Transatlantic Slavery

In 2007 there have been events and exhibitions across the country to mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. At The Herbert we have been working with students from black supplementary schools to explore the legacy of slavery through historical research and performance workshops.

The young people are taking part in a programme of study visits to museums and archives which hold original material relating to slavery. They are keeping journals of their experiences and discussing their responses to the collections and displays. Their feedback will help to inform museums about the best ways of presenting this subject to a young black audience. As part of this project The Herbert has also worked in partnership with the Coventry West Indian Community Centre to mount a touring display from Anti Slavery International. The exhibition Campaigning Against Slavery from the 18th to the 21st Century was shown for Black History Month in October and was accompanied by a half term events programme.

The young people's historical research has been the basis of workshops led by performance poet Dreadlock Alien. Participants have written poems and musical pieces which they performed at a successful event at the West Indian Community Centre. For further information on the project contact Stacey Bains on 024 7678 5169 or email stacey.bains@coventry.gov.uk

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