Stories of Courage: Resistance to Slavery and Unity against Racism
Wikipedia traces back to the slave trade being transatlantic and established in the mid-17 century and referred to as the Triangular trade. The uprising against the slave trade started on 23 August 1791 in the then Saint Domingue (the Republic of Haiti), which played a crucial role in the abolition of the slave trade. UNESCO recognised 3 August as the “International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition” and observed for the first time in 1998. The slave trade lasted for more than four centuries, and the estimate puts the number of people affected at over fifteen million. The observation is also in memory of all the victims of the practice of the slave trade. Observations like “The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition” are reminders of what humans are capable of. The discrimination and tend to be selfish and look only for what is good for him even at the cost of the suffering of others is the point of worry. With all the intelligence and ability, humans continue to commit mistakes. The material gain directs humans to take such a horrendous route. In recalling the suffering undergone by several million people, humans must take a determined call to eradicate discrimination in all forms and work to bring all-around prosperity. Imbalanced societies would impact everyone, whatever attempts one makes to isolate them.
It is time to abolish human exploitation once and for all and to recognise the equal and unconditional dignity of each and every individual. Today, let us remember the victims and freedom fighters of the past so that they may inspire future generations to build just societies.
Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO
The uprising against the slave trade started on 23 August 1791, in the then Saint Domingue (the Republic of Haiti). The agitators demanded the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, which played a crucial role in the abolition of the slave trade. UNESCO recognised 3 August as the “International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition” and observed for the first time in 1998. Before the UNSECO declaration, various countries like Haiti and Senegal celebrated the day. Such observations are essential to reminding the world of what sufferings a section of people have gone through and introspect. The slave trade lasted for more than four centuries, and the estimate puts the number of people affected at over fifteen million. The observation is also in memory of all the victims of the practice of the slave trade. In 1807, the British abolished the slave trade, but slavery persisted in the colonies until its abolished in 1838.
Wikipedia traces back to the slave trade being transatlantic and established in the mid-17 century and referred to as the Triangular trade. The first side of the triangle is the export of goods from Europe to Africa; the second side relates to the exchange of enslaved Africans for goods. The third part of the triangle was the return of goods to Europe from the Americas. The transatlantic slave trade benefited the European colonial powers (Portuguese, the British, the Spanish, the French, the Dutch, and the Danish). Racial discrimination and abuse have become the byproducts of the slave trade. One of the byproducts of the slave trade is the emergence of new diseases, such as smallpox, malaria, plague etc. The decline in profitability is also one of the reasons for the slave trade to end.
In the early 21st century, several governments apologised for the slave trade. The Slave trade has ended in the form it existed in the 16th century, but slavery remains. Centuries of colonial rules in countries like India left an impact on the way people lived. Exploitation continues; migration to far-off lands in search of greener pastures is called a sophisticated slave trade.
Observations like “The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition” are reminders of what humans are capable of. The discrimination and tend to be selfish and look only for what is good for him even at the cost of the suffering of others is the point of worry. With all the intelligence and ability, humans continue to commit mistakes. The material gain directs humans to take such a horrendous route. In recalling the suffering undergone by several million people, humans must take a determined call to eradicate discrimination in all forms and work to bring overall prosperity. Imbalanced societies would impact everyone, whatever attempts one makes to isolate them.
Toons: Shreya
Logs: M Sai Baba
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