Source link : https://london-news.net/londons-statues-of-slave-traders-confronted-new-plaques-expose-historical-wrongs-and-calls-for-accountability/
Plaques have been installed on the statues of slave traders in London, highlighting the “significant injustices” perpetrated by these individuals.
The City of London Corporation initiated a project called Revealing The City’s Past, aimed at recontextualizing the statues of slave traders, including former Lord Mayor William Beckford and former MP Sir John Cass.
According to the corporation, this initiative represents a “commitment to historical responsibility” for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.
The statues of Beckford and Cass now feature informational plaques that denounce their actions.
These plaques include writings from artist and heritage expert Rachael Minott, as well as poetry contributions from John Agard and Courtney Conrad.
William Beckford served as Lord Mayor of London twice in the late 18th century, amassing wealth through Jamaican plantations and the enslavement of Africans.
Sir John Cass, a merchant, MP, and philanthropist from the 17th and 18th centuries, also benefited from the slave trade.
In January 2021, the City Corporation initially voted to take down the statues but later opted for a “retain and explain” approach to provide historical context.
Chris Hayward of the corporation noted that the project has engaged “many talented individuals, especially voices from the Caribbean diaspora, who have long been marginalized in this narrative.”
He remarked, “This project exposes the significant wrongdoings of Beckford and…
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Publish date : 2025-07-01 13:17:00
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