Scholars from across the country gathered last Wednesday to commemorate the end of the trans-Atlantic slave trade with a symposium entitled, “200 Years Hence, 1807-2007: Abolition and Survival in the Atlantic World.”
History associate professor Bernard Moitt introduced the symposium, saying the 200th anniversary shouldn’t be underestimated.
Moitt set the tone for the symposium by asking the audience to remember the cruel conditions to which Africans were subjected, while also celebrating their lives and contributions to society.
“I didn’t come here to cry, but to have a good time,” he said. “These are the same people whose dignity was rubbed in the dust, but they got up and taught us how to love.”
Edward Cox, associate professor from the Department of History at Rice University, opened the series with a lecture, “British Slave Trade Abolition in Historical Perspective.”
Cox cited five factors that contributed to the end of the Atlantic slave trade, including economic decline and the political waning of the West Indies.
Others, such as VCU professor emeritus Philip Schwarz, brought attention to slavetrading in Virginia in his lecture, “Sold to Virginia.”
Grace Turner, a graduate student from the College of William Mary, said commemoration of the ban of the trans-Atlantic slave trade is important to her because of her Caribbean heritage.
“I’m from the Bahamas, and this anniversary is a major celebration for us,” Turner said. “To be able to hear discussions is awesome.”
Dawn Miles, an African-American studies major, said the conference conveyed an important message. According to Miles, the symposium is one of the places where history is revealed.
“The correct version of history will be brought to surface,” he said.
One of the themes of the day was the importance of talking about history.
“Whether it’s 10 million or 12 million, the experience of these people in the Americas is sometimes difficult to describe,” Moitt said. “But we do not need to sweep it under a rug.”
The symposium was an all-day event sponsored by the Alexandrian Society of the Department of History, along with the dean of the College of Humanities and Sciences and other departments.