever she visited a place she never went as a tourist, but prayed at sites of significance.  This was her fourth visit to Charleston.  On her previous visit she said God had told her that next time she would meet someone from England.  She pointed at me and said God had fulfilled His promise.  She then explained about the slave auction block.  If you go to downtown Charleston you see what looks like a Greek temple with stairs either side of a balustrade.  She said the slaves would be brought from underground cells, each one hauled in chains up the left-hand staircase to the top, and then sold and brought down the right-hand staircase.  The Indian lady said she identified with all the slaves, as she stood at the top, and she saw Jesus among the bidders in the street.  He paid the highest price – his own life – and she came down the right-hand staircase – a slave of Jesus, but free.

I then said to the assembled gathering in London at the “Global Day of Reconciliation” mentioned above, that like her, I was a slave of Jesus and free.

Apology

I stated that some of my ancestors must have been guilt-ridden for being slave-owners.  My great-great-great uncle, who was a wealthy landowner as well as being an Episcopal minister, broke the law in two ways.  Firstly under the guise of teaching the Scriptures, he taught his slaves how to read and write.  Secondly he solemnized the marriages of his slaves.  His aunts campaigned against slavery at great personal cost, since they were ostracised by the rest of the family.  I also know that there were others in the family who cruelly treated their slaves – much of this, documented by the two aunts.

I said I took the shame and guilt of the past upon myself, I then apologised.

The response was amazing.  There seemed to be a release for many.  Some were even in tears.  I am utterly convinced that this was the right thing to do, but we need to build on this in terms of establishing deep relationships across the community.  Jesus Christ is the one who has broken down the wall of hostility between us, so that we can see each other as we truly are – human beings, made in the image of God and rescued from the slavery of sin.  Jesus said you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.  I have been privileged to experience this freedom in many people’s lives.

Respond / Connect

I would very much like to hear from you wherever you live.  I have visitors to my website from all over the world.  Perhaps you could talk about your experience and shed further light on this very important subject of reconciliation from the dark days of slavery which, as we all know, still exists today in many parts of the world.

Hope you have a successful and peaceful 2008 and I do look forward to continuing to be in touch with you.

With best wishes

Bill