What's it all about?
World Class, Big Wheel theatre company, rapper Akala and 1Xtra DJ Mista Jam, are on a mission to take the story of slavery into schools.
Through drama and hip hop workshops, the children produce raps and human freezes that chart the story of slavery.
Bristol Workshop
Bristol was involved in the transatlantic slave trade for over 150 years. By 1730 Bristol was the leading UK port. They had approximately 20 ships, transporting thousands of Africans across the Atlantic each year. The trade of the goods from the slave plantations helped make Bristol a beautiful and wealthy city.
So what better place to have our first workshop.
For more information on Bristol's local history, check out BBC Where I Live
Liverpool Workshop
Liverpool was a late comer to the transatlantic slave trade, but they had over taken Bristol as the leading UK port by 1740 with estimated 131 sailings a year. The city made it’s money from not only slave trading, but also the building and repair of the ships, imported goods such as cotton and sugar and the production of exportable goods like pottery. Liverpool merchants strongly opposed abolition.
We headed to Liverpool for our second freedom workshop.
Find out more about Liverpool's role in the slave trade.
London Workshop
Britain's envolvement in the slave trade began when a slaving expedition was lead by John Hawkins and set sail from London to Sierra Leone in 1562. London was the largest slaving port until Bristol took the lead in 1730, despite this it remained the centre for financing slavery, insuring ships and obtaining cargoes for Africa. The trade was supported by London merchants, noble men, members of the Church of England and some of the royal family.
Next stop on the Freedom Workshop tour was Eltham, East London.
Find out more about London's role in the transatlantic slave trade
Hull Workshop
Although not a trading port, Hull played a role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade. William Wilberforce was an MP for Hull. He and Thomas Clarkson campaigned for an end to the British trade in slaves. For 18 years he tried to introduced abolition motions in parliament and raised public awareness of slavery with flyers, books, and petitions. In 1807, the slave trade was abolished, but this did not free those who were already slaves. It was not until 1833 that an act was passed giving freedom to all slaves in the British empire. More on Wilberforce
Our last workshop was in Hull, and we were very impressed with the childrens' knowledge of the history of slavery.
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