Liverpool Trip

The International Slavery Museum in Liverpool was a staggering experience as it provided a shocking insight into the slave trade and exposed us to the significant impact it made. We first viewed the cultures in Africa that predated and were present during the slave trade and saw how diverse Africa actually was. There were many different forms of art, religion and customs which proved that Africans were not lesser beings. The section which gave physical examples of the torture that slaves had to endure was very overwhelming: the neck collars, iron masks, bondage contraptions, whips and ropes created a very unsettling atmosphere. What further emphasised the significance of the slave trade was how the prolonged effects of it, even after it was abolished, were so easily integrated into society. The very anti-black motives depicted in every day entities such as minstrel shows, ‘whitening’ cream, children’s toys and books mirror those same ideologies during the slave trade and these views were only suppressed some twenty years ago. After observing the museum, it was clear that these effects were inevitable; the enslaving of 12.5 million Africans and the mainstream widespread ideologies and stereotypes of a whole race were never going to be extinguished after the abolition of slavery.

Abdussamad Mehdi 13KDR

My visit to the International Slavery Museum entailed an enlightening yet concise reflection of the struggle from African origins to the growth of urban communities and culture in the West. Our History A-Level class just got over an hour to go through the timeline of the 18th century to present day events that revolved around slavery and liberation, we went around at our own pace and appreciated the reflection upon the various exhibits individually. Starting with the model size replica of a typical plantation within Southern America, I was given more perspective on where the slaves would reside as well as how they were treated like objects and abused, particularly also with illustrations of them with mouth and arm harnesses, which certainly made me feel a bit uneasy at the time. They were unfortunately designed by the southern white owners to control the slaves, acting both as a physically and psychologically painful punishment. Jumping to the 20th century, I was taken with a mix of shock and awe when witnessing a KKK outfit showcase in glass. This made my recent lessons on civil rights opposition all the more real and intense in confirming the fact that thousands of people were willing to wear this at one time. In contrast, the playlist of pop culture music through the ages by artists of African descent (available via the headphones provided) assured me that their cultures have not only remained prevalent, with the preservation of artifacts like tribal masks and horns to communicate before a digital age, but developed greatly and resonated within our modern societies.

Sid Raii 13BGE