Liverpool Visit

On the 26th September we visited the National Slavery Museum in Liverpool as part of our A-Level History course. I had briefly learnt about the conditions that the slaves faced, the push towards equality and being treated as equal citizens but I was thoroughly unprepared for the Museum. On display were several harrowing tools that were used on the slaves: handcuffs fit for a small child, masks designed to degrade and whips used to maim. This made the experience in the museum uncomfortable, but necessary. Personally, it showed me how despite the horrific nature of that period it cannot be ignored; it must be talked about so that we as a species can ensure that no one else is treated the way they were. Accounts from the children of slaves showed that they didn’t know where they originated from. The trip showed how vital it is that slavery is not forgotten and that despite the progress that has been made, we still have ample work left to do. (Teny Kuti, 13KDR)

I think the Liverpool trip was a really fascinating experience, the slavery exhibition had artefacts that displayed the cruel punishments used by slave owners on the slaves and it showed the extremely harsh treatment of the slaves. The screen that displayed the experience of the slaves on the ship was shocking. Overall, the experience was interesting as it provided a visual insight of slavery that we wouldn’t have experienced by just reading a text book. (Saba Bashir, 13AHA)

Visiting the International Slavery Museum allowed us to see the harsh realities of slavery first-hand, and see how elements from the transatlantic slave trade have remained ingrained in society, which made the experience as a whole solemn but interesting. Most of all, it was important and informative to see the involvement of the UK in the slave trade, something that should be a lesson for all of us. (Amritpal Kullar, 13MMI)