[Many thanks to Peter Jordens for bringing this news to our attention.] Ross Hempseed (The Press and Journal) studies on a brand new plaque that acknowledges the legacy of slavery outdoors Powis Gateway in Outdated Aberdeen. An exhibition exploring the legacy of slavery within the north-east will open in spring subsequent 12 months within the Sir Duncan Rice Library at Aberdeen College. [Shown above, Powis Gateway was constructed with funds received following the abolition of slavery. Image: Aberdeen University.] Hempseed writes:
The historic gateway, constructed by the Leslie household, was funded utilizing compensation following the abolition of slavery in Britain’s Caribbean colonies in 1834.
Now owned by Aberdeen College, the construction is a logo of the profiteering from slavery between the Caribbean and north-east Scotland. The gateway was constructed utilizing the £7,000 – £600,000 in at the moment’s cash – that the Leslie household acquired from the British authorities as a result of lack of their slaves. Slaves who labored for the Leslie household didn’t obtain any cash for the years of struggling and unpaid labour they had been pressured to endure.
The Powis Gateway represents historic inequality, additional highlighted in the course of the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. The new plaque makes clear the historical past behind the location and is a part of Aberdeen Metropolis Council’s commemorative plaques scheme.
‘A puzzle piece to understanding our college.’
It’s also a part of a wider program to recognise and handle the hyperlinks between Aberdeen College and north-east Scotland and slavery.
In 2020, Richard Anderson was appointed lecturer within the historical past of slavery and is at the moment conducting a two-year analysis mission into the legacy of slavery within the area. Mr Anderson mentioned: “Powis Gateway is probably the most tangible hyperlink between the College of Aberdeen and slavery-derived wealth. “It is necessary that this historical past is mirrored extra clearly so that every one those that cross via the gates can higher perceive their legacy and the erection of this plaque is one step on this work. [. . .] We recognise that rather more remains to be required each in contextualising the historical past of the Powis Gateway, understanding and addressing the advantages which nonetheless exist at the moment which had been constructed on wealth from slavery and in decolonising our curriculum.”
Aberdeen College scholar president Vanessa Mabonso Nzolo mentioned: “We contemplate this plaque as a puzzle piece to understanding our college; as a bit of invaluable proof to assist us hint and navigate the educational practices, tradition, and information which can be embedded within the historical past of empire.”
An exhibition exploring the legacy of slavery within the north-east will open in spring subsequent 12 months within the Sir Duncan Rice Library.
For authentic article, see https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/information/aberdeen-aberdeenshire/4860970/slavery-plaque-erected-outside-powis-gateway-in-aberdeen Additionally see, Jon Hebditch (Aberdeen Dwell) at https://www.aberdeenlive.information/information/aberdeen-news/new-plaque-installed-aberdeen-university-7652949