British BLM protesters tear down a statue of a slave trader and throw it in the river
community » Discussions » Category » News & Politics » Discussion » British BLM protesters tear down a statue of a slave trader and throw it in the river
They should have melted it down and sold it. They could have had a beer and pizza party with the money. Someone will rise it up and probably do just that.
In 1680 he joined the Royal African Company (RAC) company that had a monopoly on the west African slave trade. It was formally headed by the brother of King Charles II who later took the throne as James II. The company branded the slaves – including women and children – with its RAC initials on their chests.
It is believed to have sold about 100,000 west African people in the Caribbean and the Americas between 1672 and 1689 and it was through this company that Colston made the bulk of his fortune , using profits to move into money lending.
He sold his shares in the company to William, Prince of Orange, in 1689 after the latter had orchestrated the Glorious Revolution and seized power from James the year before.
Colston then began to develop a reputation as a philanthropist who donated to charitable causes such as schools and hospitals in Bristol and London. He briefly served as a Tory MP for Bristol before dying in Mortlake, Surrey, in 1721. He is buried in All Saints Church in Bristol.
His philanthropy has meant the Colston name permeates Bristol. Besides the statue , there is Colston’s, an independent school, named after him, along with a concert hall, Colston Hall, a high-rise office office block, Colston Tower, Colston Street and Colston Avenue.
Campaigners have argued for years that his connections with slavery mean his contribution to the city should be reassessed. It was decided in 2018 to change the the statue’s plaque to include mention to his slave-trading activities but a final wording was never agreed.
“Whilst history shouldn’t be forgotten, these people who benefited from the enslavement of individuals do not deserve the honour of a statue. This should be reserved for those who bring about positive change and who fight for peace, equality and social unity,” the petition reads.
all's well that ends well
They should have melted it down and sold it. They could have had a beer and pizza party with the money. Someone will rise it up and probably do just that.
Right where it belongs, at the bottom of the river.
Leave it to the British. Haha