The Scars Of Slavery And Racism

 By Adeze Ojukwu  

The horrific Atlantic slave trade officially ended about 200 years ago. However, the scars are still epitomized by the systemic racial discriminations against people of colour in Western nations and their institutions. 

Stories of bitter memories of the humongous cruelty displayed by the white merchants against their human commodities were rehashed recently, at this year’s International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The commemoration, as in previous editions, centered around the brutal abduction of thousands of young men and women from West Africa to Europe and the Americas. The account of this vicious debasement of West Africans was vividly chronicled by a publication by Ricenpeas.org. 

Slave Trade And Its Abolition – Emergency Call To End Modern-Day Slavery

By Kpedator Elorm

Over 6 centuries ago, slavery and human trafficking caused despair and little or no regard for human dignity in the world. More than 150 years after the abomination has been condemned to the ruins of history, there are numerous indications that slavery is not yet a thing of the past, but rather a dark secret in present day society and its name face-lifted to modern-day slavery.

23rd August is International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition. The day was instituted by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on the 23^rd of August 1998. Although the day was commemorated in many countries around the globe, the focus was on the Island of Saint Domingue now Haiti where the uprising which set forth events leading to the eventual abolition of the Transatlantic Slave Trade began. Each year, the United Nations invites people all over the world, including educators, students and artists to organize events that centre on the theme of informing people about the historical events associated with the slave trade, the consequences and to promote tolerance and human rights.