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On the 20 April 2004, an important measure was put before the House of Commons, which if delivered properly could benefit all through the dissemination of knowledge, promotion of discourse and opportunity for understanding.

The measure taken was the early day motion (EDM 1010) which calls for a 'National Memorial Slavery Day' and was proposed by Louise Ellman, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside. In summary it aims to recognize the role Britain played in the transatlantic slave trade, that many of Britain's Black community are descendants of enslaved Africans and that slavery is a crime against humanity. It also seeks to make the teaching of the slave trade a mandatory part of the National Curriculum and recognizes that many people in Britain want to learn about this period in history.

On its own the EDM would provide an important tool for learning about a Holocaust which helped establish the modern world, and with this in mind it should be remembered and discussed in much the same way as more recent holocausts that have involved Europe; such as that that occurred to those of the Romany culture or Jewish faith in Nazi Germany.

Education is an important factor in exploring, discussing and understanding this issue, and I believe there should be a place within the national curriculum to study it, particularly in a wider context for example with its role in establishing the modern world and its subsequent role in International Relations. However, other events that have had a similar impact on regions or states should also is studied so as to access a global understanding of this phenomenon and the nature of man.

The EDM highlights the important fact that many people who now make up British society have ancestors whose lives were impacted upon by the type of slave trade indulged in by Britain 400 years ago, particularly so for those of the African Diaspora on who many of the impacts are still being felt in whichever states they have settled and in particular on their much changed homeland.

For those in all communities who wish to learn about the slave trade I would suggest they get their money's worth and use the library. The national curriculum in an obscure way does provide an opportunity to learn about Black Peoples throughout the world at Key Stage 3 in the subject area of History. This is attempted by studying either the economic triangle associated with slavery or the Black Peoples of America, their loss of land and

the struggle for those that arrived there as property. This is a narrow view of an event that has had an impact on black people, but it is not about black people.

For me this is the where the problem lies when considering these issues. The conditions for a proper knowledge based discussion should be encouraged, by addressing the following points:

However some slavery practiced throughout time by some civilizations and cultures allowed slaves the opportunity for freedom, rights and social mobility whereby ex-slaves became leaders.

Surely if you are going to have proper debate and education about slavery, these issues need to be considered?

As well as this, other myths need to be debunked and no longer taught as a key part of education as fact, e.g. the common error often described as fact that suggests Christopher Columbus discovered America.

If this country wants to truly discuss and represent the impact slavery has had on Britain's Black community, it must begin with the proper representation of the Black Community's contribution to the history of Britain. It should then be attempted for the contribution to Civilization and the World as a whole, the latter part being the only true vehicle for representing Africa and its Diaspora. This should be explored in the widest sense if those who value knowledge and understanding in education value truth.

So two questions spring to mind. Though parts of the EDM are welcomed, it is not clear what is truly trying to be achieved, and one must wonder who among the Black community was consulted in preparing its proposal. I know I wasn't and being involved in education I wouldn't have minded.

This is an important element that the Black community must become involved in - setting the agenda for the study and understanding of the Black community in this State, region and across the World. Britain in the later modern age has historically been a standard bearer for education and held much influence on its delivery throughout the world. However, on this issue it has come late to the table, but better late than never. The timing could not be better for at this moment there are proposals for changes to the education system in Britain being planned; at last a difference can be made.

The fact that the Home Office wants to forget about the issues has to be examined. It is suggested that there is a fear to acknowledge the issue in case it leads to a demand for reparations. This is a rational fear in regard to repayments made in past European involvement in holocausts. However, the practicalities of repayment would make this fear seem irrational if repayment was to be conducted along the same lines as those in the past. This is where the Home Offices understanding is lacking and even more reason for the discussion to be has in society and education as a whole.

It is an issue that will not go away and needs to be addressed. Simply hoping and instructing people to forget about it shows that along with many other issues relating to the Black community the institutions that govern it do not yet understand it. It will not go away; it would be like asking one to forget about the world wars and European holocausts' impact on the later modern age.

What is also not understood is that why the debate on reparations has not even begun. For those whom it has affected need to discuss it. The more it is ignored the more it has to be discussed. Why? This way, there will finally be an opportunity for the issue to be understood. I have a suggestion. Reparations are important to the homeland, though money would go a long way to restoring the balance in the World for all those concerned and particularly those in Africa, it will not solve the problems that dog the continent and it's Diaspora.

Eradication of the African debt would be a beginning. The recognition, understanding and the re-establishment of the flexible yet autonomous and interactive cultures, civilizations and spirit of Africa past and it Diaspora would go some way to restoring balance to the World. If possible and given the chance Africa as it did in the past could once again contribute in great measure to knowledge, balance and truth in the World.

This is the debate the Black community must engage in. The debate must be instigated by honorable, benevolent leaders; with an emphasis on consensus building and co-operation, as soon as possible. Action is needed today for our future tomorrow.

What of the British education system? It once could lay claim to being one of, if not the best in the world. At present it seems to be wrestling with its purpose and redefining its role. Though it has been recognized that it needs to respond to a changing world, be it technology or business it also needs to address the need of understanding other cultures and enabling cultures to understand each other.

Education has a clear role to play in this. How this is best achieved is unclear, but the objectives are not, 'the eradication of ignorance'. To my mind this refers to both the educators and then the student and is best achieved in a culture of understanding rather than tolerance.

In regard to knowledge about the Black community there are existing resources that would enable the understanding of the culture, role and contribution to humankind. A first step is that they would need to be acknowledged in mainstream education.

As regards the issue of slavery, The Black Holocaust for Beginners, by S. E. Anderson is (ISBN 0-86316-178-2) a start, and instead of publishers withdrawing these titles from print as recently discovered, they should be an integral part of the national curriculum.

If you feel inclined to support the EDM 1010 on the introduction of a Slavery Memorial Day, if only for the reason of encouraging a debate and discussion, please urge your democratic representative to sign up for it by sending an email/letter to them:


	Empowering and influencing the black community through history, family genealogy and heritage. Supported by the Musician Ronnie Laws