Liberation 1838 - 175th anniversary of the end of slavery

The Windrush Foundation, a non-profit organisation that promotes racial equality, has succeeded winning initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund for its Liberation 1838 events.

The Windrush Foundation seeks to end racial discrimination and promote improved community relations by making people more aware of the contributions of Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) people to British society.

Liberation 1838 is a project that will mark the 175th anniversary of the end of slavery in the British Caribbean. In 1838, African slaves in the British Caribbean colonies were freed ahead of schedule following the 1833 Emancipation Act. The act had stipulated that all slaves had to be freed by 1840. Trinidad became the first colony to free its slaves completely in August 1838. Liberation 1838 will also focus attention on the migration of people from the Caribbean to the UK and the positive contributions they have made.

The HLF is a fund that uses money from the National Lottery to preserve and celebrate Britain’s history and an initial award has been given to the Foundation in order to fund the planning stages of the project. After full development is completed, Windrush Foundation will have to submit another application to the HLF in 2012 that outlines in more detail what the project entails. Only after this second step can Windrush receive a complete grant.

If funding is received for Liberation 1838, the project will do research into the passing of the 1833 Emancipation Act and the process and effects of the 1838 liberation. It will also include workshops, seminars, a website, and two travelling exhibits about the liberation experience and aftermath.

Project director Arthur Torrington hopes that the “Liberation 1838” events will give Black Britons a greater recognition and understanding of their past by looking at the story of their ancestors.

He stated,

“As a community, it is crucial that the stories of our ancestors' journey from slave plantations in 1838 be preserved and remembered by their descendants in the UK."

He added that the commemoration,

“will assist Black British men and women's appreciation of that history and heritage, strengthening self-esteem and sense of identity.”

Torrington explained that work will begin promptly on planning the project, using the initial grant they have received.

“During the following months, project workers will organise commemorative events and create a website, providing information to the public.”

The ultimate goal of the project is to tell the story of African people and their descendents in the Caribbean and in Britain. If a firm grant is received, the Windrush Foundation will kick off “Liberation 1838” in 2013.

Danny Mucinskas