Discussing the North Atlantic Slave Trade

During the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, The Empire Café took place to create opportunities to explore the relationship with the North Atlantic slave trade through a range of activities. The excellent anthology of poems "Yonder Awa", submitted by Scottish and Caribbean poets, on Scotland and the North Atlantic slave trade was provided free of charge. On Friday, I attended the inspiring discussion with an informed panel of guest speakers including Lesley Riddoch and Professor Jeff Palmer. Evidence was shared about Glasgow's economic boom funded by the profits from the Slave Trade during the 18th and 19th centuries. The sons of wealthy Scots migrated to better themselves as slave masters on sugar plantations in Jamaica and the West Indies and  tobacco-producing areas of the United States, including Virginia. The families involved were the Smiths of Jordanhill, the Stirlings of Keir, the Cunninghams of Craigend, the Glassfords of Dougalston and the Speirs of Elderlie. 

The outcome of the evening was the recognition that closer links are needed between Scotland and the countries where there were slave owning plantations particularly Jamaica. 

Specific resources appear to be needed for schools to extend educational opportunities about Scotland and its links to the North Atlantic Slave Trade. Glasgow has many buildings and street names associated with the North Atlantic Slave Trade and it is essential that further discussion takes place about how to support wider public awareness of how this came about.

There is a desire to strengthen cooperation between communities, businesses and government organisations based in Scotland and Jamaica.

Useful link:

The Empire Cafe - http://www.empire-cafe.org/about